Ecology Officer (2013)

The Donkey Sanctuary; Sidmouth; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An animal welfare organization in Sidmouth is seeking an Ecology Officer to improve habitats for donkeys and wildlife. The successful candidate will support ecological research and coordinate habitat restoration projects. This full-time role requires at least five years of relevant experience and a graduate degree in ecology or a related field. Offering 31 days of holiday and hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

31 days holiday including Bank holidays

Wellbeing team

Healthshield plan

Free parking

Subsidised restaurant and shop

Qualifications

• Minimum five years relevant experience in ecology or nature conservation.
• Sound knowledge of UK wildlife legislation.
• Willingness to obtain a protected species licence.

Responsibilities

• Support donkey-centred ecological research.
• Coordinate habitat restoration projects.
• Manage species and habitat monitoring.
• Oversee conservation volunteer programme.

Skills

Project management

Species identification

Data management

IT skills including Microsoft Office, SharePoint and QGIS

Education

Graduate degree in ecology, environmental science, or related subject

Job description

The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships.

We have an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated, compassionate and highly organised individual with outstanding collaborative and interpersonal skills to join our dedicated Ecology Team. As Ecology Officer you will carry out a variety of tasks which deliver the ecology programme at Sanctuary sites, improving habitat for donkeys and wildlife through increasing biodiversity, sustainable land management and improving our understanding of donkey ecology. The programme adopts a One Welfare approach and promotes the mutually beneficial relationships between donkeys, environment and people, and a key feature of

the Ecology Officer role is to demonstrate this.

About you:

• A graduate degree qualification in ecology, environmental science, countryside management or related subject, OR equivalent expertise gained through other experience.
• A minimum of five years’ relevant experience working in the field of ecology, countryside management and/or nature conservation.
• Experienced in project management in relation to species monitoring, ecological research and/or habitat management.
• A sound knowledge of UK wildlife legislation and holding a protected species licence (or be willing to work towards one).
• Excellent UK species identification and habitat survey skills.
• A working knowledge of conservation grazing, regenerative agriculture, sustainable land management practices and/or current agri-environment schemes in England.
• Excellent data management, record-keeping and IT skills including Microsoft Office, SharePoint and QGIS or similar.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Supporting the delivery of donkey-centred ecological research studies and donkey grassland improvement projects.
• Coordinating habitat restoration and creation projects, including the development of site management plans.
• Coordinating species and habitat monitoring projects, including the development of ecological survey schedules and analysis.
• Facilitating our conservation volunteer programme, including volunteer recruitment and retention, and leading regular practical sessions which deliver team objectives.
• Providing technical advice, practical support and expertise to other departments, capital projects and maintenance work in relation to sustainable land management, wildlife and habitat legislation, compliance and conservation.
• Supporting the delivery of the team and organisational communication strategy, including sourcing suitable material for external and internal communications, and assisting with staff and supporter events, activities and training.
• Maintaining team equipment, tools, vehicles and machinery.

What we offer in return:

Based in Sidmouth, Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – this is a full-time, permanent contract starting as soon as possible, working 37.5 hours per week, 08.30-16.30, Monday-Friday. Flexibility will be required for occasional out-of-hours and weekend working.

The working pattern for this hybrid role will combine onsite and home working under our guiding principles for such roles, with onsite attendance currently anticipated to be 4 days per week.

Please refer to the FAQs section regarding travelling to work on our Candidate Journey page

31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service.

Wellbeing team.

Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.

Long service awards.

Healthshield plan –

• Reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership.
• Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets.
• Access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.

Free parking.

Subsidised restaurant and shop.

Closing date for completed applications: Thursday 25 September 2025.

Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised date and therefore encourage early applications.

The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer.

The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults), and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.

The Donkey Sanctuary also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and, for relevant posts, may request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

Please note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: We look forward to receiving your application, but we do ask you to complete this in your own words, and not to employ an Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tool or assistant. Applications that are considered not to be an applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted for interview.

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