Wilder Communities Officer

Sussex Wildlife Trust; Brighton; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and Flexible Working

25 Days Annual Leave

Pension Contributions

Life Assurance

Health Cash Plan

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Cycle to Work Scheme

Volunteering Days

Café Discount

Job summary

Sussex Wildlife Trust is seeking a Wilder Communities Officer to coordinate a programme of community engagement for wildlife. You will work with local groups, volunteers and individuals, connecting people with nature and encouraging ownership and care for local wildlife.

The role involves giving practical advice to create and maintain spaces for nature, building partnerships and funding, and supporting citizen science. Regular travel across Sussex, especially West Sussex, is required.

Qualifications

• Two years' experience in community engagement, conservation, outreach or similar role.
• Experience working with community groups, stakeholders and volunteers.
• Strong knowledge of Sussex wildlife, habitats and conservation issues.
• Good safeguarding practice and ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver an inclusive programme of community engagement for wildlife.
• Collaborate with community groups, volunteers and individuals to connect people with nature.
• Provide practical advice to create, enhance and maintain spaces for nature.
• Develop partnerships and funding opportunities for the programme.
• Support citizen science and biological recording initiatives.
• Represent SWT at events, talks, meetings and community activities.
• Regular travel across Sussex, particularly West Sussex, to project sites and meetings.

Skills

Communication

Public speaking

Community engagement

Stakeholder management

IT skills

Driving license

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Title: Wilder Communities Officer

Location: The Keep, Brighton, with regular travel across Sussex, particularly West Sussex

Salary: £29,330

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week - some out of hours work (weekends and evening) required

Closing Date: 16th October 2026

Interview Date: 4th November 2026

Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT)

To deliver our new strategic plan - Our Wild Sussex - we need people with bold and innovative ideas to help us to achieve our ambitions for local wildlife and wild places. We are committed to restoring and protecting at least 30% of Sussex land and sea for nature, inspiring one in four people to take meaningful action for wildlife, building a stronger more inclusive and diverse organisation and becoming a net zero and climate resilient organisation. We are looking for the best and most talented people to join our team and help us deliver this exciting and ambitious strategy. We are keen to hear from you even if you don't have all the skills and experience outlined in the Job Description but have the potential to grow into a role.

We particularly welcome applications from people currently underrepresented in the conservation sector, including disabled people, people from Black, Asian and other ethnically diverse backgrounds, people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, non-graduates, and people from geographically diverse communities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

The Role

As Wilder Communities Officer, you will coordinate and deliver an inclusive and inspiring programme of community engagement activities that inspire action for wildlife.

Working collaboratively with community groups, volunteers and individuals, you will help people connect with nature, learn about the wildlife that lives alongside us, and inspire them by creating a greater sense of ownership and care for local wildlife.

You will provide practical advice and support for creating, enhancing and maintaining spaces for nature, while helping to develop new opportunities, partnerships and funding for the programme. You will also support citizen science and biological recording initiatives, and represent Sussex Wildlife Trust at events, talks, meetings and community activities.

A significant part of this role involves supporting communities across Sussex, particularly in West Sussex, so regular travel to project sites, meetings and events is required.

The Person

We are seeking a confident communicator who enjoys working with people and is passionate about helping wildlife recover across Sussex.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate at least two years' experience in a community engagement, conservation, outreach or similar role, including experience of working with community groups, stakeholders and volunteers. They will have strong knowledge of Sussex wildlife, habitats and conservation issues, together with good practical conservation skills and an understanding of safeguarding good practice.

They will also demonstrate an awareness of the barriers some people face in accessing and engaging with nature, and a commitment to supporting inclusive participation. The successful candidate will be able to inspire others through their enthusiasm for wildlife and nature recovery and will demonstrate a personal commitment to taking action for wildlife.

We are especially keen to hear from those who have a particular wildlife specialism or area of expertise that could help engage and inspire communities - whether that be a love for a particular species, a skill in citizen science, or something else that will enable a diverse range of communities to take meaningful action for nature. Excellent communication, presentation, organisational and IT skills are essential, along with the ability to build effective relationships, manage a varied workload and work independently when required.

A full, clean UK driving licence is essential

Benefits

• Hybrid and Flexible Working- Supporting healthy work-life balance through flexible working arrangements where role requirements operationally allow.
• 25 Days Annual Leave - Plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 5 years' service; entitlement pro rata part-time.
• Pension Contributions - With an optional salary sacrifice scheme to help maximise your retirement savings.
• Life Assurance - Pension Scheme members receive 2x salary cover; non-members receive 1x salary cover.
• Health Cash Plan - helping towards the cost of everyday healthcare expenses.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - Providing confidential support, advice and wellbeing resources.
• Cycle to Work Scheme - Helping you save money while supporting a healthier and more sustainable commute.
• Volunteering Days - Dedicated two days paid to support causes and communities that matter to you.
• Café Discount - Enjoy discounted food and drinks at our Rye Harbour Discovery Centre cafe

For more detailed information see the What we offer page in the Recruitment Pack.