Trainee Field Ecologist x8 – Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) Programme

The Team:

We are looking for candidates with an interest or experience in field survey to join the
Natural Capital & Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) project team. This is an entry level role
which will work alongside and learn from a supportive and growing national team, working on an
innovative environmental monitoring project. The role concentrates on training and development.
The aim is that this 12-month programme will give candidates the opportunity to develop and
enhance their careers further and is aimed specifically at those seeking employment within the
Field Ecology sector.

Do you have a passion for nature and the environment? Do you want to make a real difference and
secure significant environmental gains in the present and the future? Do you enjoy working in a
team? Can you see yourself advising communities and customers to maximise gains for the Natural
Environment?

If this appeals to you, a career at Natural England offers rewarding opportunities to secure
environmental improvements and play your part in creating a better future for people and
nature.

The priority work Natural England is delivering includes:

• Establishing a Nature Recovery Network to help wildlife thrive.
• Monitoring environmental changes to identify and help reduce the effects of climate change.
• Working with farmers and landowners to develop greener food production methods.
• Advising on plans for new developments to maximise gains for nature, and
• Providing ways for people to better connect with nature, including green social prescribing.

We are the Government’s Adviser for the natural environment, playing a vital role in delivering
the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, an ambitious vision which brings new opportunities
to protect and enhance and to achieve real outcomes for the environment.

Find out more about the work of Natural England at
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england 

The Evidence Services Team provides scientific and evidence leadership, services and support to
help Natural England operate as an evidence-led organisation. The Team is responsible for
delivering Natural England’s part of the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA). 

The NCEA is a transformative programme to understand the extent, condition and change over time
of environmental assets across England’s land and water
environments, supporting the government’s ambition to improve the environment within a
generation. Data will come from Earth Observation, professional field data collection, citizen
science and partner data sets. 

Natural England’s Terrestrial NCEA delivery is organised into projects:

1. Mapping and Earth Observation – Spatial data and maps on natural capital to inform national
   and local decision making and delivery.
2. England Peat Map – Mapping the extent and condition of England’s peatlands.
3. Field data collection – Data on habitats, soils, landscapes and species to understand the
   condition of natural capital assets.
4. Citizen science – Working with citizens and community science to fill gaps, provide local
   and landscape scale information and engaging the public.
5. Data mobilisation and integration and reporting – Making NCEA, partner and volunteer data
   available for analysis, integration and use, producing high quality evidence products by
   analysing and integrating NCEA data.
6. Programme management – Managing Natural England’s NCEA programme.

This role sits within Project NE3 – Field Data Collection. The England Ecosystem Survey work
package will use professional survey as a tool to provide high quality data to assess the state
and condition of biodiversity, ecosystems, and natural capital assets within England’s habitats
and landscapes addressing data gaps, including soils. 

Job description 

Successful candidates will form part of a team of new Trainee Surveyors led by Field Surveyors
familiar with all aspects of the NCEA programme and experienced in Field survey and botanical
ID. During the main survey season the role will be predominately field-based and involve
practical learning elements associated with the ability to carry out a range of habitat surveys
across England. Your learning and development is likely to include botanical surveying on a
range of habitats (mixture of lowland, upland, freshwater, coastal etc) and will include data
collection associated with assessing landscape features. It will also include soil surveys,
which will extend into the winter months. When on site you will be mentored by experienced
Field Ecologists. Assessments of skills and knowledge will take place throughout the programme
using both internal and external resources. Your training will include understanding of a
mixture of traditional and Geographical Information System-based recording/collection tools to
enable georeferenced data collection and spatial mapping. You will also have the opportunity to
learn and understand wider Ecological survey protocols and field work by shadowing a range of
Natural England Teams during your 12-month contract.

Key tasks and development goals associated with role.

• Learn how to undertake targeted vegetation and soil surveys and record landscape and
  habitat features.
• Improve your knowledge and identification of native botanical species.
• Be able to plan, organise (including risk assessments), monitor, and measure all elements
  of survey delivery.
• Contribute towards the development and improvement of ecological survey methodology and
  explore opportunities for improvements, enhancements and/or innovations in the field data
  collection process.
• Be confident and able to liaise with landowners, public and staff regarding survey, access
  and site safety.
• Be part of the wider England Ecosystem Survey Team and contribute to survey/project updates
  and share findings to relevant audiences, e.g., via webinars, articles and team and project
  meetings as necessary.
• Improve communication skills via regular liaison with other Natural England teams,
  landowners and managers, and members of the public.
• Build and develop strong internal and external working relationships.