6835 - River Derwent SSSI Restoration Higher Officer - Leeds

Natural England; Leeds; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Natural England in the United Kingdom is seeking a River Restoration Officer to deliver priority restoration actions for the River Derwent SSSI/SAC and to support the Derwent Catchment Management Plan, as well as Local Nature Recovery Strategies and recovery of priority habitats in the catchment.

The role will focus on in-river and floodplain restoration within the SSSI/SAC, working with landowners, NGOs and other stakeholders to develop medium-term actions for 2025–2030 and to drive post-2030

Responsibilities

• Engage with landowners/land managers and stakeholders to deliver improvements to the River Derwent SSSI/SAC.
• Coordinate links to other relevant projects and help achieve the Restoration Plan.
• Work with partners to develop and submit funding bids for identified schemes.
• Develop designs for river restoration schemes and secure delivery on the ground.

Job description

The Yorkshire River Derwent Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) covers a 70 km stretch of the river from Ryemouth, through Kirkham Gorge and the Lower Derwent valley floodplain, to its confluence with the River Ouse at Barmby on the Marsh.

A Restoration Plan ‘Restoring the Yorkshire Derwent River Restoration Plan’ (June 2010) was produced by the Environment Agency (EA) and Natural England, and was designed to restore the SSSI/SAC towards favourable condition.

The River Derwent River Restoration Officer will help deliver priority river restoration actions to benefit the River Derwent SSSI/SAC and also help support delivery of the Derwent Catchment Management Plan, The North and East Yorkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategies and in restoring Priority Habitat in the catchment.

The post will also develop medium term actions and projects identified in the wider River Derwent River Restoration Plan between 2025 and 2030 (“the Restoration Plan Actions”).

The restoration projects will be developed and delivered via various routes, including in partnership with landowners, NGOs and other stakeholders, supported by a range of funding streams.

Although the role will be primarily focused on the delivery of in-river and floodplain re-connection projects within the SSSI/SAC, the officer will also work closely with other NE staff working on River Derwent restoration work through Countryside Stewardship, Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF), Yorkshire Water and Environment Agency casework, and projects at the Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve (NNR).

The role reports to a Senior Manager for line management, while technical advice and support is provided by our Responsible Officer for the River Derwent SSSI, Senior Freshwater Adviser and other staff from relevant work areas.

Job Description

Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities

The post holder will undertake the following key tasks:

• Engage with landowners/land managers and stakeholders, including statutory undertakers and agencies, to deliver improvements to the condition of the River Derwent SSSI/SAC.
• Drive forward restoration projects identified in the River Derwent River Restoration Optioneering Project’ (completed in 2025). This project identified 10 high potential restoration sites, and the River Restoration Officer will use the data and information gathered and contacts made in this project to develop and deliver several of these priority restoration projects. The Officer will co-ordinate links into other relevant projects and work in the catchment that will help to achieve the Restoration Plan.
• Work collaboratively with partners to develop and submit funding bids, in partnership with farmers, landowners and other interested parties for the schemes identified.
• Work with farmers, landowners and other interested parties to secure detailed designs for implementation of river restoration schemes and achieve delivery on the ground.
• Take additional opportunities to develop river restoration actions beyond the core priorities as they present themselves e.g. support NNR, CSF and Catchment Partnership work, and work with wider regulatory bodies to promote compliance.
• Plan projects and develop actions for the remaining optioneering study sites to prepare for post 2030 delivery.
• Provide Secretariat for the River Derwent SSSI Officer’s Group (stakeholder delivery group). Arrange quarterly group meetings, develop meeting agendas, collate minutes and manage actions.
• Deliver quarterly and annual progress reports on a schedule of work for the Project.
• Take responsibility for ensuring personal safe working in line with corporate guidance.
• This role will require close working with both area team and national colleagues to support and drive nature recovery.