Conservation Adviser - Forest of Bowland Priority Landscape

The Rspb; Dunsop Bridge; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An environmental organization in Dunsop Bridge is seeking a role focused on managing the Bowland Breeding Wader Survey and contributing to curlew conservation. The successful candidate will engage with farmers and partners to deliver conservation advice and will have excellent communication skills. A background in upland species habitat survey work is desirable.

Qualifications

• Experience in farmland advisory work and Agri-Env schemes is preferred.
• Confidence in advocating a position to landowners with differing views is essential.
• A full UK driving license and own vehicle are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage the RSPB Bowland Breeding Wader Survey on multiple farms.
• Contribute to curlew conservation through survey and advisory work.
• Deliver on-farm advisory work providing conservation advice.
• Engage with partners to deliver conservation team objectives.

Skills

Influencing others

Negotiation

Excellent communication skills

Working experience of upland species habitat survey

Tools

GIS software

MS Office

Job description

Overview

This role is key in building positive relationships with farmers, landowners, managers and with key partners and stakeholders so that our collective policies and messages are understood and furthered. The post holder will

Responsibilities

• Manage the ongoing RSPB Bowland Breeding Wader Survey on c.76 farms in addition to monitoring and reporting on the work plan and to develop further work plans and/or project ideas.
• Contribute directly towards curlew conservation in Bowland, through survey and advisory work and through organising physical interventions on the ground.
• Be responsible for delivering on farm advisory work through the provision of conservation advice and will help to deliver an advisory work programme focused on our Forest of Bowland Priority Landscapes, species and habitats.
• Play an important role in delivering the work of RSPB's conservation team, contributing to the delivery of the National Landscape Management Plan and the work RSPB's other partners including; United Utilities and the Bowland National Landscape Team and other eNGO's within the Priority Landscape.
• Have a key role in delivering projects.
• Working with volunteers

Qualifications and Experience

• The land management practices we seek to influence
• Influencing others and negotiating desired outcomes
• The ecology of upland breeding waders
• Working experience of upland species / habitat survey work
• Partnership working
• Farmland advisory work and Agri-Env schemes
• Confidence in advocating a position to landowners and managers who may have different views
• Excellent communication skills e.g. verbal, written and presentational
• Competence in the use of GIS and core MS office programmes

Desirable

• Full UK driving Licence and own vehicle (mileage paid)

Forest of Bowland

The Forest of Bowland is a large-scale open, upland landscape, encompassing rolling hills of blanket bog and upland heath, steep valleys, pockets of clough woodland, upland rivers and streams, no major settlements and a small, rural, very dispersed population. Above the moorland line, the landscape is predominantly managed for hill sheep farming and grouse shooting, whilst the lower ground supports largely pastoral farming with pockets of species-rich grassland, hay meadows, and wet flushes. It is nationally important for breeding wading birds and local farmers are at the forefront of efforts to conserve the area's breeding curlew, lapwing, oystercatcher, redshank and snipe.