31945 - Fisheries Technical Officer

Environment Agency; Wallingford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental agency in the UK is seeking a Technical Fisheries Officer to provide high-quality fisheries advice and help protect significant chalk stream habitats. The ideal candidate will have a degree in a relevant field and skills in fisheries management and fish identification. Excellent communication and organizational skills are also essential. This role promises a dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal growth.

Benefits

Training and support for new starters

Flexible incident response elements

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent professional experience required.
• Good understanding of fisheries management is essential.
• Full driving license is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Provide fisheries advice to internal and external customers.
• Focus on chalk stream habitats including the River Kennet.
• Deliver environmental outcomes and build relationships.

Skills

Practical fisheries management techniques

Fish identification

Influencing skills

Communication skills

Education

Degree in a relevant subject

Job description

Overview

This is an exciting opportunity to work as a Technical Fisheries Officer within the Fisheries Operations team based in Thames. This is part of the area Fisheries Biodiversity and Geomorphology department.

Successful candidates will be expected to provide high quality fisheries advice to a variety of internal and external customers. Taking a risk-based approach to help protect and improve the water environment and water-dependent wildlife. This position focuses on some of the most significant chalk stream habitat in the UK including the River Kennet.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality fisheries advice to internal and external customers, taking a risk-based approach to protect and improve the water environment and water-dependent wildlife.
• Focus on significant chalk stream habitat in the UK, including the River Kennet.
• Deliver environmental outcomes and build strong relationships within the team and with internal and external stakeholders.
• Be well-organised, able to work independently and use initiative.
• Contribute to the fisheries duty officer 24-hour out-of-hours roster as part of a flexible incident response element.

The Team

The Environment Agency is committed to having an inclusive workforce reflecting the communities we serve. We embrace diversity and provide training and support to new starters. As part of induction, you will be provided with all the equipment required for your role. The Fisheries Operations team uses a risk-based approach to protect and improve the water environment for fisheries. We provide advice on high-risk permits, consents, licences and planning applications to ensure biodiversity, fisheries and ecosystems are protected and, where possible, enhanced. We promote angling opportunities with partners, deliver the rod licence checking programme, provide incident response and undertake river habitat enhancement work.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• A degree in a relevant subject or equivalent professional experience.
• A good understanding of practical fisheries management techniques and excellent fish identification skills.
• A Full driving licence.

Desirable

• A good general understanding of fisheries legislation and law.
• Self-motivated, able to act independently with a proactive approach.
• Strong influencing skills with experience of engaging key stakeholders.
• Confident communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to manage an unpredictable workload and balance conflicting needs and priorities.