Pool Frog Recovery Manager

The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC) seeks an experienced ecologist to lead on its work to recover the critically endangered northern pool frog (Pelophylax lessonae). A substantial part of the role will be to manage an exciting new project, “Targeted Recovery Actions for the Northern Pool Frog”. Thanks to a substantial award from Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme Grant Scheme, ARC is initiating this project to enhance the conservation status of the pool frog in England.

The northern pool frog is currently found at only two sites in Norfolk, having been reintroduced from Sweden after going extinct in the 1990s. This new project will aid the recovery of the critically endangered northern pool frog by completing a previously started translocation and initiating translocations to two additional sites. Preparation of these sites includes pond creation and pingo restoration. It will involve working with a wide range of partners, including regulators, landowners, volunteers and researchers. The project also involves initiating and supporting a PhD project in conjunction with the University of Salford.

The post requires an understanding of amphibian conservation, planning, reporting and financial management, as well as line managing two non-concurrent seasonal posts.

The post will be home-based, and the post-holder will be expected to either live in or be able to travel regularly to the Thetford (Norfolk) area for meetings and fieldwork, so owning a car is necessary. Some travel elsewhere in Britain will be required, including occasional visits to ARC’s offices in Dorset. Travel expenses and home working expenses will be paid, and IT equipment will be provided.

The main duties are as follows:

• Planning and reporting on Species Recovery Programme (SRP) project progress internally to ARC and to Natural England.
• Overseeing the SRP project budget and risk register.
• Establishing SRP project evaluation methods.
• Delivering major elements of the project directly, including: liaison with researchers and supporting PhD student, leading on reintroductions, monitoring, volunteer engagement, habitat restoration, communications and liaison with landowners.
• Line managing a seasonal Project Officer to deliver, or assist with delivery of, certain elements of the project, focusing on practical aspects of reintroduction, monitoring and volunteer engagement.

Note: because this post involves work with legally protected amphibians for which there are particular concerns over pathogen risks, the post would not suit someone who currently keeps non-native amphibians at home, unless they are willing to comply with strict biosecurity protocols.

How to apply: Please send a covering letter explaining your interest in the role and how you meet the person specification, plus a completed application form, to Angela Reynolds at [email protected] by 12 pm on Friday 4th September 2026. You will find the job description, person spec and application form on ARC's website when you click the 'Find out more and apply' button.

Interviews will be held online on the 16th and 17th of September.

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Jim Foster ([email protected]).