At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead peatland restoration projects and manage site delivery for environmental recovery.
- Company: Join South West Water, a leader in the UK water sector focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, competitive pension, health support, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on climate change and biodiversity in stunning landscapes.
- Qualifications: Experience in nature conservation, project management, and stakeholder engagement required.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 38000 £ per year.
Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose. South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK's most stunning landscapes. We're proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we're working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
Whether you're starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career. Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.
Location: Okehampton / Peninsula House with flexible home working
Salary: £34,000 - £38,000
Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)
We're looking for a passionate and driven Project Officer to join the South West Peatland Partnership (SWPP) - a collaborative programme delivering large-scale peatland restoration across Cornwall, Dartmoor and Exmoor. Hosted by South West Water, this role puts you at the heart of environmental recovery, working alongside National Park Authorities, Natural England, the Environment Agency, and leading conservation organisations. This is a unique opportunity to play a hands-on role in tackling climate change, improving biodiversity, and restoring some of the UK's most important habitats.
What you'll be doing:
- Taking the lead on peatland restoration projects at site level, managing works from planning through to delivery.
- Acting as Project Manager for restoration construction sites.
- Leading on design, planning and delivery of restoration works.
- Managing contractors and applying Construction Design & Management (CDM) Regulations 2015.
- Developing restoration plans using field survey data and GIS tools (QGIS/QField).
- Managing budgets (up to £1m annually) and overseeing contractor payments.
- Leading stakeholder engagement, including landowners, farmers, and public bodies.
- Ensuring high-quality delivery, compliance, and health & safety standards.
- Supporting monitoring, research projects, and training activities.
- Collaborating across a wide partnership of environmental organisations.
What we are looking for:
We're seeking someone with a strong blend of technical expertise, project management capability and stakeholder engagement skills.
Essential:
- Experience delivering nature conservation or land management projects.
- Strong contract and contractor management experience.
- Proven ability to manage budgets and project delivery.
- Competence in GIS for site assessment and survey.
- Experience engaging and negotiating with land managers and stakeholders.
- Understanding of peatland, wetland or upland ecology.
- Knowledge of health & safety and construction compliance.
Desirable:
- Degree in a Natural Science (or equivalent experience).
- Experience applying CDM regulations.
- Field survey and ecological monitoring skills.
- SMSTS / SSSTS certification.
What's in it for you:
We know our people drive our success - so we're committed to offering an excellent range of benefits, including:
- Generous holiday allowance + bank holidays.
- Discretionary bonus.
- Competitive contributory pension.
- Share-save scheme.
- Health benefits & wellbeing support programmes.
- Group discounts.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Financial support services.
- Development and training opportunities.
- ... and much more!
Closing Date: 10th June 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
- Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
- Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
- Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Locations
Project Officer (Full time) in Devon, Okehampton employer: South West Water
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters personal and professional growth. With a commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement, our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, health support programmes, and opportunities for training and development. Join us in Okehampton, where you can make a meaningful impact on climate change while working in some of the UK's most beautiful landscapes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Officer (Full time) in Devon, Okehampton
✨Dive into Environmental Networks
Get involved with sustainability-focused organisations and attend their events. Look for local meetups or conferences in environmental management where you can connect with professionals in the field. This can lead to insider info on job openings at companies like South West Water that might not be advertised widely.
✨Show Your Passion with Projects
Consider undertaking personal or community projects that highlight your dedication to sustainability. Whether it's a local clean-up or a carbon footprint assessment, document your findings and results. This not only boosts your portfolio but also shows potential employers like South West Water that you're proactive and serious about the field.
✨Seek Out Green Job Boards
Don’t just rely on general job boards. Explore specific platforms that focus on sustainability and environmental management roles. Websites like EnvironmentJobs and Sustainable Business can be goldmines for full-time positions at companies like South West Water. Keep an eye out for their aggregation of listings!
✨Let Your Online Presence Shine
Make sure your social media and professional profiles reflect your passion for sustainability. Share articles, engage in discussions, and connect with leaders in the field. Your active presence can make a lasting impression on hiring managers at companies like South West Water when they search for candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Officer (Full time) in Devon, Okehampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sustainability:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sustainability shine through. Share any relevant experiences, like projects, volunteer work, or events you've participated in that align with South West Water's values. This position isn't just about meeting qualifications; it's about genuinely caring for the environment and showing us why you're the right fit for Project Officer (Full time).
Highlight Relevant Qualifications and Experience:Make sure to showcase any specific qualifications, such as degrees in environmental science or certifications in sustainability practices in your CV. We want to see how your academic background and practical experiences align with the job you're applying for, so don’t hold back on anything that demonstrates your expertise in environmental management.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:As we're looking for someone to jump into a full-time role, be specific about previous roles or projects that demonstrate your capabilities in sustainability. Use bullet points to make accomplishments clear, and don’t forget to quantify your achievements wherever possible – it’s all about showing us the impact of your work!
Research South West Water and Reflect It In Your Application:We love candidates who take the time to understand what we're about. Mention specific initiatives or projects that South West Water is known for in your cover letter. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely excited about the chance to contribute to our mission in the role of Project Officer (Full time).
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Brush Up on Environmental Legislation
Given that we're diving into sustainability and environmental management, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of current environmental laws and regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to real-world scenarios, as you might face some technical questions about compliance and best practices during your chat with South West Water.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Sustainability Projects
When you're discussing your background, highlight specific sustainability initiatives you've been involved in. Whether it’s a project at university or work experience, sharing measurable outcomes and your role will demonstrate your hands-on skills, which is super important for this full-time role at South West Water.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Software
Make sure you're familiar with any relevant tools or software commonly used in environmental management, like GIS for mapping or data analysis tools. Bring this up in your interview as it shows you’re not only passionate but also prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
✨Connect Your Values with the Company's Mission
Full-time roles are all about team fit, so it’s important to align your personal values with those of South West Water. Be ready to discuss why you're passionate about sustainability and how you can contribute to their mission, as this will really resonate with the interviewers and show that you’re genuinely invested in their goals.
