Junior Catchment Restoration Officer - Upper Teme Catchment

Location: Hybrid – home-based with occasional work at our Head Office in Martley and travel across the Upper Teme Catchment area.
Reports to: Programme Manager
Salary: £26,000 per annum
Contract Type: 12 month fixed term
Working Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Start your career in river conservation

At Severn Rivers Trust, we are passionate about restoring the River Severn and its tributaries. We have bold ambitions for the future and are growing our team to help turn the tide on the Severn’s recovery.

We are a practical, can-do organisation that thrives on challenges and takes action. If you are someone who is keen to learn, loves being outdoors, and wants to make a real difference for nature, this could be the perfect role for you.

A career pathway into environmental conservation

Are you enthusiastic about rivers and the natural environment, but don’t have years of experience? Our goal is to equip you with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to progress into an Officer-level role at Severn Rivers Trust. Over 12 months, you’ll get paid, hands-on experience working alongside our team, with structured training and mentoring to help you build the skills and confidence you need to move into a permanent role.

Landscape Connections

Shropshire Hills Landscape Connections is a project bringing people, nature and heritage together to create a more connected and resilient landscape for future generations. It is part of a wider programme of Landscape Connections projects aimed specifically at protected landscapes (National Parks, National Landscapes and AONBs) across the UK.

The project will deliver transformative change across the Shropshire Hills, addressing the pressing issues of climate change, biodiversity loss, economic instability, social isolation, and unequal access to nature. Over ten years (made up of a two-year development phase and an eight-year delivery phase) the project will deliver activity across three themes: Climate Resilience, Farming & Nature, and Unequal Access to Nature.

This is a partnership project led by National Trust with key delivery partners being Shropshire Hills National Landscape Team, Severn Rivers Trust and Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Project ideas have been developed collaboratively by a wider partnership including Upper Onny Farmers Group, Environment Agency and Natural England, informed by consultation with other local farmers, community groups and other stakeholders.

The project has been awarded development funding through The National Lottery Heritage Fund's Landscape Connections programme, made possible thanks to National Lottery players. This funding will support the partnership in developing detailed plans for a transformational long-term programme of work across the landscape.

Your role

As a Junior Catchment Restoration Officer, you will support the delivery of habitat creation and restoration projects in the Upper Teme catchment. You’ll gain hands-on experience in landowner engagement, habitat restoration, nature-based solutions, project management and partnership working. As your skills and confidence grow, you'll take on more responsibility and build a career at Severn Rivers Trust.

What you will do

• Support the delivery of habitat restoration projects, coordinating contractors, materials and site activities, while progressively taking ownership of project planning, implementation and successful completion.
• Undertake site assessments and research, helping to design practical conservation solutions while building positive relationships with landowners to develop and deliver environmental improvement projects.
• Work with farmers, landowners and local communities to identify opportunities, support events and training, and promote sustainable land management and river restoration initiatives.
• Develop technical, project management and engagement skills through mentoring, training and hands-on experience, with the opportunity to lead your own projects as confidence and experience grow.

Who we are looking for

• Someone with a genuine passion for nature and healthy rivers.
• A positive, motivated person who is eager to learn and willing to take on new challenges.
• Good communication skills and the confidence to engage with landowners, contractors, and community members.
• Organised, adaptable, and ready to work outdoors in all weathers.
• No degree or prior conservation experience is required – we are looking for your values, attitude, and potential to grow.
• Someone ideally based within the Upper Teme catchment, with a knowledge and passion for the area in which they live.

This is a fantastic opportunity to start a career in environmental conservation while contributing to the restoration of one of Britain’s most important river systems.

Ready to take your first step? Apply now and be part of the Severn’s recovery!