Are you ready to take conservation to new heights—literally? We’re on the hunt for a Terrain Detective (Drone Surveyor) with the vision, expertise, and passion to redefine how we map, monitor, and protect some of the UK’s most breathtaking landscapes. At Oxygen Conservation, we don’t collect data—we command it, using cutting-edge drone technology to unlock new frontiers in conservation.
In this role, you’ll lead the charge in revolutionising conservation, collecting high-quality data and developing innovative, industry-leading approaches to data analysis. This isn’t just another job, it’s a mission—and if you’re an explorer at heart, ready to push boundaries and challenge the status quo, we want you on board. If you’re ready to make an impact that matters, then strap in—we’re ready for takeoff!
ABOUT YOU
We believe in recruiting exceptional people and creating the role that allows them to do incredible things. We are committed to having a genuinely diverse team drawn from across the country, with a wide range of lived and learnt experiences.
At interview, we will ask you what you need from us to be awesome in this role and also ask you to share what your impact will be on our team culture. We recognise that this process is two-way and that you will be interviewing us, perhaps even more than we will be interviewing you. We promise that it won’t be a dull process.
You might have skills in some of the following areas, but whatever your skillset, we’d love to hear how you think you can make a real difference to Oxygen Conservation and the communities where we’re fortunate to work.
Environment
* Experience in, and excellent knowledge of, drone surveying with experience planning and piloting drones to collect topographical data.
* Knowledge of software and hardware requirements for processing raw drone captured data e.g. Pix4DMapper/Pix4DMatic, DJI Terra.
* Knowledge of software required for post-processing of captured data to produce the outputs we require. For example, knowledge of ArcGIS Pro/Online is useful but not essential.
* Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
Impact
* An entrepreneurial spirit and desire to build amazing methods that will be a quantum leap in current industry standards.
* Commitment to continuous personal development and that of the wider team.
* Ability to risk assess and manage rapidly changing and dynamic work environments.
Adventure
* Fuelled by a passion for adventure, environmental conservation, and making tangible impact.
* Willing, excited, and able (i.e. a full valid UK driving licence) to travel to sites throughout England, Scotland, and Wales.
* Ability to work alone to undertake drone surveys in some of our amazing but often very remote landscapes.
* Ability to travel at short notice and willingness to work in an outdoor environment throughout the year.
TOGETHER
* And of course, you have to be really nice! Sharing snacks on long journeys or a packed lunch whilst out in the rain is mandatory!
ABOUT THE ROLE
To solve the biggest threat to our world, we need high quality data, and we need it fast. We are seeking an innovative and ambitious Terrain Detective (Drone Surveyor), who has been crying out to use technology to influence conservation efforts at scale. Working across our amazing Estates in England, Scotland, and Wales, you will plan and execute drone surveys, integrate new technologies and workflows and manage the OC drone program. Your work will allow us to visualise these landscapes through topographical maps, orthomosaics and LiDAR point clouds, utilise thermal imaging to track wildlife populations, and bring us to the forefront of developing technologies that can help us in our mission. You will also work hand in hand with our GIS and spatial data experts to process the data and create models for use in environmental baselining and reporting on natural capital and environmental restoration. We have only scratched the surface of potential data points that we can collect, and we would look to you to build on this and challenge our assumptions of what is possible.
You will be given access to the best equipment and training that is required for the role and will be ready to take flight with our existing drone equipment as soon as you start. We’re looking for a talented individual who's ready to lead and shape our very own in-house capability. The opportunity to work at the cutting edge of the drone industry to ensure we remain at the forefront of industry-leading, mind-blowing technologies, is like no other — grab it with both hands!
KEY REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
* Bring technical expertise on the best methods and techniques to produce high quality outputs and build an industry-leading approach.
* Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of drone surveys at all of our sites, across all seasons.
* Take ownership of the company’s operations manual as the accountable manager for all drone operations across the company.
* Create outputs that are easily integrated into our GIS workflows.
* Develop detailed site maps and habitat monitoring approaches for each of our sites to understand our environmental baseline and changes following restoration activities.
* Providing accurate data on deer populations across our portfolio to support a data-led approach to our Deer Management Plan.
* Provide drone imagery to help our Marketing team develop beautiful, impactful visualisations to help tell our story of Scaling Conservation.
* Specify and procure all required surveying and processing equipment.
* Maintain and calibrate surveying equipment to ensure accurate measurements and reliable performance.
* Carry out work in accordance with company Health & Safety rules.
Our current methods use photogrammetry, LiDAR and thermal imaging techniques to create the following outputs, we would love to hear what you would change or improve:
* Digital Surface Model and Digital Terrain Models
* An orthomosaic image/ high resolution 2D map
* 3D pointcloud high resolution in LAS format
* 3D textured mesh model in high resolution
* Contour lines
* ArcGIS Online basemaps and 3D scene layers
* Herbivore distribution heat maps
ABOUT US
Oxygen Conservation was founded in 2021 by the Oxygen House Group and Dr Rich Stockdale with a clear mission: Scaling Conservation. We acquire land at scale on behalf of asset owners to deliver transformative environmental and social impact — creating profit as a result of what we do. In just three years, we’ve completed twelve transactions, assembling a portfolio of over 43,000 acres dedicated to restoring and protecting nature.
Our vision is intentionally aspirational and inspirational: by 2030, we aim to have £1 billion of natural capital assets under management, enabling us to protect and restore 250,000 acres of land for people and wildlife. By combining our scale, reputation, cutting-edge data, and exceptional skills, we’re redefining conservation.
Our work hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2022, we were named Start-Up of the Year at the Business Leader South West Awards, followed by Team of the Year at the 2023 Edie Awards and our nature fundings agreement with Triodos won ESG Deal of the Year at the 2024 Insider South West Dealmakers Awards. Our founder and CEO, Dr Rich Stockdale, is featured in the ENDS Power List as one of the top 100 UK environmental professionals driving significant impact, and was shortlisted for Edie’s Leader of the Year Award in 2024.
At Oxygen Conservation, we’re scaling impact, creating opportunities, and leading the charge for a nature-based economy that works for people, wildlife, and the planet.
KEY INFORMATION
Term: Full time, permanent
Location: Home based with regular travel to sites across the UK
Closing date: 20th July 2023