Wilder Communities Officer

Location: Woods Mill Nature Reserve
Salary: £30,671 (Band 5)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 35 hours
Closing Date: 5th July 2024
Interview Date: 18th July 2024

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) is a conservation charity for everyone who cares about nature in
Sussex. We focus on protecting the wonderfully rich natural life that is found across our
towns, countryside and coast. By working alongside local people we create opportunities for us
all to connect with nature and for nature to thrive in even the most unlikely places.

We are now in a critical decade for change to protect and restore nature with the help of more
people taking action for wildlife. Now is the time for an ambitious action plan to match the
scale and urgency of the challenges we are facing. Our new Strategic Plan – Our Wild
Sussex – was launched in April and sets out our vision and commitment to turning the
tide for wildlife so that by 2030, nature in Sussex will be in recovery.

To deliver our new strategic aims, we have recently completed a comprehensive restructure of
the charity to align to our goals. This restructure has generated a suite of new roles and
opportunities which will enable us to achieve our ambitions of restoring and protecting at
least 30% of Sussex land and sea for nature, inspiring one in four people in Sussex to take
meaningful action for wildlife, building a stronger more inclusive and diverse organisation and
becoming a net zero and climate resilient organisation.

In order to encourage diversity and inclusivity within the environment sector, we particularly
welcome applications from people who have an ethnically or geographically diverse background,
who are non-graduates and/or are living in economically deprived areas

The Role

Experience and skills

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a passion for working collaboratively with
communities to improve green spaces providing practical advice and support on a range of
habitats. They will need to provide evidence of a minimum of two years’ experience working in a
similar role including experience of leading and working with volunteer groups. Excellent
communication and IT skills are also required.

The role is part of a small team of officers and managers within the Communities Team that work
together to provide engagement opportunities terrestrially and along the coast.

The Person

Experience and knowledge

Driving licence

We are seeking an experienced candidate with a proven track record of developing and delivering
inspiring ways to support a wide range of community groups and projects. The successful
candidate will have a demonstrable knowledge of wildlife and conservation issues including
practical advice for the creation, improvement and maintenance of community spaces. They will
be able to engage a wide variety of audiences and support the Trust in their aim to involve a
more diverse and inclusive audience. The ability to communicate appropriately with groups with
varying levels of skills and knowledge is key as is tailoring how they might be best supported
to take action for wildlife.

Working collaboratively across the team and the wider Trust is encouraged as part of finding
effective methods of community support.

Applicants will be expected to travel to different locations across Sussex, although
predominantly in West Sussex, and therefore a clean diving licence is essential.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays each year (pro-rated for part time staff)
• Pension – company contribution from 6% and employee contribution of 3%
• Life Assurance – Pension Scheme Members 2 x Salary, Non-Pension Scheme Members 1 x Salary
• 2 days paid leave for volunteering each year
• Flexible working policy
• Enhanced Sick Pay
• EAP
• Employee discounts
• Informal car share arrangements

For more detailed information see what we offer page in the Recruitment Pack on our website.