Project Officer

TITLE: Project Officer
AREA: North East and North Yorkshire
STATUS: Full time
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: 3 Months
SALARY: £28,500 - £40,000 (Depending on experience and skill set)

The Tees Rivers Trust is seeking a practical, enthusiastic and experienced Project Officer to join our team.

The successful candidate will be employed by Tees Rivers Trust but will work predominantly for its commercial trading arm, Nature Based Solutions Ltd, supporting its continued development and growth while delivering high-quality environmental contracting projects across the North East and North Yorkshire.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing organisation and play an important role in expanding the delivery of practical habitat restoration and nature-based solutions. If you have experience in construction, groundworks, forestry, landscaping, agriculture, conservation or countryside management, and enjoy working outdoors, this role offers the opportunity to apply your existing skills while developing new ones in the environmental sector.

The Role

Working as part of the team, you will help deliver a wide variety of habitat creation, restoration and environmental improvement projects. You'll be involved in all aspects of practical work in all weathers, supporting the continued growth of Nature Based Solutions Ltd through the successful delivery of projects for a range of clients.

Typical projects include:

• In stream and bankside river restoration and enhancement.
• Natural Flood Management (NFM) schemes.
• Wetland creation and habitat enhancement.
• Woodland creation and management.
• Fish passage and fish easement projects.
• Invasive non-native species management.
• Fisheries and electrofishing surveys.

The work ranges from small-scale habitat improvements to major river restoration projects involving excavators, specialist environmental techniques and civil engineering works.

Who We're Looking to Hear From

We are keen to hear from a wide range of applicants with different skills, experience and practical backgrounds. Whether you have previous experience in countryside management, environmental contracting, construction, land management or another practical outdoor role, we would like to hear from you.

We are looking for individuals who enjoy working outdoors, take pride in delivering high-quality work and are keen to develop their skills. Most importantly, we want people who are hardworking, practical and enthusiastic about contributing to the growth of an ambitious environmental contracting business.

You'll ideally have experience in one or more of the following:

• Construction or civil engineering.
• Forestry or Arboriculture.
• Plant and machinery operation.
• Agriculture.
• Conservation or countryside management.

Previous experience in practical conservation work is advantageous but not essential. We're equally interested in candidates with strong practical skills, a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.

Location

The role is primarily based within the River Tees catchment, although travel throughout the wider North East and North Yorkshire will occasionally be required to support project delivery.

Criteria

Essential

• A valid full driving licence is also required and access to own vehicle.
• NPTC Chainsaw Maintenance & Cross Cutting (CS30/201).
• NPTC Small Tree Felling (CS31/203).
• Experience carrying out practical habitat management works.
• Ability to follow risk assessments and safe systems of work.
• Ability to work on your own initiative.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.

Desirable

• NPTC Medium/Large Tree Felling (CS32/301).
• PA1/PA6AW safe use and application of professional pesticides.
• CPCS Plant qualification (Excavator and/or Dumper).
• Relevant qualification in Countryside Management, Environmental Conservation, Arboriculture, Forestry or Land Management (Level 2 or above) or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience in working under Contract Design Management 2015 Regulations (CDM 2015)
• First Aid at Work / Emergency First Aid at Work.
• IT Skills such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.

The closing date for applications is Midnight on Sunday 6th September August 2026. Interviews will be held at the Tees Rivers Trust office in Darlington.