Canal River Jobs
Job Title: Ecologist
Advertised Salary: £32,427
Base Location: Home-based with requirements for national travel.
We're the charity who look after and bring to life 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, because we believe that life is better by water. Every role across the Trust plays its part in transforming our canals and rivers into spaces where local people want to spend time and feel better, bringing wellbeing benefits to millions.
We currently have an opportunity for an experienced Ecologist to join our Environment and Climate action team within the S&I Directorate and is responsible for delivering the Trust’s strategy and policy on all environment and climate related sustainability issues, including environmental compliance as a minimum, improvement of our protected sites and achieving a net gain in biodiversity across our canal network.
The Ecologist will be responsible for providing professional technical input into the Trust’s strategic activities around nature recovery. This includes collecting and analysing information and data to support a long-term action plan to move more of our protected sites towards favourable condition and support projects that increase biodiversity and the abundance of protected species across the network.
The Canal & River Trust is in an ideal position, as a large landowner with blue and green corridors connecting habitats across the landscape, to carry out environmental enhancements using our local volunteer workforce to ensure that we improve habitats and support biodiversity. Planting the right trees in the right places, reconnecting old hedgerows and restoring or creating wildflower meadows and linear species-rich grasslands to provide a safe haven for wildlife and a destination for people to retreat to from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Reconnecting people with the nature on their doorstep and offering them opportunities to get involved in looking after ‘their patch’ through guided walks and talks.
Our aim is to support the work of the Trust as a whole, while conserving and enhancing the environment of the inland waterway network. Finding simple and innovative solutions/methods of work to ensure that the modern-day use of the waterways, their historical importance, the Trust’s legal obligations and strategic priorities are met through sustainable development, conservation and enhancement of the natural environment.
Location
The role will be based working from home, with the expectation to attend main regional hubs either at Milton Keynes, Birmingham, or Little Venice (Paddington), for collaborative working. This is a national role, requiring collaboration with teams in all six of the Trust’s regions. There will be an expectation that the successful candidate will be able travel to attend meetings or fieldwork throughout the regional waterway network.
Knowledge, Skills/Qualifications & Experience
Key accountabilities:
- Provide ecological technical advice as requested. This includes input into Trust EMS standards and tools and nature recovery projects.
- Contribute to the Trust’s Nature Recovery Strategy and associated sustainability initiatives, with a view to increasing biodiversity across the Trust’s network
- Contribute to national programmes of engagement with customers, volunteers, stakeholders and the general public to promote the value of waterways and the work of the Trust to increase the Trust’s reputation and influence and secure additional resources for our work, focusing on our key sustainability priorities.
- Work with regional ecology teams to implement relevant inspection/monitoring and maintenance programmes for environmental/soft estate assets within their geographical remit, (re-)prioritising work to suit available resources and within delegated authority levels.
- Contribute to the implementation of an environmental management system (EMS; including associated processes & standards) especially with responsibility for monitoring national uptake
- Collaboration with regional teams to maintain ecology and nature recovery performance data (e.g. GIS layers, ecological baseline and species location data)
- Assist in the development of environmental training & competency
- Contribute to corporate targets on raising public awareness of and support for the Trust especially through interest in our environmental assets.
- Contribute to external engagement and fundraising nationally to secure additional resources for the Trust, especially through interest in our environmental assets
- Displaying the Trust values and behaviours at all times
- Ensuring that diversity and inclusion are integrated into all aspects of Trust life and promoting inclusion by challenging behaviour, practices, actions, or decisions that are counter to the objectives of the Trust’s policies and values
Knowledge, Skills & experience
- Degree or equivalent in relevant discipline.
- Associate member of relevant professional institution, e.g. CIEEM, CIWEM, CIWM, IEMA, etc
- Proven postgraduate experience in application of technical knowledge within a business environment.
- Able to negotiate effectively with internal and external contacts to achieve desired outcomes for the Trust.
- Able to support other areas of the Trust’s business in an appropriate manner, taking account of overall business priorities.
- Knowledge of, and practical experience of operating within, UK & European environmental policy and regulatory frameworks
- Experience of operating within a customer service environment
- Understanding of Trust governance, financial controls and systems of compliance
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
What We Offer
Compensation is made up as follows: £32,427. Additionally, we also offer a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, great holiday entitlement (increasing with years of service) and numerous other employee benefits.
- 25 days paid holiday, increasing to 27 days after 3 years.
- Competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, where we will double your contribution to a maximum of 10%.
- Annual £200 personal learning & growth award to spend on any learning related activity – hobbies; aspirations etc.
- Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues – health; financial; lifestyle; well-being; domestic & neighbourly matters.
- Access to a range of employee benefits including – store discounts; boating holiday discounts; holiday purchase scheme.
- Expansive maternity/paternity provisions.
- Progressive access to learning tools and CPD.
- 2 days paid volunteering leave, volunteering for local community project work.
At the Trust we care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce brings with it a diversity of ideas, thinking and ways of working which enhances what we do as a Trust. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of. All candidates will be treated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by being assessed against the requirements for the job.
We believe that continuous personal & professional development are important, and through many Trust internal & externally supported development programmes we are pleased to support your ongoing growth and development in this role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We're the charity who look after and bring to life 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, because we believe that life is better by water. Every role across the Trust plays it's part in transforming our canals and rivers into spaces where local people want to spend time and feel better, bringing wellbeing benefits to millions. The role of Mooring Ranger is to support the effective management of moorings and responsible use of the towpath in the Trust’s London & South East region.
This is an exciting time for the Central London Customer Support team. Recent growth means we have additional new roles in the team, and we are looking to appoint 1 x full time (37 hours p/wk) positions. Within our London region we have an increasing number of boats registered on our waterways - they are busy, thriving places and The Regent's Canal is no exception. To support boaters who visit the capital, the Regent’s Canal has a number of pre-bookable mooring sites including Paddington Basin, Rembrandt Garden and Islington Eco Zone. As we strive together to ensure cleaner air on the waterways for all, the role of a Mooring Ranger is to support the effective management of the towpath moorings, pre-bookable moorings and Eco Mooring Zone. You will act as the primary point of contact for engagement, providing support and information to boaters, local people and residents.
Locations and coverage:
This is a central London role, focused on the Regent’s canal, from Little Venice to Limehouse, whilst also including frequent visits to the Rivers Lee and Stort in East London
As Mooring Ranger, your formal base will be our Little Venice office located near Paddington, however you will spend most of your time every week out on the towpath along the Regents Canal being highly visible, available and pro-actively engaging with our boaters and waterway customers specifically. You need to love engaging with others, sharing knowledge and facts, listening and educating and being responsive to enquiries quickly. This is an all-weather, all year around role, so you really need to like being outside! You will be working closely with other members of the Boat Licence Customer Support Team and will report to the Boating & Customer Services Manager.
This is a customer facing role, interacting all day every day with local residents, our waterway users and visitors, and we are keen to hear from people who can demonstrate an ability to communicate with individuals and groups effectively, and show exceptional ability to engage and care about every interaction you have. The hours are 37 hours per week and will be worked mainly Monday – Friday, however, weekend work will be required from time to time to support with activities such as regional event days.
Knowledge, Skills/Qualifications & Experience
About the role
On a day to day basis your role will be to:
- Establish an authoritative, yet friendly, customer-facing presence on the moorings sites.
- Patrol up to 5 miles a day
- Promote responsible and considerate behaviour amongst all Mooring users.
- Help monitor and manage the use of all moorings along the Regents Canal.
- Liaise with key stakeholders including customers, council officers, local police and Canalside residents.
- Mediate, resolve, record and investigate conflicts between towpath users, boaters and land-based neighbours, record, investigate and respond to complaints relating to moorings, use of the towpath, crime and anti-social behaviour.
- Produce and apply notices and letters to boats, personal property and other materials left on the towpath; and tags and temporary signs at mooring locations.
- Undertake towpath patrols and specific site visits to monitor mooring use, towpath use and Trust assets.
- Use smart-phone or handheld computer (tablet) technology to collect information on boats and to report moorings or towpath issues.
- Work with customers and internal colleagues to help resolve issues arising with paid for pre-bookable moorings (overstaying and payments)
- Manage and report any health and safety issues arising within your area and the surrounding areas.
- Report and where indicated address any defects with canal infrastructure and the Eco Mooring electrical bollard systems.
- Undertake minor works / operational tasks in support of good customer service, e.g. using small/power tools to replace signage, painting bollards and stencils, using burners to apply thermoplastic lettering etc. (training will be provided)
- Lead or assist on moving work boats for operational purposes (training will be provided)
- Support the Trust to implement corporate policies and objectives as required, e.g. delivery of winter mooring scheme, monitoring of boats, assisting with movement and/or removal of boats, towpath survey work, addressing rough sleeping, towpath campaigns etc.
- Maintain effective and efficient records and comply with all relevant reporting procedures.
- Wear body worn video during towpath patrols as and when required.
Additional information:
The role will involve regular working from, and travel to, different offices in the London & South East region, as well as occasional travel outside the region. Driving license is desirable as travel across the geographical patch and to some remote locations is to be expected.
The post-holder will be required to wear branded uniform (minimum of branded T-shirt/sweatshirt; and branded work trousers and outer jacket as appropriate) when on customer-facing duties, and appropriate safe footwear at all times.
About you
Skills, knowledge & experience - Essential
- Experience in customer service with excellent communication & relationship management skills including tact and diplomacy and conflict resolution skills when dealing with difficult situations
- Proven experience of working with volunteers/communities/supporter groups
- Understanding of local issues/customer groups
- Creative thinking
- Excellent organisational and planning skills
- Excellent presentation, verbal and communication skills
- Show integrity, fairness and consistency in decision-making
- Proficient in use of IT technology
- Demonstrate knowledge of, or interest in, boating or the inland waterways
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.