Conservation Officer

Birmingham, Staffordshire
Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust

Are you passionate about nature’s recovery in our towns and cities? Do you want to play a key role in creating, restoring and managing habitats that help wildlife thrive across Birmingham and the Black Country? If so, we’d love to hear from you.

Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust is the leading charity working to protect and restore nature across Birmingham and the Black Country. We manage and enhance important habitats, work with communities to create space for wildlife, and inspire people to take action for nature’s recovery. Through practical conservation, ecological restoration, education, advocacy and community engagement, we are working towards a future where wildlife and people can thrive together.

We’re looking for individuals with strong practical conservation skills, excellent organisational abilities and a collaborative approach to working with others. Whether supporting learners, volunteers, community groups, corporate partners or contractors, you’ll be confident building positive relationships and helping others contribute to nature’s recovery. Above all, you’ll share our commitment to creating a wilder Birmingham and Black Country and be motivated by the opportunity to make a lasting impact for wildlife.

This is a flexible role, based in our offices at Centre of the Earth and EcoPark, Birmingham with an expectation of 3 or 4 days per week in the office or at sites. Frequent travel across Birmingham and The Black Country is expected, but with the option of some home working where appropriate. Occasional travel nationally may be required.

Take a leading role in managing land at our engagement sites, including EcoPark and Centre of the Earth, while developing and delivering Wild Work Days with corporate volunteers. You’ll work with volunteers, contractors and communities to deliver practical conservation projects and help maintain high-quality habitats for wildlife.

Job Description

Job Title: Conservation Officer

Department: Nature Recovery

Location: Centre of the Earth & EcoPark or other site/location

Responsible to: Conservation Manager

Responsible for: Volunteers, placements, contractors, trainees and any team members assisting with project work

Purpose of the Post: To be a key member of the Conservation Team, working collaboratively with the wider Nature Recovery and Engagement teams to support the management of the Trust’s nature reserves and engagement sites to a high standard, support the delivery of funded projects and contracts, and engage with local communities.

Key Responsibilities

Main Objectives:

• To lead the management of land at EcoPark and Centre of the Earth to enable the Trust’s delivery of nature-centred engagement.
• To develop and deliver the Trust’s Wild Work Days with corporate groups.
• To contribute to the delivery of the Trust’s nature recovery projects across Birmingham and the Black Country, including through biodiversity creation and enhancement work on sites outside of the Wildlife Trust’s land holdings.
• To prepare, implement, and monitor site management plans.
• To contribute to the management of Wildlife Trust nature reserves to a high standard, as exemplars of urban nature conservation.
• To assure compliance with health and safety best practice in all aspects of the Wildlife Trust’s work, including contributing to the Wildlife Trust’s Health and Safety Committee where requested.

Working with volunteers, communities and partners:

• Oversee and manage contractors both on the Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves and on other sites as required.
• Work and consult volunteers, community members, and other stakeholders, to manage Wildlife Trust sites and reserves.
• Help train and support volunteers in habitat management techniques, species identification, and the monitoring of species and habitats.
• Attend and deliver events and similar activities on Trust reserves and other sites.
• Support administration, supervision and management of contractors working for the Trust.

Funding and Administration:

• Contribute to the preparation of funding applications and contract proposals to secure resources for Wildlife Trust sites and reserves.
• Support project managers in the administration of nature recovery projects, including the collation of project reports and grant claims for project funders.
• Support the Nature Recovery team to collate and maintain records and data.
• Complete required documentation and paperwork in a timely manner as required.
• Support colleagues in identifying and obtaining new contracts and projects in line with the Trust’s aims and objectives.

Supporting others internally:

• Be an active member of the Conservation team delivering the Trust’s aims and objectives.
• Work with and support Conservation colleagues and the wider Wildlife Trust team in all aspects of project management and delivery.

Other Responsibilities

• Contribute to the continuous development of Nature Recovery at BBCWT.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing, service development and team learning.
• Represent the organisation positively when engaging withstakeholders, volunteers, visitors and partners.
• Act as an ambassador for the Trust, forming and maintaining positive relationships with volunteers, visitors and other organisations, and promoting membership wherever possible.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties commensurate with the level of responsibility of the post, as requested by your line manager or the Chief Executive.

Organisational Responsibilities

Values

• All employees are expected to demonstrate Trust and contribute positively to an inclusive, collaborative and respectful working environment and to support the achievement of the Trust’s strategic objectives.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

• All employees have a responsibility to take reasonable care of their own health, safety and wellbeing, as well as that of colleagues, volunteers, visitors, contractors and others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Employees must cooperate with BBCWT to help ensure compliance with health and safety requirements and contribute to a safe and healthy working environment.

Safeguarding

• Actively support BBCWT’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. Carry out responsibilities in line with BBCWT’s safeguarding policies and procedures, remain vigilant to safeguarding concerns, and promptly report any concerns or disclosures through the appropriate channels.

Access and Inclusion

• Actively support and promote BBCWT’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring fair and respectful treatment of all colleagues, volunteers, partners, supporters and members of the communities we work with.

Learning and Development

• Take ownership of personal learning and development and participate in training, development activities and continuous professional development opportunities necessary to perform the role effectively and support organisational objectives.

Performance Management

• Actively engage in BBCWT’s performance management processes, taking responsibility for achieving agreed objectives, maintaining professional standards and contributing to the success of the organisation.

Data Protection and Confidentiality

• Manage personal, organisational and sensitive information in accordance with UK GDPR and BBCWT policies and procedures. Maintain confidentiality and ensure information is collected, stored, processed and shared appropriately and securely.

Environmental Responsibility

• Support BBCWT’s mission to protect and restore nature by embedding environmentally sustainable practices into day-to-day activities and minimising environmental impact wherever possible.

Adherence to Policies

• Be aware of and comply with all BBCWT policies, procedures and organisational requirements relevant to the role. Ensure that all activities are carried out in line with agreed standards, legal obligations and best practice.

Other

• The nature of this post means that occasional out-of-hours and weekend working will be required. In case of working outside working hours, overtime is not paid but time off in lieu will be granted.