At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a project to assess the impact of common toad population fragmentation in England.
- Company: Join Amphibian and Reptile Groups of UK and Froglife for conservation efforts.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, competitive salary, and pension scheme.
- Other info: Opportunity for fieldwork and collaboration with passionate volunteers.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in wildlife conservation while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Degree in biological or environmental science; skills in modelling and GIS required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
An exciting new opportunity has arisen as part of our joint conservation programme for the common toad. Amphibian and Reptile Groups of UK (ARG UK) and Froglife are seeking a project officer to lead on a new Natural England funded Species Recovery Programme (SRP) project, ‘Identifying the impact of recent fragmentation of common toad (Bufo bufo) populations in England’. You will work closely with ARG UK, Froglife, the modelling team at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH), volunteers from local amphibian and reptile groups (ARGs), and Froglife’s ‘Toads on Roads’ toad patrollers.
The project will quantify changes in the number of breeding ponds and terrestrial habitat of a declining native amphibian, the common toad, in five counties in England from the 1990s to the present day. Known breeding ponds will be mapped and historic and current aquatic habitat, terrestrial habitat and aquatic-terrestrial connection measured and modelled. Changes in study landscapes within each region of the country will be compared with regional changes in common toad populations. The project officer will also coordinate and support local citizen scientists and ARG volunteers to survey known breeding ponds to establish their present day use by the common toad and other amphibians.
You will need to have experience of modelling, statistics and spatial data processing, notably working with R and GIS, have excellent communication and organisation skills and enjoy working with people. The post will involve some day and night-time amphibian and pond survey fieldwork at sites in each of the five counties and workshops at scientific meetings, which will involve occasional overnight stays, so the ability to travel to remote sites is essential.
The role will encompass the following activities:
- Establishing the status of historic common toad ponds, to determine whether they continue to be used by common toads.
- Map historic breeding ponds and current ponds and model connectivity with terrestrial landscapes using the amph4pop model to determine the degree of fragmentation of aquatic-terrestrial habitat connectivity for common toad breeding populations.
- Compare changes in connectivity in each region with regional changes in common toad populations based on data from Froglife’s Toads on Roads project and other amphibian recording schemes.
- Liaise with land owners and land managers to enable volunteers to access pond sites for amphibian survey and monitoring purposes.
- Liaise with volunteers and citizen scientists to identify ponds for survey, and support access and surveying, including ensuring health and safety and other safeguarding considerations are met.
- Liaise with line managers concerning project administration and budgeting. Presenting monthly expenses and payments to line managers and the FCTP steering group.
- Providing line managers and the FCTP steering group with monthly email updates, and quarterly reporting on activities undertaken by the project.
- Undertake occasional day and night-time amphibian and pond surveys at sites in each of the five counties mainly during the toad migration period.
- Co-ordinate, set up and staff project workshops at three or more scientific meetings.
Person Specification:
Essential
- A degree to at least undergraduate level in a biological, conservation or environmental science subject.
- Experience in computer modelling and use and understanding of GIS and the R statistical package.
- First rate communication skills.
- Experience of working with volunteers and the wider public and an understanding of the contribution volunteering makes to the charity sector.
- Experience of developing, organising and delivering training activities.
- Proven project management skills.
- To be a self-starting and positive team player, who is accessible and communicative.
- Able to complete field and aquatic surveys in sometimes remote locations across the UK.
- To apply, you must have the demonstrable legal right to work in the UK. We are unable to sponsor visas for this role.
Desirable
- A knowledge of and passion for amphibians and reptiles.
- Experience of terrestrial and aquatic ecological surveys, preferably including field experience of amphibian surveys.
- Ability to find creative solutions to problems, to be influential and persuasive.
- Experience of working in voluntary/NGO sector.
- Track record of partnership projects in nature conservation.
- Current driving licence and use of a vehicle for business purposes.
About ARG UK
Amphibian and Reptile Groups of UK (ARG UK) is a registered charity committed to the conservation of native amphibians and reptiles and their natural environment by supporting the development of a network of independent volunteer amphibian and reptile groups (ARGs).
About Froglife
Froglife is a national wildlife conservation charity concerned with the conservation of the UK’s reptile and amphibian species and their associated habitats.
About UKCEH
The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology is a world-leading independent research institute, carrying out excellent environmental science with impact.
Project Officer - Identifying the impact of recent fragmentation of common toads in England in Telford employer: AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE GROUPS OF THE UK
Amphibian and Reptile Groups of UK (ARG UK) is an exceptional employer dedicated to the conservation of native amphibians and reptiles, offering a collaborative work environment that values flexibility and employee growth. As a part-time Project Officer, you will engage in meaningful conservation efforts while enjoying the benefits of a supportive culture, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to work with passionate volunteers and experts across the UK. With a focus on impactful projects and a commitment to ecological sustainability, ARG UK provides a unique opportunity to contribute to vital environmental work in a flexible setting.
Contact Details:
AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE GROUPS OF THE UK Recruitment Team
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