Conservation Assistant
Butterfly Conservation
Responsible To: Interim Head of Nature Recovery Northern Ireland
Hours: 0.6 FTE (22.5 hours per week)
Contract: Fixed term post to 31st December 2026
Butterfly Conservation are seeking a self-motivated and enthusiastic person to help us deliver our strategic ambitions for species and landscapes. The role could suit an early career entrant who wants to make a contribution to our understanding of the status of priority species and landscapes.
If you enjoy field work and being out in the countryside surveying and monitoring species and habitats, then this is the role for you. You should also enjoy digitising data and using it to create maps and reports to share and inform our conservation work. Outside field work season, you will support the delivery of practical conservation work parties, engaging with partners and varied audiences and volunteers.
Job Purpose
- To deliver targeted surveys and monitoring for priority species and landscapes to meet Butterfly Conservation’s Strategic goals in Northern Ireland. Some species and priority landscapes are data deficient, and this role will enable Butterfly Conservation to collect the relevant data and information to help deliver strategic successes for priority species and landscapes.
- Support the delivery of a winter work party programme to deliver conservation action for target species and landscapes, while also engaging key audiences and volunteers.
Main Responsibilities
- Work with the Interim Head of Nature Recovery Northern Ireland to undertake field surveys for priority species of butterfly and moth and undertake habitat condition assessments on key landscapes.
- Record and map survey results and produce reports where required to support strategic goals, for project development and funder requirements.
- Co-lead or deliver winter work parties with staff, partners and volunteers to deliver conservation action for target species and engaging new audiences.
- Build relationships with stakeholders and partners in key landscapes for priority species to help deliver BC strategic ambitions.
- Contribute to Butterfly Conservation’s strategic delivery through GIS analysis, landscape-scale approach to conservation and knowledge sharing.
- Work cross-directorate within Butterfly Conservation to deliver our strategic ambitions and support our Branch, volunteers and recorders where required.
- Disseminate results of BC’s work including giving presentations, media interviews, preparation of scientific and popular reports, and through social media.
General
- Actively participate in Nature Recovery team meetings, cross-directorate meetings as required and all staff meetings.
- Undertake any such other work in connection with this role as may be required in agreement with your line manager.
- Ensure best practice with regards to Health and Safety both in the workplace and whilst conducting off-site conservation work for both yourself and other members representing Butterfly Conservation.
- Promote BC’s values (Excellence, Passionate, Inspiring, Collaborative) ensuring they are adopted in all aspects of the role.
- 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 believe our work has never been more important.
Wildlife is in steep decline across the UK and over three-quarters of butterflies and two-thirds of moths are declining. We recognise it needs a great team with a wide variety of skills to tackle the problems facing butterflies, moths and the environment.
Our staff and volunteers are proud to be part of Butterfly Conservation and are dedicated to making a difference to the environment we live in. We understand the importance of maintaining and expanding our expert and valued team of people and offer a range of roles located all over the UK, from the peat bogs in Scotland to the post room in Dorset.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early before the advertised closing date and time.
Closing date: 23 June 2026, 12pm
Interviews will be held on 2 - 3 July 2026 online.
About Butterfly Conservation
Butterfly Conservation is a vibrant, inspiring place to work and we're passionate about connecting people to nature. We're looking to recruit passionate ‘can-do’ people who can help us to create a world where butterflies and moths thrive and can be enjoyed by everyone, forever.
- Butterfly Conservation is a charity dedicated to saving butterflies, moths, and our natural environment. We are a leading authority on the conservation of these beautiful creatures – key indicators of a healthy ecosystem – and we have achieved numerous successes for them locally and nationally.
- Our people are at the heart of what we do. Our work is only possible thanks to the commitment and dedication of our supporters, volunteers, and staff.
- We employ world-class conservation scientists, making us the world’s largest research institute for butterflies and moths. Our data is used by government and policymakers to make a long-term difference for the environment.
- We are actively involved in hands-on conservation throughout the UK, at every level from individual households to landscape-scale habitats, working tirelessly to make a difference for butterflies, moths, and our environment – and to benefit all wildlife and the ecosystems upon which life depends.
- We run projects to protect threatened species, and we are involved in conserving hundreds of other sites across the UK.
Butterfly Conservation is a vibrant, inspiring place to work and we're passionate about connecting people to nature. We're looking to recruit passionate ‘can-do’ people who can help us to create a world where butterflies and moths thrive and can be enjoyed by everyone, forever. Butterfly Conservation is a charity dedicated to saving butterflies, moths, and our natural environment. We are a leading authority on the conservation of these beautiful creatures – key indicators of a healthy ecosystem – and we have achieved numerous successes for them locally and nationally. Our people are at the heart of what we do. Our work is only possible thanks to the commitment and dedication of our supporters, volunteers, and staff. We employ world-class conservation scientists, making us the world’s largest research institute for butterflies and moths. Our data is used by government and policymakers to make a long-term difference for the environment. We are actively involved in hands-on conservation throughout the UK, at every level from individual households to landscape-scale habitats, working tirelessly to make a difference for butterflies, moths, and our environment – and to benefit all wildlife and the ecosystems upon which life depends. We run projects to protect threatened species, and we are involved in conserving hundreds of other sites across the UK.
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