Dormouse Officer

Role:
This post is a member of the Conservation Programme Team, one of three teams within the wider Conservation Team. This post runs and is responsible for delivering the activities and objectives of the Hazel Dormouse Recovery Programme.

The Dormouse Officer organises and delivers the PTES hazel dormouse recovery programme objectives in partnership with internal colleagues and external partners. They play a central role in English and Welsh dormouse conservation efforts through the three projects that PTES runs and delivers that form the basis of the statutory defined recovery programme.

Key responsibilities

1. National Dormouse Monitoring Programme (NDMP)
   • engage with volunteers at NDMP sites, maintaining and enhancing the quality of the programme, offering support as needed
   • manage online site registration and maintain an effective online data entry system,
   • refresh and share field-based monitoring guidance annually (including responsibility for H&S risk assessments as required, in conjunction with external experts as required)
   • manage a Google forum and produce quarterly E-news communications to enthuse and support volunteers
   • regularly attend and lead field-based monitoring sessions at the trusts reserve or elsewhere
   • use the annual trend data (that is analysed by an external statistician) to produce public facing summaries and interpretation including contributing to three yearly State of Britain’s Dormouse reports
   • contribute to and inform media content relating to the NDMP
   • manage the dormouse nest box programme that produces and distributes dormouse nest boxes to support NDMP sites and supply boxes to ecological consultants
2. Hazel Dormouse Reintroduction Programme
   • source suitable woodland sites (often years in advance) in strategic locations
   • liaise with captive breeders and vets to ensure sufficient healthy animal’s supply
   • ensure landowners and managers understand benefits of and have the support and skills to undertake sympathetic and sustainable habitat management at their site
   • ensure a pipeline of willing, skilled local volunteers, to support the reintroduction, monitor the releases population and support management efforts in the future
   • produce regular reports on the outcomes and success of the reintroduction programme for stakeholders and funders
   • act as a media spokesperson for this project if and when required
3. Knowledge sharing, guidance and support
   • Identify, collate and update evidence to produce land management, ecology training sessions and survey guidance (in conjunction with external experts as required)
   • comment on and critique guidance produced by other stakeholders (for example Forestry Commission management guidance)
   • Plan and deliver the national dormouse conference (typically every three years) with assistance from other staff
4. Finance, funding and reporting
   • manage and track the budget for the hazel dormouse programmes of work
   • contribute to funding bids and work with the fundraising team to support income generation
   • monitor expenditure and produce reports (as required) for funders (for example Natural England) and the board
   • maintain oversight of the Hazel Dormouse Strategic Plan (as set out in the Conservation Standards framework) to enable adaptive management
5. National species conservation strategy
   • contribute to the development and delivery the goals and objectives with a broad group of stakeholders
   • responsible for delivering objectives that have been set to enable the strategy
6. Other work
   Contribute to the organisation through project work that may vary from time to time.

Working principles for all PTES colleagues

• Commit to a respectful, positive working culture, displaying professional etiquette to ensure all staff, external colleagues and volunteers feel safe, valued and empowered.
• Work collaboratively with other colleagues within teams and across the organisation; take accountability for achieving work objectives.
• Undertake all duties in compliance with PTES’ policies, processes and code of conduct, role modelling inclusive behaviour to enable a diverse workforce.
• Are cost conscious and respectful of funders’ money. In line with the Charity Commission’s guidelines, make good financial decisions to minimise cost and maximise impact by the charity.
• Commit to personal and professional development and learning, and one-to-one meetings with line managers and direct reports where applicable.
• Exhibit empathy with the mission and vision of PTES and devote work time to duties that algin with the strategy.
• Demonstrate high enthusiasm for nature, conservation and public engagement with wildlife and wild habitats.
• Are good external ambassadors for the organisation.

Professional skills and competencies

A degree in zoology/ ecology or an equivalent qualification or experience: Yes
Skilled in working with external partners to deliver complex project work: Yes
Holds a Hazel dormouse survey or research level 1 licence (for at least 5 years): Yes
Skilled in distilling science-based subject matter for impact with key audiences: Yes
Project management: Yes
Event and conference management: Yes
Co-delivery with external partners: Yes
Managing complex datasets and analysis: Yes
Confident presentation on external platforms: Yes
Good basic understanding of finance and budgets: Yes

Personal skills and competencies

Collaboration and teamwork: Works in partnership with colleagues and external partners to deliver work effectively together, putting team before self for better results. (Y)

Focus and delivery: Prioritises essential tasks which are aligned with PTES’ mission and goals, ensuring timely and effective delivery. (Y)

Adaptability and resilience: Demonstrates adaptability and willingness to respond to new or changing environments. Able to respond decisively with careful thought. (Y)

Communication: Communicates clearly and succinctly, both written and verbally, with knowledge and evidence, ensuring impact. (Y)

Analytical and data driven. Is confident in the use of data and insight to ensure evidence-based decisions and risk mitigation. (Y)

Deadline: Friday 30th October
Interviews: Last week of November, first week of December. In-person and online options will be available.
Start date: The successful candidate will start in the new year.