Overview

Are you committed to supporting community-powered change to help nature recover? Do you have the skills to support communities, work collaboratively and lead habitat creation and species surveys?

The Community Ecologist is a new role which will work alongside the existing staff team, volunteers and local communities to co-produce projects that support local climate and nature action plans. The Community Ecologist will provide non-chargeable advice, field surveys and practical support to Community & Volunteer Groups, Parish Councils & Local Authorities, Schools, Youth and educational settings. This Community Ecologist will advise, support and enable communities to take practical and meaningful action for nature’s recovery.

This role will bring a broad knowledge of UK fauna and flora and habitats, with good identification skills to a sufficient standard for managing engagement activities. This role would suit someone with previous paid or voluntary experience in a relevant role such as seasonal ecologist, seasonal ranger, community ranger, assistant surveyor or ecologist in consultancy setting.

This is a fixed term contract fully funded until 31st May 2026, made possible thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, as part of the Wilder Communities 30 x 30 fund.

The Community Ecologist would be expected to spend approximately 50% of their week working within the community on people facing and outdoor tasks, and 50% of their week on desk-based tasks (this is an approximate breakdown and will vary week to week depending on the demands of the role). Formally based at our Taunton office with opportunities for home working, and use of offices in Callow and the Avalon Marshes Centre. County wide travel required.

Evening and weekend working occasionally required, with time off in lieu available.

Person Specification

Essential:

  • Qualified or proven work experience in the field of ecology and/or habitat management.
  • Full UK driving license, access to vehicle for work purposes and able to travel across Somerset.
  • Broad knowledge of UK fauna and flora and habitats, with good identification skills, and awareness of current UK wildlife legislation to a sufficient standard for managing engagement activities.
  • Field experience in a relevant role e.g. seasonal ecologist, seasonal ranger, community ranger, assistant surveyor or ecologist in consultancy setting.
  • Species identification and surveying skills.
  • Passionate about community engagement and supporting local climate and nature action plans.
  • Experience of working with or as a volunteer to help achieve positive outcomes for the environment.
  • Experience of working or volunteering in a people facing role and engaging with a wide diversity of people.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, able to communicate clearly and confidently with members of the public from a wide range of backgrounds and collaborate with colleagues. Able to listen, inspire, facilitate and negotiate to enable action.
  • Good organisational skills working with volunteers and community groups.
  • Competent administrative, communication (written and oral), report writing, and IT skills.
  • Able to work within a team on shared programmes to deliver actions.
  • Good time management and able to work to tight deadlines and juggle multiple priorities.
  • Practical, outdoorsy and comfortable mucking in with a variety of tasks whatever the weather.
  • Friendly and approachable. Able to meet people where they are at.

Desirable:

  • Species or habitat specific licenses, training or qualifications which demonstrate interests and field experience.
  • Relevant degree (e.g. ecology, wildlife conservation, environmental management).
  • Community organising, education or engagement qualification or equivalent experience.
  • Proven track record of working collaboratively with diverse communities to deliver & achieve environmental actions connecting people to nature.
  • Commitment to the aims of the Wildlife Trust movement.
  • Awareness of, and a commitment to, tackling the barriers that may exist to volunteering and nature engagement and the impact on diversity.
  • A good knowledge of the benefits of the natural environment for maintaining and improving health and wellbeing.
  • Confident public speaking and/or facilitating meetings.
  • A good knowledge of Somerset’s geography, its communities and demographics.
  • An understanding of the work of the Wildlife Trusts and our 10-year ambition for Somerset.

For further information on the role contact Bryony Slaymaker, Wilder Communities Manager, at bryony.slaymaker@somersetwildlife.org

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