Citizen Science & Community Engagement Officer

Job title: Citizen Science & Community Engagement Officer
Location of job: Hybrid working – home and Bristol office based, with regular travel throughout the Bristol Avon catchment.
Post holder reports to: River Engagement & Education Lead
River Engagement Officer Salary: £29,612 per annum (9% employer pension contribution)
Position type: permanent position
Working arrangements: Full-time role (37.5 hours per week) with a flexible working approach. 25 days Annual Leave plus bank holidays and Christmas closure.

About Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART)

Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) is the environmental charity dedicated to protecting and restoring rivers across the Bristol Avon catchment. We work in partnership with communities, landowners, local authorities, water companies and regulators to deliver practical river restoration, improve water quality and reconnect people with their rivers.

Our work spans habitat restoration, natural flood management, citizen science, education and community engagement. We are driving long-term recovery of freshwater ecosystems so that rivers across the catchment are clean, resilient and thriving for both wildlife and people.

About the Role

The Citizen Science & Community Engagement Officer will lead the day-to-day enquiries, coordination and logistics for BART’s RiverHub citizen science volunteers, while also helping to expand community engagement and education activity across the Bristol Avon catchment.

RiverHub is a flagship citizen science platform, bringing together volunteers, partners and communities to monitor river health, share open-access data and build a stronger evidence base for river recovery. Through monthly water quality testing and community-led monitoring, RiverHub empowers local people to understand and advocate for their rivers while strengthening the data that underpinning restoration and policy change.

BART’s Engagement and Education team deliver a range of community engagement and education sessions and activities, focusing on educating communities about rivers, connecting them with their blue spaces and inspiring action to improve river health. Sessions are delivered in a variety of settings, from riverbanks, to classrooms and community spaces. The team prioritise reaching underrepresented groups and developing creative methods to engage and motivate positive change.

This role sits at the heart of BART’s Vision of a Healthy River strategy, delivering against our priorities of:

• Climate resilience
• Biodiversity recovery
• Community engagement

The postholder will:

• Act as the primary interface between the RiverHub project and citizen scientists
• Lead RiverHub and Community Engagement communications, storytelling and visibility
• Plan and deliver school sessions and community engagement activities
• Support volunteers to develop skills and confidence in river monitoring and conservation
• Strengthen the impact and profile of BART’s work

The role supports both the RiverHub Project Manager (logistics & operations) and the RiverHub Programme Manager (impact & visibility), while working closely with BART Citizen Science Geographic Coordinators and the wider team. The role holder will form part of the Trust’s River Engagement & Education team, and be line managed by BART’s River Engagement & Education Lead.

Key Responsibilities

Citizen Science Delivery (RiverHub)

• Act as main contact for RiverHub volunteers (managing inbox and enquiries)
• Support recruitment, onboarding and retention of citizen scientists
• Coordinate testing kit ordering and distribution for monthly monitoring
• Support Geographic Coordinators with volunteer logistics and compliance
• Provide training and ongoing support for monitoring activities
• Organise a monthly programme of engagement events
• Lead delivery of an annual volunteer “thank you” event
• Ensure compliance with health & safety requirements

Communications & Storytelling

• Develop and deliver a strategic communications plan for RiverHub and for BART’s Engagement & Education teams
• Manage digital communications (website, newsletters, social media)
• Create compelling content including:
• Case studies
• Blogs
• Graphics
• Short videos
• Press releases
• Issue a bi-monthly volunteer newsletter
• Maintain consistent branding and tone
• Support campaigns to drive engagement with the RiverHub platform
• Monitor and report against BART strategy communication KPIs
• Contribute impact narratives to funding bids and reports

Community Engagement & Education

• Plan and lead school education sessions
• Deliver workshops, river-based events and outreach activities, including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) events
• Facilitate engaging, hands-on learning experiences including:
• Interactive activities for all age groups
• Citizen science demonstrations
• Wildlife and habitat exploration
• Support river clean-ups and conservation activities
• Empower participants to take practical action for their rivers
• Enable nature connection for underrepresented groups
• Manage small engagement budgets and report to the River Engagement & Education Lead

This role will be active across the Bristol Avon catchment and will involve regular outdoor and field-based work.

Impact of the Role

This position is pivotal to:

• Expanding BART’s citizen science network
• Increasing public understanding of river health
• Growing volunteer participation
• Strengthening RiverHub’s profile and credibility
• Supporting evidence-led advocacy and restoration

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience delivering community engagement, CSR events or education programmes
• Experience coordinating volunteers or citizen science initiatives
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Confident public speaker and facilitator
• Experience managing social media and digital content
• Strong organisational and logistical skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary and cross-organisational team
• Full UK driving licence and access to a car (with business insurance)

Desirable

• Knowledge of river ecology or freshwater systems
• Experience with water quality monitoring or Riverfly monitoring
• Graphic design or basic video editing skills
• Experience working with community interest groups or schools
• Experience reporting against KPIs or funding metrics
• Experience with fundraising
• Experience working with children

Competencies Required

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Strong storytelling ability – translating data into engaging narratives
• Confidence managing multiple workstreams simultaneously
• Attention to detail and strong organisational discipline
• Creativity and initiative
• Commitment to environmental restoration and community empowerment

Safeguarding

This role involves regulated activity with children. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check prior to employment.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to shape a growing citizen science programme
• Flexible and hybrid working
• 9% employer pension contribution
• A supportive, mission-driven team
• Meaningful work protecting rivers across the Bristol Avon catchment

We recognise that the environment sector is under-represented by those from Global Majority backgrounds, those from low-income backgrounds, LGBTQ+ and disabled people. We want to help change that and warmly welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. We can offer support with the recruitment process (including reasonable adjustments) to ensure everyone can apply on an equal footing. If you would like support, please contact [email protected].

General Notes

• This position involves working at a Bristol Office and home working, with regular travel around the Bristol Avon Catchment.
• There may be occasional requirements to work during evenings, weekends, and public holidays to fulfil the responsibilities of the role (with a time in lieu system).
• Physical fitness is essential, as the role includes physical outdoor activities, such as river restoration days, in various weather conditions.
• We expect you to perform your job duties with environmental awareness, minimising any potential damage to the environment.
• Our goal is to ensure that all resources are used effectively and efficiently.
• You will be expected to adhere to principles of “sound value for money” and follow procurement guidelines when purchasing goods and services.

Interviews for this post will take place in Bristol during w/c 5th May 2026.

Thank you for your interest in applying for a role with the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust.