Hampshire Avon Citizen Science Coordinator

About us

For the Love of Water (FLOW) CIC is focused on protecting and improving the Hampshire Avon, and you could say that the river is our only shareholder. We fund our own engagement and nature recovery projects through profits gained from specialist river consultancy work. We are a not-for-profit community interest company limited by guarantee, meaning all profits are reinvested in delivering nature recovery. Since 2022, we’ve been focused on getting the wider community involved in monitoring river health and working with local groups to obtain bathing water status for popular recreational areas. We are a small organisation, with two employed staff, and we work closely with other organisations in the catchment.

Job Summary

We are seeking a skilled communicator to help us maximise the benefits of our exceptional network of water quality samplers. You will be the key point of contact for all samplers, including land managers, landowners, and the general public. You will keep track of all equipment and ensure everyone has access to the right kit and skills to collect robust data. There is scope to expand our sampling network, and you will play a crucial role in identifying new individuals and groups to partner with in target areas across the catchment. You will also help us establish and expand a new Riverfly macroinvertebrate monitoring network along the lower River Avon and its tributaries. You’ll also lead on public engagement events and interactions with the media.

Location - Mainly home-based with opportunity to work with colleagues at our small (home-based) office in Downton. Role involves site visits throughout the Hampshire Avon catchment.

Hours – The role is funded to cover 30 hours per week. There is flexibility in how these hours are spread across the week. There may be a requirement for occasional weekend and evening working.

Duration - We have funding for 12 months, with the potential to extend the term, subject to available funding.

Responsibilities

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be a key point of contact for water quality samplers (currently 15, expected to grow to 25)
• Be responsible for all data, which is collected via the RiverHub system.
• Send regular updates to all samplers
• Help investigate sources of pollution highlighted through citizen science data, through deployment of real-time water quality sondes.
• Report our data annually.
• Support with the establishment and administration of a small Riverfly monitoring hub, working in partnership with other local groups.
• Grow partnerships with other groups in the catchment, through the Hampshire Avon Catchment Partnership. New partners will be Wessex Rivers Trust, Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency, Natural England, and local farming groups
• Manage inventory of equipment and reagents.
• Updating our wordpress website, training provided.
• Liaison with national programs to ensure data consistency and compatibility.
• Support with communications, social media and press relations.
• Ensure that up-to-date records of samplers are kept, in accordance with GDPR.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES – subject to candidate experience and interests

• Analysis and review of citizen science datasets, including statistical analysis
• Support local communities with bathing water applications and associated bacterial sampling.
• Collaborate with our GIS specialist to explore innovative methods for displaying and sharing data through ESRI platforms.

Qualifications and skills

We are looking for someone with transferable skills. Who has a passion for the environment and a drive to make change, but river expertise is not required, as training can be given.

Essential

• A drive to protect our natural world and help restore nature
• Excellent administrative and organisational skills
• Good initiative & ability to work on own without constant supervision
• A great communicator, able to talk with confidence to a wide range of stakeholders, particularly land managers. This may be working with individuals or large groups / events.
• Experience of working with and understanding the needs of volunteers
• Computer literate and comfortable using Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• A current UK driving licence and access to a vehicle that can be insured for business use. Due the rural nature of the work area frequent car use will be required.

Desirable

• Experience with citizen science/water quality sampling
• Experience with Riverfly monitoring
• Skills in using Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
• Knowledge of rivers and aquatic ecology
• Knowledge of river catchments, especially the Hampshire Avon
• Experience in statistical analysis

We will require the successful candidate to undergo an enhanced DBS check, provide satisfactory references and evidence of qualifications.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary range: £27k- £30k (pro rata), depending on experience.
• Flexible hours.
• Flexible working location, from home, at our home-based office in Downton or potentially with our partner organisations.
• 30 days (pro-rata) paid annual leave, including bank holidays
• 8% Employers pension contribution
• £500 training budget (including first aid and working in water). Work Laptop, phone and all equipment and PPE as required.