Peatland Conservation Officer – An Creagan in Omagh

Ulster Wildlife is one of Northern Ireland’s leading providers of peatland restoration services, with a growing team of skilled practitioners delivering landscape scale restoration works, helping to maximise the contribution of peatlands to Northern Ireland’s net zero journey and help to halt and reverse the decline of biodiversity. The Peatlands Technical Team works with landowners, partners and contractors to survey, plan and develop restoration plans across Northern Ireland. A Peatlands Collaborative Network has also been established, comprising a range of stakeholders. This Network will support DAERA in the delivery of the Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy. The Peatlands Team works to inform future peatland restoration planning, and design and deliver a pipeline of peatland restoration projects within the Network.

The post-holder will work with Senior Technical Officers (Peatlands) to prepare, implement, review and evaluate on-ground restoration works to improve the conservation status of various sites over the lifecycle of this project.

Tasks And Main Duties of The Post

• Assist Senior Technical Officer (Peatlands) to manage on-ground works contracts, to ensure delivery to time and budget.
• Assist with fieldwork for the collection of scientific monitoring data, including peat depths, water table depths, and species-specific surveys for peatland sites across Northern Ireland.
• Assist Senior Technical Officers to carry out risk assessments for on-ground works to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements.
• Engage and liaise with landowners to secure participation in restoration management planning processes and in the implementation of restoration actions.
• Collection and management of ecological and hydrological data using GIS, to assist with the production of maps for restoration action plans, on-site contractors, and tender documents.
• Assist with the organisation of stakeholder meetings and events.
• Develop procurement documentation associated with the programme of planned on-ground works.
• Assist with reporting and claims processes to project funders.

Organization-Wide Responsibilities of Post

While every member of staff has their own specific tasks and duties to perform on a day-to-day basis, there are also a number of additional work areas that you will be expected to take part in for the overall development and delivery of the organisation’s aims. These include:

• Participation in the development and implementation of Ulster Wildlife’s overall strategy and operational plan.
• Play a proactive and constructive role within Ulster Wildlife’s team and ensure knowledge dissemination within the wider organisation.
• Develop strategic partnerships with external organisations.
• Adhere to the policies and practices of Ulster Wildlife at all times and respect the policies and practices of project partners.
• Identify and implement Learning & Development processes.
• Support and ensure positive experiences for volunteers within the organisation.
• Participate in internal staff and Board meetings.
• Support the communications and fundraising functions of the charity as required.
• Ensure that contact with others is of a style and quality consistent with Ulster Wildlife’s ethos.
• Respond to internal and external requests for advice and information.

No job description can cover every issue which may arise and subsequently the post holder may be expected to carry out other duties with those itemised above.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• A relevant degree-level qualification in a relevant subject e.g. ecology, land management, hydrology or other related subject OR at least one year full-time or part-time equivalent relevant experience.
• Knowledge and understanding of NI’s biodiversity and the management requirements associated with designated sites.
• Knowledge of peatland restoration.
• Demonstrable experience of building and maintaining effective relationships with farmers and/or landowners.
• Experience carrying out conservation field work and data collection.
• Knowledge of implementing health and safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbally – effective presentation, report writing and the ability to converse with a diverse range of people at all levels.
• Effective organisational skills including the ability to plan, manage and prioritise workloads for self, meet deadlines, plan and organise meetings and events.
• High level of computer literacy with a good knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
• Access to transport for business purposes to allow the post holder to carry out the full requirements of the role.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of managing contractors to carry out capital site works.
• Experience of procurement procedures and associated document management.
• Experience in the use of GIS software.

The role is full time, fixed term to 31 March 2028 (potential for renewal subject to funding) and based at An Creagán Visitor Centre, 186 Barony Rd, Omagh Co.Tyrone, BT79 9AB. This role is funded via the Carrier Bag Levy by the Department of the Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs.