Project Officer (Commons)

Job Title: Project Officer (Commons)
Location: Keswick Convention Centre, Skiddaw Street, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4BY
Hours: 35 hours per week (1 FTE) (flexible working hours)
Salary: Grade 4A-4D between £33,161-£37,897p.a. depending on experience plus 9% pension
Contract Length: 12 months (extension likely, subject to funding). We are open to secondments.

West Cumbria Rivers Trust is an environmental charity dedicated to improving the watercourses and surrounding catchments in West Cumbria for people and wildlife. Our patch covers several principal river catchments spanning a substantial part of the Lake District National Park, West Cumbria and the Solway. We have an impressive track-record of successful delivery of projects.

We have a vacancy for a Project Officer (Commons) to join the passionate and growing team delivering the ‘Resilient Glenderamackin’ Landscape Recovery (RGLR) project - an ambitious, large-scale catchment restoration project located upstream of Keswick. Combining public and private investment through a blended finance approach, this pioneering project aims to restore habitats, support nature-friendly farming, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, restore rivers and watercourses, and improve biodiversity across the wider catchment for long-term environmental and community benefit. Following the successful submission of deliverables for the Round 2 Landscape Recovery project development phase, we are now preparing to expand the Resilient Glenderamackin team to implement this ambitious 20-year project (subject to successful negotiations).

We are seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Project Officer to play a key role in developing and delivering our ambitious habitat restoration proposals on three commons as part of this multi-million-pound programme. Working closely with the Resilient Glenderamackin project team, you will act as the main point of contact for the commoners and landowners involved in the project. Your ecological knowledge and expertise will be instrumental in supporting the commons to transition into an RGLR agreement - or alternative agreements where appropriate - to improve the condition of these unique upland habitats, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), whilst supporting sustainable farm businesses within a World Heritage Site. This is a wide ranging role involving liaising with stakeholders, running consultations and close collaboration with commoners, landowners and regulatory authorities to develop and agree habitat management proposals for the restoration of these important upland habitats. You will lead on the creation and implementation of three ambitious Commons Land Management Plans in the northern Lake District which will form part of the wider project Resilient Glenderamackin Land Management Plan.

The role is expected to continue beyond 12 months, subject to successful negotiations with Defra.

The successful candidate will have a degree, or equivalent experience, in an ecological or environmental discipline and at least 2 years’ experience in a relevant field. Building and maintaining positive working relationships with the graziers, non-graziers and landowners upon whose land the land management plans will be delivered is a key aspect of this role. Strong communication skills and the ability to work with a wide range of people in a friendly and professional manner are therefore essential. You will be an excellent listener, empathetic, and able to negotiate workable and practical solutions when a consensus view does not immediately emerge. You will be a self-starter who can demonstrate a committed, mature and flexible approach and have the enthusiasm to develop our work on the commons. You will work closely with other members of the RG team, an external facilitator and partners including Foundation for Common Land and Natural England. You will also have excellent organisational, I.T. and report writing skills. Training and support will be provided.

You will be part of a friendly and supportive team, reporting to the Resilient Glenderamackin Project Manager and supported by the Trust’s Senior Management Team, WCRT’s Trustees and the wider Resilient Glenderamackin project team as well as working closely with a wide range of external partners including the Environment Agency, Farmer Network and The Rivers Trust.

The Trust offers a range of benefits including a generous pension scheme, life assurance scheme, flexible working opportunities and a holiday buy-back scheme and a never-ending supply of tea and biscuits.

If you believe that you have the passion, commitment and skills to take this exciting opportunity forward then we would like to hear from you. For further details and an application form, please visit the West Cumbria Rivers Trust website.

The closing date for applications is 9am on Wednesday 24th June 2026. Interviews will be held at our offices in Keswick on Wednesday 8th July 2026.

If you would like to discuss the post further, please contact the office on 017687 75429 or email [email protected].