Species Recovery Engagement Officer 

35 hours per week

£27,021 - £30,060 per annum

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is one of the UK’s fastest growing nature conservation organisations and seeks to appoint a Species Recovery Engagement Officer.

Species recovery projects, by their nature, introduce a change and elements of uncertainty to the environment we manage. Inevitably they can attract a range of perspectives from stakeholders, which we must understand and consider at all stages of project design, development and implementation. Effective community engagement with people who live and work in an area, from the start, creates a platform for open dialogue on the potential costs and benefits of recovering a species. It lays the foundations to enable species and communities to co-exist and thrive, helping to ensure a project’s long-term success. This exciting new role will be crucial to enabling the successful recovery of native species into Yorkshire. It will have a particular focus on supporting stakeholder engagement and advisory work associated with pine marten recovery in North Yorkshire, a species that provides a missing link in our woodland ecology.  

The Species Recovery Engagement Officer will be responsible for developing a Communications and Engagement Plan to: identify key stakeholders and individuals with specific interest and/or influence in the target species; and understand potential issues and opportunities for species recovery in the area. The role will be able to think strategically about our stakeholders and work with partners to develop effective and innovative communications to engage people with the wider work of the project. As a skilled communicator, you will be able to enthuse and educate others; listen to and address genuine questions and concerns of stakeholders; and create engaging activities and content to increase awareness and education to facilitate species recovery.

• Experience in, or substantial understanding of, feasibility studies for species recovery and/or working on wildlife translocations, reintroduction/reinforcement, rewilding or ecosystem restoration projects.
• Experience developing and delivering public engagement and consultation initiatives in a countryside context and an understanding of developing stakeholder and public engagement methodologies. 
• Experience managing good working relationships with a variety of stakeholders/partners, particularly in challenging situations.
• Strong facilitation skills with the ability to bring individuals with different views together and facilitate an agreed approach.
• Education to degree level in social science or ecology related subject, or equivalent professional qualification within a relevant discipline.

 How to apply:

Please submit an up-to-date CV and supporting statement. When writing your supporting statement, please refer to the person specification within the job description, and ensure you describe your relevant knowledge, skills and experience relevant to the role. Ideally, your CV and supporting statement should be in an editable format, such as Word, so we can anonymise your documents prior to the short-listing process. Please DO NOT include any personal details (name, address etc) on your supporting statement.

Closing date: Monday 6 May at midnight 2024

Interview date: Thursday 16 May 2024

Please note that applications received after the closing deadline may not be considered. The Trust regrets that it is unable to give feedback on unsuccessful applications.

We are committed to creating a Movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone is able to be themselves and to reach their full potential. We want our people to flourish, just like nature.