At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a project to recover water crowfoot, engaging the public in citizen science.
- Company: Friends of the River Wye, in partnership with Save the River Usk.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, competitive pay, and the chance to make a real environmental impact.
- Other info: Work independently, manage budgets, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
- Why this job: Be a key player in restoring vital river ecosystems and engage with passionate communities.
- Qualifications: Degree in ecology or botany, plus experience in field research and project management.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
In partnership with Save the River Usk and following the success of the Big Ranunculus Watch, Friends of the River Wye are seeking an experienced Project Lead to manage a new three-year programme focused on collecting evidence to contribute to the recovery of water crowfoot (Ranunculus) across the Welsh Wye and Usk. This role will hold overall responsibility for delivering the project, including public engagement (with a strong citizen science component) and coordination with scientific partners, regulators and other stakeholders. Reporting to a dedicated steering group including trustees/leaders from FORW and Save the Usk experienced in local Citizen Science work. This programme is anticipated to last at least the next three growing seasons and will include preparing an overall project report and evaluation report, to include recommendations for future monitoring of water crowfoot and management options to help safeguard this keystone species and SAC feature.
Responsibilities
- Fieldwork coordination and data gathering
- Collate and supplement existing records of the water crowfoot plant assemblage.
- Undertake surveys at key sites, including ground-based and drone-assisted remote sensing.
- Establish and document a baseline of images and botanical records for public access and future comparison.
- Agree specification for and commission drone and specialist survey work in liaison with NRW and WVNL.
- Citizen science engagement
- Coordinate with our citizen science and engagement team to launch and run Big Ranunculus Watch in 2026, 2027 and 2028.
- Design and deliver training for volunteers to monitor long-term sites in more detail.
- Help build public awareness of water crowfoot and its ecological significance in the Wye and Usk.
- Partnership and research liaison
- Work closely with partners including NRW, scientific researchers and NGOs.
- Liaise with regulatory authorities and ensure legal permissions for all project activities are in place.
- Ensure alignment with related catchment initiatives and national citizen science programmes.
- Reporting and project delivery
- Track and manage project progress and budget.
- Establish and monitor key performance metrics.
- Prepare interim outputs, a final evaluation report, and a strategic project report with recommendations for long-term monitoring and conservation of water crowfoot.
Skills and experience
- Educated to degree level in freshwater ecology, botany, or a related field.
- Proven experience delivering ecological field-based research projects.
- Strong organisational and project management skills, including budgeting.
- Experience with GIS and mapping tools (e.g. QGIS, ArcGIS and accessible tools like Google Maps and Google Earth) to support site selection, baseline mapping, and presentation of survey data.
- Familiarity with data visualisation tools (ideally Tableau) to support accessible, public-facing presentation of findings.
- Experience working with multiple stakeholders including funders, regulators and researchers.
- Experience commissioning technical specialists or consultants (e.g. drone operators, lab analysis).
- Comfortable managing a project budget and workplan independently.
- Confident in designing, managing and reporting on multi-strand projects.
- Ability to analyse, synthesise and communicate scientific data effectively.
Desirable
- Welsh language skills and knowledge of rural Welsh landscapes.
- Residence in or near the Wye/Usk catchment area.
Personal attributes
- Passionate about river ecology and environmental restoration.
- Highly organised, self-motivated, and able to work independently.
- Comfortable engaging with a wide range of people from scientists to volunteers.
- Flexible and adaptive in response to emerging opportunities or challenges.
- Proactive and confident in shaping and driving forward the project without close supervision.
About the project
- Collate and supplement existing records of the water crowfoot plant assemblage, contributing to the "Big Ranunculus Watch" and other programmes run by FORW and partners.
- Undertake surveys at key sites, through both physical sampling and remote sensing by drones.
- Establish a publicly available baseline of images and botanical records, showing the past and existing distribution of water crowfoot against which future changes can be mapped.
- Establish a series of long term monitoring sites, covering physico-chemical characteristics as well as plant cover, and train a network of Citizen Science volunteers to monitor them.
- Attempt to link changes in distribution to wider impacts such as pollution, temperature or high flows. This will help improve our understanding of factors which may have led to recent declines, and determine its possible future recovery.
- Engage with existing CS volunteers, the general public and interested groups to promote awareness of and interest in the wildlife of these two rivers.
This is a flexible contract role. The successful candidate will be expected to provide their own equipment (laptop, phone and vehicle) and to work flexibly, including occasional evenings or weekends, to respond to fieldwork schedules, public engagement events and seasonal activity across the catchment. This project is funded by the Nature Networks Programme. It is being delivered by the Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Welsh Government.
Type: 1-Year contract (2 days per week - flexible working hours - extendable to 3 years)
Rate: £200 per day (contract rate)
Location: Flexible working, based within / across the Wye & Usk catchment
Fractional Project Lead - Ranunculus (Water Crowfoot) in London employer: Gofractional
Friends of the River Wye is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead impactful ecological projects in the beautiful Wye and Usk catchment area. With a strong commitment to citizen science and community engagement, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture that fosters personal growth and professional development while contributing to vital environmental restoration efforts. The flexible working arrangements and the chance to work closely with passionate partners make this role not only rewarding but also integral to the conservation of our natural heritage.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fractional Project Lead - Ranunculus (Water Crowfoot) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the field of ecology and environmental restoration. Attend local events, workshops, or even online webinars to meet potential collaborators and stakeholders who might help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your previous projects, especially those related to ecological fieldwork or citizen science. This will give potential employers a clear idea of what you can bring to the table and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t be shy about following up! After an interview or networking event, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role, which can make a big difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for passionate individuals like you. By applying directly, you’ll ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you might just find the perfect fit for your skills and interests.
We think you need these skills to ace Fractional Project Lead - Ranunculus (Water Crowfoot) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the specific requirements of the Project Lead role. We want to see how you can contribute to the recovery of water crowfoot and engage with citizen science!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for river ecology and environmental restoration shine through in your application. We love candidates who are genuinely passionate about making a difference, so don’t hold back on sharing your motivation!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and experiences. We appreciate straightforward communication!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gofractional
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of freshwater ecology and botany. Familiarise yourself with the specifics of water crowfoot and its ecological significance in the Wye and Usk. Being able to discuss relevant research and conservation efforts will show your passion and expertise.
✨Engage with Citizen Science
Since this role involves a strong citizen science component, think about how you can effectively engage the public. Prepare examples of how you've previously worked with volunteers or community groups, and be ready to share ideas on how to promote awareness and involvement in the Big Ranunculus Watch.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing ecological projects, including budgeting and stakeholder engagement. Highlight specific instances where you've successfully coordinated multiple partners or managed complex fieldwork, as this will demonstrate your organisational skills.
✨Get Familiar with Tech Tools
This role requires familiarity with GIS and data visualisation tools. Brush up on your skills with QGIS, ArcGIS, or even Google Maps. If you have experience with Tableau, make sure to mention it, as being tech-savvy will give you an edge in presenting your findings effectively.
