Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust (YDRT) is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of rivers and their catchments within the YDRT catchment area. We work collaboratively with local communities and action groups, national parks, and various environmental organisations to deliver impactful projects that restore our rivers, enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and increase resilience to climate change. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and skilled individual to join our team as a Project Officer. You will play a crucial role in delivering YDRT’s ‘Solutions for the SUNO’ project, ensuring all milestones and deliverables are met within the 12-month project period. This includes developing detailed project plans, coordinating with landowners, partners, and stakeholders, and hosting community events. The successful candidate will work with farmers, landowners, contractors, partner organisations, volunteers, and other YDRT staff to develop land management and river restoration proposals aimed at improving the water quality and habitat of rivers across YDRT’s catchment area. The Project Officer will utilise the latest modelling and mapping outputs provided by the Rivers Trust to inform the design of proposals, aiding the identification of opportunities for nature-based solutions that deliver multiple benefits for the water environment (including climate change resilience, natural flood management, habitat connectivity, and water quality enhancement). They will build strong working relationships, negotiate conservation proposals, and ensure that all parties are kept well informed and engaged throughout the project. They will liaise with farmers and landowners to explain the objectives of the project, gain permission to carry out works on private land, and seek funding and/or practical contributions towards delivery in later years. The Project Officer will apply habitat and species survey methods, as well as general knowledge of river and catchment restoration techniques, to ground-truth modelling outputs and ensure that recommendations made are fit for purpose, beneficial, and relevant. The Project Officer will manage all aspects of their projects, ensuring they are delivered on time and to budget. Importantly, they will seek external funding opportunities and assist with submitting funding bids to support delivery of proposals made in following years. The successful candidate will work closely with other YDRT staff to design and host successful community events and workshops. Events and workshops will involve sharing and explaining model outputs relevant to the audience and area, providing the tools and understanding for community groups to lead and on their own conservation projects. The project officer will also promote the project through the Trust’s website, social media, and newspaper articles, working closely with YDRT’s Communications & Marketing Officer. Partnership collaboration is a fundamental aspect of YDRT's delivery; the Project Officer will agree priorities with project partners, including the Nidderdale National Landscapes, Yorkshire Dales National Park, and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, ensuring proposals compliment on-going catchment initiatives. They will seek opportunities to maximise the benefits of their projects and efficiencies through collaborative partnership working. The role will be home based but will work across YDRT’s catchment area, including hot-desking at the Trust’s office in Pateley Bridge. The post holder will be flexible, with occasional evening and weekend working. The post-holder will work well both alone and as part of a team of paid staff and volunteers. While the initial contract for this role is for 12 months, there is potential for the position to be extended beyond this period. This extension would provide the successful candidate with the opportunity to see their project plans come to life in the following years. The initial 12 months will be focused on creating detailed proposals, liaising with landowners, and helping to secure funding, which are crucial for the successful implementation of projects in the coming years. Salary: £28,446 - £31,803 (depending on experience) Hours: 37.5 hours per week Probationary period: Four months. During the probationary period, the contract may be terminated with one week’s notice. Annual leave: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays Pension: Contributory pension. The Trust contributes 9% salary. Location: The Trust has an office in Pateley Bridge. The successful candidate will have a hot desk available in the office but is not expected to work from the office every day. More Details: Key Responsibilities & Competency Details can be found on our website. Applications must be received no later than on Monday 14th April. Successful applicants will be invited to interview in person, more information will be provided if shortlisted.