Trainee Field Ecologist – Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA ) program.(Ref: 5671)

East Midlands (England), East of England, London (region), North East England, North West England, South East England, South West England, West Midlands (England), Yorkshire and the Humber

This position is based nationally

The Team:

We are looking for candidates with an interest or experience in field survey to join the Natural Capital & Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) project team. This is an entry level role which will work alongside and learn from a supportive and growing national team, working on an innovative environmental monitoring project. The role concentrates on training and development. The aim is that this 12-month programme will give candidates the opportunity to develop and enhance their careers further and is aimed specifically at those seeking employment within the Field Ecology sector.

Do you have a passion for nature and the environment? Do you want to make a real difference and secure significant environmental gains in the present and the future? Do you enjoy working in a team? Can you see yourself advising communities and customers to maximise gains for the Natural Environment?

If this appeals to you, a career at Natural England offers rewarding opportunities to secure environmental improvements and play your part in creating a better future for people and nature.

The priority work Natural England is delivering includes:

• Establishing a Nature Recovery Network to help wildlife thrive.
• Monitoring environmental changes to identify and help reduce the effects of climate change.
• Working with farmers and landowners to develop greener food production methods.
• Advising on plans for new developments to maximise gains for nature, and

Providing ways for people to better connect with nature, including green social prescribing

We are the Government’s Adviser for the natural environment, playing a vital role in delivering the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, an ambitious vision which brings new opportunities to protect and enhance and to achieve real outcomes for the environment.

Find out more about the work of Natural England at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england 

The Evidence Services Team provides scientific and evidence leadership, services and support to help Natural England operate as an evidence-led organisation. The Team is responsible for delivering Natural England’s part of the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA). 

The NCEA is a transformative programme to understand the extent, condition and change over time of environmental assets across England’s land and water environments, supporting the government’s ambition to improve the environment within a generation. Data will come from Earth Observation, professional field data collection, citizen science and partner data sets. 

Natural England’s Terrestrial NCEA delivery is organised into projects:

1. Mapping and Earth Observation – Spatial data and maps on natural capital to inform national and local decision making and delivery.
2. England Peat Map – Mapping the extent and condition of England’s peatlands.
3. Field data collection – Data on habitats, soils, landscapes and species to understand the condition of natural capital assets.
4. Citizen science – Working with citizens and community science to fill gaps, provide local and landscape scale information and engaging the public.
5. Data mobilisation and integration and reporting – Making NCEA, partner and volunteer data available for analysis, integration and use, producing high quality evidence products by analysing and integrating NCEA data.
6. Programme management – Managing Natural England’s NCEA programme.

This role sits within Project NE3 – Field Data Collection. The England Ecosystem Survey work package will use professional survey as a tool to provide high quality data to assess the state and condition of biodiversity, ecosystems, and natural capital assets within England’s habitats and landscapes addressing data gaps, including soils. 

Job description 1 

Successful candidates will form part of a team of new Trainee Surveyors led by Field Surveyors familiar with all aspects of the NCEA programme and experienced in Field survey and botanical ID. During the main survey season the role will be predominately field-based and involve practical learning elements associated with the ability to carry out a range of habitat surveys across England. Your learning and development is likely to include botanical surveying on a range of habitats (mixture of lowland, upland, freshwater, coastal etc) and will include data collection associated with assessing landscape features. It will also include soil surveys, which will extend into the winter months. When on site you will be mentored by experienced Field Ecologists. Assessments of skills and knowledge will take place throughout the programme using both internal and external resources. Your training will include understanding of a mixture of traditional and Geographical Information System-based recording/collection tools to enable georeferenced data collection and spatial mapping. You will also have the opportunity to learn and understand wider Ecological survey protocols and field work by shadowing a range of Natural England Teams during your 12-month contract.

Key tasks and development goals associated with role.

• Learn how to undertake targeted vegetation and soil surveys and record landscape and habitat features.
• Improve your knowledge and identification of native botanical species.   
• Be able to plan, organise (including risk assessments), monitor, and measure all elements of survey delivery.
• Contribute towards the development and improvement of ecological survey methodology and explore opportunities for improvements, enhancements and/or innovations in the field data collection process.
• Be confident and able to liaise with landowners, public and staff regarding survey, access and site safety.
• Be part of the wider England Ecosystem Survey Team and contribute to survey/project updates and share findings to relevant audiences, e.g., via webinars, articles and team and project meetings as necessary.
• Improve communication skills via regular liaison with other Natural England teams, landowners and managers, and members of the public.
• Build and develop strong internal and external working relationships.

Competencies

Competence   1

Professional competency

Detail  

Technical skills and knowledge

Description  

Have a strong interest in environmental science; ecology / field survey and the willingness to develop skills in this area
Basic ecological knowledge gained through either a relevant qualification, or previous experience
Good IT skills and a willingness to work with new and developing technologies
Good written and verbal communication skills
Experience of GIS and data analysis skills
An understanding or interest of UK habitats gained through previous experience /volunteering or study
Ability to drive – a full UK driving licence is required

Competence 2  

Professional competency

Detail  

Work Delivery

Description  

Manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines (Practitioner)
Handle data responsibly, understand your role in good governance, and comply with delegations, policies and procedures (Basic)

Competence 3  

Professional competency

Detail  

Personal effectiveness

Description  

Use clear and appropriate language, communication styles and techniques that engage your audience (Basic)
Make and explain objective decisions which combine your professional judgement and evidence (Practitioner)

Competence 4  

Professional competency

Detail  

Putting people at the heart of the environment

Description  

Listen to and understand our diverse partners and customers so that you achieve the best outcomes for them and Natural England (Practitioner)
Nurture trusting partnerships and collaborate to achieve pragmatic outcomes that help deliver Natural England’s vision, mission and aims (Basic)

 

Please refer to Job Description

Alongside your salary of £25,064, Natural England contributes
£6,792 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

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Job contact :

• Name : Stephen Marsh
• Email : Stephen.marsh@naturalengland.org.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : defra-recruitment-enquiries@gov.sscl.com