Peatland Monitoring Officer

Are you looking for a fantastic opportunity to work collaboratively with landowners, farmers and regional specialists on an exciting lowland agricultural peatland project? You'll gather essential baseline data through in-house monitoring and working with external consultants. Your work will inform the plans to rewet and restore lowland peatland habitat, halting peat loss and reducing carbon emissions.

Brief description of role

This is an exciting opportunity to work in one of the country's most important areas of lowland peatland, helping these wetlands become climate resilient and rewetting areas to reduce carbon emissions.

By joining Avon Wildlife Trust and the Moor Futures project team as the Peatland Monitoring Officer, you will use your surveying and monitoring skills to gather baseline data. This will inform the design of plans to rewet and restore lowland agricultural peatland habitat, halting peat loss and reducing carbon emissions.

The Moor Futures project team (a consortium of regional partners) have been active in the NSLM for 3 years. Over this time a collaborative partnership has been developed between key stakeholders including local landowners and farmers. Conversations which started about the importance of peatlands progressed to explore theoretical options for rewetting and restoration.This resulted in consensus to move into the development of plans that will enable change on the ground.

The project is funded by Defra through the Lowland Peatland Water Discovery Grant scheme, and administered by the Environment Agency.

Who are we?

Avon Wildlife Trust is the longest established charity working towards nature’s recovery across Bath and Northeast Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire.

We were established in 1980, and have a strong track record of creating, restoring, and protecting vital habitats for nature.

Our region has an amazing array of different habitats, and we are working across them all. From our urban roots to the breathtaking Levels and Moors, through magical woodlands and precious grasslands.

As the first urban Wildlife Trust, we are leaders in engagement and community organising for nature within our cities, helping to sustain vital green corridors and connecting people with nature within urban areas.

We’re supported by an active membership from across our region, and more than 350 volunteers, including our trustees, who share their expertise and time to help us achieve our goals.

We are part of a wider network of 46 Wildlife Trusts across the UK and work with many partners to protect our natural environment and secure a flourishing future for wildlife and people together.

Avon Wildlife Trust values diversity. We are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures. We also have robust child safeguarding policies, and this role requires two work references and an enhanced DBS check.

Benefits

• Pension with 5% employer contribution
• Life assurance
• Hybrid working
• Wellbeing support including Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Discounts and Cycle Scheme
• Wildlife Trusts Diversity networks
• Paid volunteering day
• Training and development
• One free Avon Wildlife Trust run course day per year
• Minimum 33 days of holiday (25 annual leave + bank holidays) pro rata plus long service loyalty scheme
• The opportunity to make a real and positive difference to nature