SERC Data Officer in Somerset

Are you passionate about restoring nature, and want to develop your technical expertise within an organisation which provides data and insight into environmental decision making, both locally and nationally? Somerset Environmental Records Centre are looking for a Data Officer who can help us deliver our core services, but also help us to build upon those, to maximise our conservation impact.

About Us: Somerset Wildlife Trust is a local independent charity. We are the only organisation uniquely focused on improving the natural environment of Somerset for the benefit of wildlife and people. We protect, and lead the recovery of Somerset's stunning, diverse, and important natural environment, making the case for nature to the public and politicians. The Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC) is a non-profit organization hosted by the Somerset Wildlife Trust. We serve as the county's central hub for data regarding wildlife sightings, habitats, and geology.

About you and the Role: You’ll be part of a team where new software and techniques can do some of the heavy lifting, but we also need you to be resourceful and innovative in your thinking. You will work closely with our Data Manager and colleagues, to refine existing systems and processes, and ensure best practice is embedded in everything that we do. This includes the centre’s data acquisition, collation, synthesis, management and analysis, where diligence and achieving efficiencies are both priorities.

Principal elements of the role are to assist in the Data Management process within SERC, data governance and policy, data collection and capture, storage, security, integration and analysis. This includes software management and working with existing data and acquiring or accessing new data and evidence from varying sources. You’ll help ensure all incoming and outgoing data processes run smoothly, securely and are up to date, to fulfil SERC’s mission as the go-to ecological data evidence provider for the county.

Responsibility 1: Data Management

• Helping maintain the integrity of SERC data in the databases and GIS system.
• This includes the establishment and conformity to SERC IT policies and protocols, ensuring that data integrity is maintained, routine data quality processes are carried out, and data protection legislation is adhered to, for example regarding personally identifiable data such as GDPR.
• Uploading data to the databases as required.
• Responsible for the smooth and timely transfer of data between databases/systems, such as uploads from Mapmate files and NBN uploads/extracts, discussing and resolving technical issues as necessary.
• Carrying out the analysis of SERC’s data holdings and identifying gaps at least annually in order to inform the following year’s activities.
• Undertaking SLA deliverables regarding data extracts in a timely and accurate manner as required by each Service Level Agreement.
• Providing technical input to the development of SERC software applications to assist SERC in streamlining its services and developing its products.
• Working with the SERC Data Manager and team to optimise SERC’s Engineering Data Management Process to facilitate current and future mandatory Government policies, such as BNG etc.
• Actively sharing IT and systems knowledge and skills with colleagues and volunteers.

Responsibility 2: Data Security

• Working with the SERC Data Manager to continually maintain robust systems and processes, and seek improvements in data security, for example embedding metadata into spatial outputs etc.
• Ensuring backup arrangements are adequate, ensuring data is as secure as it can be and that recovery procedures work as expected.
• Implementing the correct processes, tools, and controls to secure and protect SERC’s databases against accidental and intentional threats.
• Secure sensitive data and maintain the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of the databases and associated applications, systems, physical and virtual servers, including all other storage medium held on and off-site, and network infrastructure.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• 7% employer pension contribution
• Life assurance
• Flexible and agile working
• Wellbeing support EAP, wellbeing champions
• Diversity networks through RSWT/TWT
• Paid volunteer days
• Continuous Professional Development opportunities
• 33 days of holiday (25 + bank holidays) + Christmas shutdown
• Staff social calendar and events
• The opportunity to make a real and positive difference to nature, communities and the climate

Closing date: Monday 15 June 2026

Interested? If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position. No agencies please.