River Restoration Project Officer

Term: 18-month initial term (with potential to extend subject to funding). Flexible start date.
Salary: £34,546 p.a
Pension: NEST pension scheme (6% Employer Contribution)
Hours: Full time (37.5 hours per week). Part-time working could be considered.
Holidays: 25 days plus statutory holidays
Place of work: Office working (Stowmarket) with flexibility for some working at home and regular travel throughout Essex and Suffolk.

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust (ESRT) is an independent environmental charity dedicated to improving and protecting rivers and estuaries across Essex and Suffolk. Working with communities, landowners, farmers, statutory bodies and businesses, we bring people, data and expertise together to restore nature, protect water, and build resilience for future generations.

About the role:

The River Restoration Project Officer will lead the development and delivery of river and wetland restoration projects across Essex and Suffolk. The role will focus on improving ecological status, restoring natural processes, enhancing biodiversity, and increasing climate resilience within priority catchments, contributing directly to the strategic objectives and delivery targets of the Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust and its partners.

This role sits at the heart of our restore natural processes and habitats strategic theme. As part of our ambitious programme to deliver large-scale, practical restoration on the ground, the postholder will help translate strategy into action, delivering high quality projects that restore the natural morphology in our rivers, remove barriers to fish passage and create resilient wetland habitats. The role will contribute to our long-term vision of healthier, functioning catchments that provide multiple benefits for people and wildlife.

The postholder will be responsible for taking projects from concept through to completion. This will include feasibility assessments, scheme design, securing consents and permits, preparing funding applications and managing project budgets. You will oversee procurement processes, appoint and manage contractors, and ensure works are delivered safely, on time and within budget.

The role requires close collaboration with landowners, partner organisations, local authorities, contractors, and community groups to co-develop practical, evidence-led restoration solutions. You will build strong working relationships to support long-term stewardship and ensure projects deliver multiple benefits for water quality, flood risk management, habitat connectivity and community engagement.

This is an exciting opportunity to build on your technical expertise, lead your own portfolio of projects and play a key role within a dynamic team working to restore rivers, wetlands and catchments for wildlife, communities and future generations.

If you have any questions about the River Restoration Project Officer role, please contact [email protected]

Full details of the role and responsibilities can be found in the applicant pack on our website.

Closing Date: 11PM Sunday 12th April 2026