Limestone Grassland Landscape Officer

Limestone Grassland Landscape Officer

Location: Office-based in Derrygonnelly, Co. Fermanagh with hybrid working. Also occasional travel across Northern Ireland and cross-border
Salary: Starting salary £31,000 per annum, plus 8% pension contribution
Duration: Fixed term post until 31st July 2029
Hours: 37 hours per week (1FTE)

Job Purpose

• Led by a nature recovery network approach centred on a key limestone grassland site, responsible for overseeing conservation activities to protect and enhance the habitat and associated species in the project area, on a landscape-scale.
• Identify, plan, and lead practical habitat management work through identifying and mapping priority tasks, obtaining relevant consents, procuring contractors to deliver capital works, and by leading practical conservation volunteer work activities.
• Undertake, lead or manage surveys and monitoring of priority Northern Ireland Lepidoptera species and other priority species where needed, and complete habitat assessments to provide land management advice while also providing opportunities for stakeholders and volunteers to get involved.
• Liaise with key stakeholders on the threats and opportunities for limestone grassland with reference to relevant Conservation Management Plans, the Northern Ireland Habitat Action Plan for Calcareous Grassland and Species Action Plans, and take action to improve condition and status where possible.
• Engage with a broad range of stakeholders and volunteers to provide management advice and develop pathways of access to the information they need to manage limestone grassland.

Main Responsibilities

• To engage and form effective partnerships with key stakeholders, statutory agencies, landowners, and volunteers across the limestone grassland project area and engage with cross border opportunities.
• Working with Butterfly Conservation’s PeacePlus Nature Project Manager, ensure all activities carried out on designated sites and priority habitat follow best practice, have secured relevant permissions from the statutory authorities, and are monitored and reported on to completion.
• Using QGIS software, map practical habitat works required on core limestone grassland habitat, including that relating to scrub control and invasive species, and nature recovery network opportunities for Northern Ireland priority species including, but not limited to, Small Blue, Irish Plume and Dingy Skipper.
• Undertake the procurement of contractors for a range of practical conservation work, including scrub control and livestock fencing.
• Identify and procure additional species surveys that may be required, where capital works are being planned and protected species may be present.
• Working with the PeacePlus Nature and other Butterfly Conservation staff, engage, recruit, train and manage volunteers in priority Lepidoptera monitoring techniques and practical habitat management activities, and promote wider species conservation through a range of means including open days and workshops.
• Working with PeacePlus Nature staff, deliver workshops, walks and talks, and presentations for partners, landowners, volunteers and community groups on limestone grassland conservation and land management advice, with a focus on the understanding of landscape scale conservation for priority Lepidoptera species.
• Working with the PeacePlus Nature Project Manager and other Butterfly Conservation staff, develop and produce digital and printed assets to support provision of advice for landscape scale conservation of species.
• Disseminate the impact of Butterfly Conservation’s work including giving presentations, giving media interviews, preparing reports, and posting social media.
• Undertake day to day management of the project, supporting reporting and budget claims, working with the PeacePlus Nature Project Manager and Butterfly Conservation staff as required to ensure project compliance.

General

• Working closely with the PeacePlus Nature project team and Butterfly Conservation staff, ensure effective health and safety procedures are in place for all participants, including Butterfly Conservation staff, the public, volunteers and project partners.
• Work closely with the Nature Recovery Team in Northern Ireland, including the Conservation Manager (Northern Ireland) and the Head of Nature Recovery Northern Ireland, to ensure effective delivery of nature recovery across the country and to ensure communication and collaboration across the Nature Recovery Directorate.
• Support the delivery, monitoring, and reporting of BC’s strategic aims, relating to priority landscapes and species, and help meet BC’s ‘Nature Recovery Plan’.
• Working with the PeacePlus Nature project team and other Butterfly Conservation staff, help build volunteer capacity in Northern Ireland to play a greater part in the conservation of priority species and support the legacy of the project.
• Promote BC’s values (Excellence, Passionate, Inspiring, Collaborative) ensuring they are adopted in all aspects of the role.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required and commensurate with the grade of post.
• Undertake all duties and responsibilities in compliance with the rules and regulations encompassing equal opportunities to help foster a diverse workforce.
• Work in accordance with BC’s policies, procedures, and codes of conduct.
• Actively participate in on-going professional development activities.

Candidates must have the right to work and be resident in the UK.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early before the advertised closing date and time.

Closing date: 23 March 2026, 12 noon
Interviews will be held on 1 & 2 April 2026

REF-227 013