Are you passionate about securing a future for Wales's rainforests? Do you have a clear understanding of the challenges facing our woodland habitats and species? Are you a passionate conservationist who wants to have landscape scale impact? If so, we have a fantastic opportunity for you to work on the conservation of temperate rainforests and the amazing species they hold by joining our team as our Meirionnydd Oakwoods Conservation Officer. What's the role about? In your role you will be responsible for delivering RSPB’s Meirionnydd Oakwoods Priority Landscape Plan. To lead and support the conservation of the many species and habitats of national and international importance across this woodland landscape, ensuring delivery of the RSPB’s Saving Nature Strategy in this region. The role will deliver a work programme focused on the conservation, enhancement, creation and restoration of our priority woodland habitats in the Meirionnydd Oakwoods SAC and surrounding landscapes. This will include partnership working, key species monitoring, woodland management, land management advice, overseeing conservation projects and engagement in woodland and forestry land use policy. This post will have a key role in furthering the development of the Eryri Rainforest Partnership, working with the Eryri National Park and other strategic partners on woodland conservation across the temperate rainforest zone in Eryri. This will involve contributing to regular Partnership meetings, site visits, advisory work, species training, community engagement and reporting on project delivery. The post will develop and manage programmes, projects and associated budgets, working with RSPB colleagues. This includes projects in which RSPB is playing a leading role in the landscape, such as the Celtic Rainforest LIFE Project and also working with the RSPB Mawddach Valley Reserves Team for wider landscape objectives. You will be proactive with other key stakeholders to deliver ambitious targets for the sustainable management of woodland habitats through dynamic, evidence based and effective partnership working, ensuring RSPB’s policies and messages are understood within relevant landscape partnerships and fora. This will include advisory input to stakeholder woodland management plans, Forest Resource Plans and furthering a co-designed approach to catchment based woodland resource management planning. You will support on the design and delivery of species monitoring programmes, drawing on advice from science and technical experts. You will contribute expertise to the wider RSPB team, monitoring and reporting on the work plan and development of new work plans and project ideas, supporting our fundraising team to develop funding applications. You will also be expected to contribute expertise and experience to RSPB’s policy and advocacy work and contribute to the delivery of our communications objectives in various ways. This is a fantastic opportunity to play your part in being at the forefront of delivering RSPB Cymru's conservation work within an area of Wales that is incredibly rich in biodiversity and iconic woodland landscapes - if that sounds like the job for you, we would love to hear from you. Essential skills, knowledge and experience: Good understanding of woodland and forestry ecology and conservation; land use and management; relevant policy and legislation, and a range of delivery mechanisms for woodland habitat/species conservation. Ability to work effectively as a team player both internally and in external partnerships. Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) - including an ability to speak confidently and cogently in public to a variety of audiences. Ability to rapidly analyse significant quantities of information, to prioritise and balance a diverse workload often to tight deadlines. Competent user of core MS Office programmes. Experience of negotiating with the public or private sector, to deliver biodiversity benefits, through both regulatory and voluntary means. An ability to inspire and influence people who may have a different perspective than you. Experience of working to survey, protect and/or manage important sites, species or habitats. Desirable skills, knowledge and experience: An ability to speak the Welsh language. Experience of managing staff. Competency in use of GIS. Experience of public engagement work. Effective project management skills. An understanding of key woodland species conservation, such as wood warbler, hawfinch and lower plants. Understanding of the concept of landscape scale conservation and the pressures on land use in upland Wales. This is a fixed-term role for 37.5 hours per week until 31st July 2027. We are looking to conduct interviews for this position in early/mid December 2024. For further information please contact david.smithrspb.org.uk As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and 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. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract. Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.