Species Recovery Officer - Beaver
| Posting date: | 01 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £33,854 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 27 April 2026 |
| Location: | BS16 1EJ |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | 455756/1 |
Summary
As the Species Recovery Officer - Beaver Projects Coordinator, you will support the delivery of species recovery through conservation translocation projects in our districts and across England, from planning and feasibility through to delivery and post-release monitoring. You will use your skills and experience in nature recovery and project management to implement the strategic delivery of beaver reintroductions across Forestry England’s Forest District teams. You will advise and play a key role in developing project documentation including project management plans, budgets, feasibility reports, risk assessments and translocation plans.
This role is funded by DEFRA rather than through Forestry England generated revenue, and is therefore subject to government spending reviews. While DEFRA has indicated long term support for the Biodiversity Programme and we expect funding to continue, it is possible that funding levels may change at the end of any financial year depending on DEFRA’s budget allocations. In the event of funding changes, we would prioritise retaining staff posts wherever possible. This approach is consistent for roles within publicly funded organisations. We are committed to keeping staff informed and supported through any changes.
Please see the job description below for more information and details about what we need from you.
Where you’ll work…
Any Forestry England office, with hybrid home working available. Travel across England will be required.
The duties of this post require the post holder to sometimes travel to remote locations that are not accessible by public transport. You will therefore need to hold a full and current driving licence that enables you to drive in the UK and be willing to stay away from home. We are willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by other means.
Project Management -
- Lead on the development of the vision and the project plan for one or more species recovery projects, and/or help govern and guide this where other organisations are the lead partner.
- Apply appropriate project management principles to ensure effective and timely project implementation, in accordance with Forest Wilding Programme guidance and frameworks.
- Ensure relevant project documentation is produced and maintained throughout the lifecycle of the project.
- Develop annual and long-term work programmes and budgets for the project(s), supported by relevant project boards and sub-groups and the Forest Wilding Programme Team.
- Manage a delegated budget to ensure the project(s) are managed within budgetary limits and fiscal guidelines.
- Support funding bids for external funding and ensure that commitments to funders for the projects are appropriately met through project delivery.
- Fulfil necessary corporate and funder reporting.
Species Recovery -
- Follow and adhere to conservation translocation best practice to ensure an evidence-informed approach is applied throughout, whether we are a lead or supporting partner.
- Ensure biological, ecological and socio-economic factors are considered and addressed throughout the project’s lifecycle, including end-of-project review.
- Procure and manage contracts and contractors, including ecological and social science consultants, and academic institutions.
- Support the investigation of the (re)introduction of influential species to wild areas, which help restore natural processes.
- Ensure Forestry England procurement and contract management regulations are followed throughout the project.
- Lead on progressing one or more species recovery projects, at scoping and feasibility, release, or postrelease monitoring and management stage; working with district colleagues and the Forest Wilding Programme Team to recover influential species to our landscapes.
Knowledge and Monitoring -
- Lead or feed into the design, commission and interpretation of ecological, biological and socioeconomic feasibility studies to guide species reintroduction projects.
- Ensure best practice and evidence-informed release strategies and post-release monitoring and management are implemented.
- Work with the national Forest Wilding programme team, colleagues from Forest Research and wider academia to learn from and share best practice from the projects.
- Ensure appropriate licensing requirements are understood and met, in addition to considerations around forestry operations.
Communications and Public Engagement -
- Support the development of partnerships with other organisations to increase the scale and effectiveness of species recovery outcomes.
- Lead or support the development and delivery of a stakeholder engagement plan(s) alongside district and national colleagues, building and managing relationships with relevant stakeholders.
- Work with district and national communications colleagues to develop and implement a communications plan(s) for the project(s).
- Showcase the project to internal and external stakeholders to gain support for forest wilding, nature recovery and further delivery within the nation’s forests.
And any other tasks, reasonably requested by your line manager.
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