Project Officer/Senior Project Officer

South East Rivers Trust; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional environmental organization in the UK is seeking a Project Officer/Senior Project Officer to lead river and catchment enhancement projects. The role requires strong understanding of freshwater ecosystems and excellent communication skills. You will oversee projects, engage with stakeholders, and support practical delivery efforts to create sustainable environments. A great opportunity for skilled individuals passionate about environmental improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience in river and catchment enhancement projects.
• Ability to work across various catchment areas.
• Knowledge of environmental project funding.

Responsibilities

• Lead on smaller and medium-scale river enhancement projects.
• Oversee weir removals and fish passage easements.
• Support wetland creation and Sustainable Drainage Systems.

Skills

Understanding of freshwater aquatic ecosystems

Excellent communication skills

Ability to engage multiple stakeholders

Practical project delivery

Job description

Overview

Join to apply for the Project Officer/Senior Project Officer role at South East Rivers Trust.

Hours: full time 37.5 hours per week. Area: predominantly in the East of our region. This is an exciting opportunity to work in the Restoring Rivers & Catchments Team, developing and delivering a portfolio of physical enhancement projects on the ground. The Project Officer role is suitable for an experienced and knowledgeable individual to build on their existing skills, overseeing all stages of river and catchment enhancement projects; from conception to development, design and physical implementation. You can have practical impact and influence on the natural environment creating sustainable and healthy rivers for the future.

Note: This role is primarily in the East of the region but you may be required to work across the South East as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead on smaller and medium-scale river and catchment enhancement projects, from conception through to design and implementation.
• Oversee projects such as weir removals, fish passage easements (rock ramps, nature-like bypasses or technical fish passes), river re-naturalisation (habitat enhancements, reconnecting floodplains & palaeochannels, re-meandering, backwater creation).
• Support catchment management projects including wetland creation, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and Natural Flood Management (NFM) measures.
• Collaborate with staff, external partners and stakeholders, and provide guidance to Assistant Project Officers.
• Contribute to personal career progression within the team while supporting the wider organisation.

About you

• Able to apply understanding of freshwater aquatic ecosystems to design, oversee and deliver projects in this environment.
• Able to work across the catchment to support development and funding of projects.
• Excellent communication skills to engage multiple stakeholders.
• Willing to be involved in practical, hands-on delivery of projects.

About us

We are a fast-growing Trust focused on understanding and improving the natural environment in the South East of England, including rare chalk streams. We collaborate with energy and professionalism, guided by our values of delivering high-quality work, using expertise and science, building strong relationships, and bringing positivity and integrity to everything we do.

How to apply

Please click on the apply button to access and view the job descriptions. For details on how to submit your application, please click the apply button to be redirected to our website via CharityJob.

• a completed SERT Application for Employment form
• Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form (optional)

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We do not sponsor applicants from overseas.

Please note: This role is full-time.

We welcome applications to join a team committed to delivering high-quality environmental projects.