Nature Unlocked Field Technician

THE FOUNDATION AND FRIENDS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS,KEW; East Grinstead; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Continuous learning

Flexible working

Employee assistance program

Job summary

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew invites applications for a Nature Unlocked Field Technician to assist researchers by setting up and maintaining equipment across 24 research plots at Kew Wakehurst. The role requires practical fieldwork and data collection in outdoor conditions.

You will work with the Field Technician to conduct LiDAR scanning, soil sampling, mast safety checks, and data management, with occasional visits to partner sites across Sussex and a driver’s licence preferred.

Qualifications

• Candidate must have a BSc in environmental science with field work experience or at least 2 years in environmental/ecological field work.
• Role is primarily outdoors; comfortable with adverse weather and uneven terrain.
• Driver’s licence required for visits to partner sites and access to company cars.

Responsibilities

• Set up and maintain equipment across 24 research plots.
• Assist with fieldwork such as LiDAR scanning, soil sampling, and mast safety checks.
• Collect data and perform basic data management following protocols.
• Work with researchers to set up new experiments and occasionally supervise fieldwork.
• Visit partner sites across Sussex as needed.

Skills

Field work experience

Education

BSc in environmental science

Job description

Nature Unlocked Field Technician

The Nature Unlocked team are looking for a Field Technician to assist researchers in setting up and maintaining equipment in the landscape at Kew Wakehurst. You will be working alongside our current Field Technician to set up and maintain equipment across 24 research plots and assist with additional fieldwork e.g. LiDAR scanning, soil sampling, and mast safety checks. The role will also involve data collection and basic data management following protocols. This is a very dynamic role as the research being conducted on site is growing and new research projects established. A typical day could see you checking batteries on equipment around the site, checking and collecting data from wind masts and weather stations, and working with or supervising researchers to set up new experiments. You will also occasionally need to visit our partner sites across Sussex where we have monitoring equipment set up.

The Nature Unlocked team are looking for a Field Technician to assist researchers in setting up and maintaining equipment in the landscape at Kew Wakehurst. You will be working alongside our current Field Technician to set up and maintain equipment across 24 research plots and assist with additional fieldwork e.g. LiDAR scanning, soil sampling, and mast safety checks. The role will also involve data collection and basic data management following protocols. This is a very dynamic role as the research being conducted on site is growing and new research projects established. A typical day could see you checking batteries on equipment around the site, checking and collecting data from wind masts and weather stations, and working with or supervising researchers to set up new experiments. You will also occasionally need to visit our partner sites across Sussex where we have monitoring equipment set up.

Nature Unlocked Field Technician

More details

We are looking for a candidate with a BSc in an environmental science with field work experience or a minimum of 2 years’ experience in environmental/ ecological field work.

This role is primarily based outdoors throughout the year; the candidate must be comfortable with working in adverse weather conditions. The candidate must also be comfortable with carrying field equipment sometimes for extended period over uneven terrain. This role will include unsupervised field working as such we are looking for a candidate who is comfortable working alone is diligent, organised and able to make good decisions on the practical aspects of putting monitoring equipment in the environment.

We also have equipment at two partner sites which will require visits every couple of months, the candidate should have a driver’s licence to enable them to use the company cars to access the sites.

Please note that the interview is provisionally scheduled for week commencing 9th November.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.

We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.

Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi.

The salary will be £35,380 per annum, depending on skills and experience [Grade C].

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

At Kew, our strength lies in the diversity of our people and the insights they bring. When you join us, you will find an organisation that values your perspective and lived experience. You will receive support to achieve your full potential and access opportunities to develop and progress. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is ongoing, shaped by the people who work here and the communities we serve. As a disability confident employer, we are breaking down barriers to be an inclusive workplace for everyone.

Whoever you are, and however you experience the world, there is a place for you to grow and belong at Kew.