Project Engagement Officer: Saving Devon’s Native Crayfish

The Saving Devon’s Native Crayfish Project is a ground-breaking programme to ensure the long-term health of white-clawed crayfish in the county. This rescue and reintroduction project is an exciting partnership project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and South West Water (SWW). The project works in close collaboration with the Environment Agency, expert ecologists, and a wide range of stakeholders. The project trains citizen science volunteers, raises awareness of the fragility of this protected species and the measures needed to safeguard its future and how the Wildwood Trust are leading conservation efforts in Devon.

This role will take the lead in coordinating and delivering our engagement programme. It offers a varied workload including desk-based project administration, hatchery operation, crayfish husbandry, delivering onsite education talks, offsite school engagement activities, a public engagement programme and assisting with crayfish surveys.

• Deliver and adapt the project’s school education and public engagement programme, including onsite sessions with schools, public guided walks and events to raise awareness of white-clawed crayfish and the project.
• Support the Hatchery Officer in running the crayfish hatchery, including husbandry and best-practice care, including weekend and holiday cover.
• Engage with schools, community groups and project partners to plan and deliver public events, talks, and educational sessions.
• Ensure risk assessments and risk management plans are in place for the school and public engagement elements of the project.
• Complete project administration in a timely manner, working closely with the Conservation Manager to assist with writing NLHF grant claims and reports, planning regular project team meetings and quarterly steering group meetings.
• Write regular project blogs and content for Wildwood’s social media accounts, newsletters and press releases.
• Oversee the collection of scientific data to inform the project's activities and outcomes, including assisting with monitoring local populations which can help inform future recovery.
• As directed by the Conservation Manager, provide details and reports for trustees, funders and licensing authorities and other stakeholders.

Your working week will be varied and busy, with no two days the same. Your main priority will be delivering the education and public engagement programmes and activities, engaging with local schools and community groups, sharing the project and inspiring the next generation of rewilders. You will also assist with the daily running of the hatchery, working closely with the crayfish Hatchery Officer and crayfish specialist contractors. This includes comprehensive animal care, maintenance programmes that meet industry standards, and the daily maintenance of equipment, troubleshooting as necessary. Maintaining accurate records of husbandry, water quality and aquatic system maintenance is also vital.

Core working hours are 09:00 until 17:00 with an unpaid half an hour for lunch. This post is 37.5 hours per week over 5 days. Working days will need to be flexible on occasion to ensure operational continuity and attendance at public events. The job will involve overtime, including some evening, weekend and bank holiday working as part of your normal duties. You may be required to occasionally travel between parks.

• Regular use of Display Screen Equipment (DSE)
• Use of machinery/tools
• Lone working
• Pressure to meet key deadlines such as might be integral to high profile projects
• Use of company vehicle – a full clean driving licence is required for this role holder as you will need to travel to field sites and stakeholder meetings

• DBS check
• Manual Handling
• Equality & Diversity
• Safeguarding Awareness
• GDPR / Data Protection Awareness
• Fire Safety Awareness
• Ladder Safety
• First Aid
• Press & Media Training

All Wildwood staff are passionate, committed, and resourceful. This role requires a practical team player with a positive attitude and a passion for the restoration of British Wildlife.

• Confidence to carry out tasks independently, whilst also having the ability to work productively and successfully with a team.
• Skilled at maintaining and developing positive relationships with project partners, schools and public stakeholders.
• Experience of planning and delivering successful and inspiring education and public engagement activities.
• Awareness of health and safety requirements and responsibilities including COSHH and track record of appropriate record keeping.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• High attention to detail, excellent written English and report writing skills. Confident in the use of Microsoft Excel.
• A sound understanding of ecology and conservation and an empathetic view of animal management.
• Demonstrate a genuine love of British wildlife and belief in Wildwood’s Mission; to protect, conserve, and rewild British wildlife.

• A demonstrable passion for and ecological knowledge of British wildlife and its conservation.
• Knowledge of aquatic life support and water quality monitoring systems.
• Experience of delivering curriculum-based environmental education activities.

Wildwood is a native species conservation charity established in 2002 to push the boundaries of innovative conservation and rewilding. We work with nature to fight the biodiversity crisis, to halt the extinction of species and to create resilient habitats in which nature thrives. We focus on nature-based solutions to return native species and recreating truly wild spaces.

Wildwood has a proud culture of respecting and valuing all colleagues. Our people are integral to our success; their expertise enables us to achieve our ambitions, their professionalism creates strong collaborations, and their integrity upholds our organisational values. We believe in Equal Opportunities and the benefits of a varied work team.

• Annual salary of £25,956
• Annual leave allowance of 30 days a year, including statutory holidays.
• Workplace pension (auto enrolled after three months)
• Inclusive and family-friendly working policies
• Training & development opportunities
• Selection of staff benefits including discounts
• Free or reduced price entry to BIAZA accredited zoos and aquariums

Please email your CV and letter of application to jobs@wildwoodtrust.org