Investing in Incredible Invertebrates Project Officer

Job Description

Cultivating Learning and Nature CIC are looking for a project officer to fulfil the requirements of a Heritage Lottery grant application.

Job title: Investing in Incredible Invertebrates Project Officer
Responsible to: Directorship of Cultivating Learning and Nature
Salary: £29,000 per annum pro rata paid monthly in arrears
Location: Local within Herefordshire, with regular field trips around the county
Duration: This is a fixed term contract from October 2026 to June 2029
Hours: 22.5 hours per week (0.6FTE based on standard 7.5hr working day), usually Monday to Friday. Occasional evening work and weekend will be required.
Statutory leave: 25 days (pro rata) plus public holidays.
Probation period: The post is subject to the successful completion of a three-month probationary period.
Pension: Eight percent of salary (in addition to salary stated above) for standard contracted hours

Job Overview

The purpose of this role is to steer the Heritage Lottery grant in promoting the recording of invertebrates across Herefordshire.

Following a successful Heritage Lottery application to promote the recording and conservation of invertebrates in Herefordshire we are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and organised individual to run the project and work alongside community groups and statutory organisations.

• Invertebrate recording event and training provision and management
• Volunteer Management and recruitment
• Biological recording experience
• Publicity and marketing
• Community development
• Enterprise development and support

To achieve this, the Project Officer will work under the direction of the project management group of Cultivating Learning and Nature and in close contact with invested partners such as Herefordshire Biological Records Centre and Herefordshire Wildlife Trust.

Responsibilities and Key Tasks

• Responsibility for the coordination and delivery of project activities in the Herefordshire region (taught courses, survey volunteer days, public events, local recording initiatives and mentoring and support for volunteers)
• Developing and managing the relationship with the invertebrate recording communities within the Herefordshire project area
• Develop the project content and direction with a view to filling in gaps of understanding
• Facilitate and develop a steering group which will have oversight on the project
• Liaise with funder, inputting into quarterly and annual reports
• Establishing and maintaining links with other organisations, groups, third sector and statutory bodies to include a wide reach of participants
• Manage one wider scale event that promotes the project
• Promote and advertise the project through social media, radio, tv and other channels
• Manage and coordinate volunteers
• Any other duties that may reasonably be required to ensure the promotion of the ‘Investing in Incredible Invertebrate’ biodiversity initiative
• Ability to manage budgets and handle financial processes
• Experience in project management
• Due to the nature of this post it would be advantageous if the post holder were able to drive.
• Complying with all relevant legislation and Health and Safety practices
• Delivering a high standard of customer service and customer care
• Ensuring the highest standards of quality are achieved in all duties carried out
• Working closely with other staff to ensure that appropriate levels of service are maintained during absences and periods of high workload
• Maintaining professional standards at all times in accordance with Cultivating Learning and Nature procedures

Undertake other tasks as directed by the Investing in Incredible Invertebrates Steering Group

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

It is essential that you have:

• Brokering/negotiation skills, tact and diplomacy
• Experience of biological recording or other community environmental initiatives, and specialist skills relevant in the Herefordshire region particularly with invertebrate groups
• Ability to work independently and on own initiative, as well as ability to work under direction & collaboratively
• Good interpersonal skills - to develop effective working relationships with groups, public bodies and other organisations
• Team working skills – to effectively work alongside colleagues, sharing knowledge, providing advice and guidance when necessary to build good working relationships.
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good organisational and multi-tasking skills
• Experience as a volunteer or working with volunteers
• A flexible and adaptable approach to meet the needs of the project.
• Enthusiasm for the aims and objectives of the Investing in Incredible Invertebrates project.
• Full UK driving license, willingness to travel throughout designated geographical area and access to a vehicle
• Experience of public speaking
• Good project working skills – planning, reporting, meeting deadlines
• Experience of raising project finance

Reporting and Supervision

• 3 month probationary period
• You will work under the direction of the Investing in Incredible Invertebrates steering group to an agreed 3 monthly work plan

Closing date: 17th August 2026