What's the role about? 

Ready for an exciting opportunity in wetland conservation? Join us in leading the RSPB’s Priority Landscape programme in the Somerset Levels and Moors!

We're seeking a skilled Conservation Officer (CO) to drive our Landscape programme until March 2026, based at RSPB West Sedgemoor reserve. Collaborate with our teams, volunteers, and partners on projects focusing on breeding waders, cranes, wintering waterbirds, peatland restoration, and water quality. Your role will also involve handling planning casework and contributing to the development of the Greater Sedgemoor Landscape Recovery ELM scheme.

We need someone experienced in wetland conservation, with excellent knowledge of wetland ecology, SSSIs/SPAs, and planning processes. Strong communication and team management skills are essential as is good experience of partnership working. While familiarity with the Somerset Levels is a plus, your passion for conservation is what truly matters. Join us in shaping the future of the Levels.

This role would make an excellent secondment opportunity.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience: 

Degree level qualification in a relevant subject or ability to show equivalent work experience.

Sufficient understanding of wetland species and habitats; landscape scale conservation; land use and management; planning systems; relevant policy and legislation.

Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and presentational) - including an ability to speak confidently and cogently in public to a variety of audiences.

Ability to rapidly analyse significant quantities of information, prioritise and balance a diverse workload often to tight deadlines

Experience of working to survey, protect and/or manage important sites, species or habitats.

Experience of managing staff or volunteers and setting clear work priorities.

Experience of productive partnership working.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

Competency in use of GIS.

Effective project management skills.

Understanding of the concept of landscape scale conservation and the pressures on land use in the Somerset Levels.

This is a Fixed-Term role until end March 2026, Full-Time role for 37.5hours per week. 

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position during from 10th June. For further information please contact helen.booker@rspb.org.uk.

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.