Lead GIS Analyst (Habitats Specialist)

Would you like to use your interest in data and habitats to help one of Europe's largest nature conservation charities?

What's the role about?

You will lead the team that will produce accurate and up to date spatial data for all RSPB nature reserves across the UK, including some of the most important nature sites in the country.

Working with two other GIS analysts, in the first year you will translate existing data into UKHab classification, oversee production of new habitat maps, analyse the data, and maintain the data. You will identify gaps and places where information needs to be updated. You will develop ways to fill those gaps and update the information using remote sensing, local RSPB staff knowledge, ground-truthing, and field surveying. You will analyse the data to provide information that will help combat climate change and make RSPB nature reserves even better places for wildlife.

In the second and third years you will develop ways to add other spatial features to RSPB data, such as land management and species monitoring.

You will be part of the RSPB's Conservation Data Management Unit. Every year we help hundreds of people use data to make the most of their conservation work. We provide support for mapping and analysis, innovative solutions for problems, and expert ecological interpretation of conservation data.

You will work with colleagues who share your interest in nature and spatial data. We value learning from and supporting each other. To make the most of this you ideally would be regularly working from our UK headquarters at RSPB The Lodge nature reserve in Bedfordshire, but you could be based from home elsewhere in the UK.

What we need from you

We are looking for evidence that you can do the parts of the job listed below. Your application will be easier to assess if you explicitly take each criterion and give us evidence that you have the aptitude, experience, or skills required.

• Project management - keep work on track, monitor and report progress; respond to risks and adapt plans accordingly, escalating if needed
• Problem solving - be clear about what needs fixing and develop innovative solutions
• Manage a small team - help other team members be the best they can; keep them motivated and working towards the project goals
• Reporting - summarise data so that the audience can understand it
• Data management - collect and curate data according to standards; get others to do the same; develop processes to collect data and keep it updated
• Habitats - translate between Phase One, National Vegetation Classification, and UKHab classes; recognise habitats and whether they are what the data says they are; complete a habitat survey
• Advanced GIS - digitize polygons snapped to boundaries, with no slivers or overlapping; use tools for spatial analysis and data quality checking; use ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online; use scripts (such as Python notebooks) to make replicable outputs
• Remote sensing - use aerial imagery to classify and map habitats
• Working with people - get data and help from busy people who may have other priorities
• Time management - focus on priorities when there is too much to do

Additional Information

This is a Fixed-Term role for 37.5 hours per week until 31 March 2028.

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on14 or 15 May 2026. For further information please contact [email protected]

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK.