AONB Countryside Officer
Overview
We’re looking for a Countryside Officer with good practical management and people skills and lots of enthusiasm and energy to join our team for a year. This is a great opportunity to build up valuable work experience in the conservation sector.
You’ll be a champion for Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), helping to directly conserve and enhance the area’s countryside and inspire others to get involved and work together to benefit the area.
What’s it like to work here
The Arnside & Silverdale AONB Partnership is dedicated to conserving and enhancing this nationally designated landscape. We are a small friendly multidisciplinary team based in Arnside. The AONB Partnership is hosted by Lancaster City Council and involves many other organisations so you’ll be part of this wider community too.
Recognised as one of the country’s finest landscapes, Arnside & Silverdale AONB is especially celebrated for its wealth of plants, birds and butterflies and extraordinary range of diverse habitats.
What you’ll be doing
You'll be the go-to person for conservation, land management and practical tasks within the team. You’ll organise and run the AONB volunteer programme, provide advice and support to farmers, landowners, residents and community groups, develop and deliver projects, events and training, and coordinate surveying and monitoring of species and habitats, along with ensuring effective management of health and safety, property and machinery.
You’ll play a key role in helping to deliver an outstanding landscape rich in wildlife and cultural heritage and enabling people to access, enjoy, understand and connect with the landscape.
Who we're looking for
We are a committed, hardworking and friendly team, knowledgeable and passionate about conserving and enhancing the area’s landscape, biodiversity, heritage and culture and we are looking for like-minded people to join us.
You’ll need to have:
- Great ability to inspire, engage and involve others – in particular volunteers, farmers/landowners, partner organisations and community groups
- Excellent understanding and experience of farming, woodland management, rural skills and habitat management
- Excellent organisational and office/ICT skills and experience of project development and management
- A passion for wildlife, heritage, the outdoors (in all weathers!) and nature conservation
- Enthusiasm, energy, self-motivation and a willingness to learn and develop
The role is 37 hours per week and will require occasional weekend, bank holiday and evening working and some lone working. The post is temporary full time for 1 year (maternity cover) starting in May 2019 with flexible working.
For further details about the post or an informal discussion, please contact Lucy Barron, AONB Manager on 01524 761034.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND A CV AS THIS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Interview date: Tuesday, 16 April 2019
