Species Recovery Officer

Full-time, permanent 35 hours per week (part time at four days per week will be considered) | £32,542 - £34,306 (pro-rata) | Based at our office in Clapham, near Settle, and Forest of Bowland Office, Dunsop Bridge (mix of office and home working)

Join Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and help protect some of the region's most important wildlife and habitats. Working within our successful Hay Time team, you'll lead species recovery projects while supporting the restoration of grasslands across the Yorkshire Dales and Forest of Bowland.

We're looking for someone with experience in grassland restoration who can work effectively with landowners, volunteers and partners. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference for nature, climate and local communities while developing your career with a local charity delivering lasting environmental impact.

About the role

Our successful Hay Time project has enabled the restoration and enhancement of more than 850 hectares of wildflower hay meadows. As part of our Hay Time strategy, we are now working with Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme, Yorkshire Dales National Park and Forest of Bowland to link the conservation of wildflower grasslands and waxcap grasslands.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Project Officer to lead on delivering our species recovery work. This varied role will focus on supporting the enhancement of grasslands and verges with rarer species, the conservation of waxcap fungi and safeguarding populations of the Barred Tooth-striped moth across the Yorkshire Dales and Forest of Bowland.

As part of our successful Hay Time team, you will also support our work to protect and restore species-rich hay meadows, raise public awareness, enjoyment and understanding of this nationally important habitat. The role will also involve training volunteers to identify rare species and support ongoing monitoring and impact of our work.

You’ll play a critical role in enabling YDMT to expand our grassland and woodland work, increasing our ability to help tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and connect more people with nature. We are committed to delivering transformative projects for people and nature, and working with our communities and partners to increase our impact.

About you

We're looking for someone with a background in hay meadow and grassland restoration who can work with a range of landowners, providing advice and guidance.

Your role will focus on managing complex grassland schemes and providing targeted land management advice. You will need to work across YDMT’s teams and partners to share expertise and knowledge and be able to deliver within timeframes and budgets.

Underpinning all of this is your ability to work within our culture – which means sharing our values of being creative, caring, honest and enabling.

We believe the role will be a highly rewarding one, and a real opportunity for someone to develop their skills in a fantastic organisation, whilst benefiting this wonderful area and its communities.

About Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust

We are a small charity doing big things to help to protect and enhance the People, Landscape and Wildlife of the Dales.

For 29 years we have delivered diverse and inspirational projects, helping to plant 1.6 million trees and securing the future of more than 850 hectares of wildflower hay meadows, creating habitats for our wildlife and combatting climate change. We are passionate about inspiring disadvantaged groups and future generations to care for this special area. Our three-year strategy is centred around building partnerships that increase the scale and pace of nature recovery.

The deadline for applications is 9am, 27th July. Interviews will be held week commencing 3rd August 2026.