New job with RSPB for Ouse Washes LP scheme – now open

Following from previous staffing posts created for the WWT, Green Light Trust and for the Rosmini Centre, a fourth position with the OWLP key partners is now made available through the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership scheme – with the RSPB, who is looking for a Community Engagement Officer.

This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with local farmers and conservation organisations, to help promote and enhance wildlife friendly farming in the Cambridgeshire Fens.

This position will be crucial to the delivery of the RSPB project within the OWLP scheme called ‘Wildlife Friendly Farming & Community Engagement’; the main aim, of this project is to bring wildlife-friendly farmers together in the vicinity of the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership area, to deliver an integrated community engagement programme designed to promote awareness of, learning about and on-going access to the area’s unique farm wildlife and archaeological heritage.

 

The post, which went live on Monday, is described as such:

We are looking for an enthusiastic and engaging person to grow our farm wildlife conservation efforts in the Cambridgeshire Fens, by increasing awareness, understanding and support for nature-friendly farming in the local community.

The RSPB has been successful in securing Heritage Lottery funding as part of the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership, to help local people reconnect with a rich natural and cultural farmland heritage.

You will work closely with local nature-friendly farmers to design and deliver a programme of events, talks and wildlife ID training for local residents, schools and farmers.

By encouraging people of all ages to engage with their landscape through farm walks and activities, you will build support for nature-friendly farming and local producers, and enable farmers to tell the story of their work and the benefits for wildlife, ensuring continued support in the future,

An excellent communicator, you will have demonstrable experience of organising public events, as well as in-depth knowledge of farm wildlife and the challenges it faces.

With an office base at Welches Dam, Manea, you will be expected to undertake regular travel in the local area and elsewhere within the Fens.

 

The closing date for applications is 20 October 2014.

For the full job details and finding out how to apply, go to http://www.rspb.org.uk/vacancies/details/383486-community-engagement-officer

Families on a bug hunt on a wildlife-friendly farm. Image: copyright Niki Williamson / RSPB.

 

Looking after the Ouse Washes’ Water Quality – is this the job for you?

A new job has just been advertised by Cambridgeshire ACRE. The organisation is currently looking for a Water Catchment Officer.

 Water Care Partnership for the Old Bedford including Middle Level Catchment

Cambridgeshire ACRE has recently been appointed as the host organisation for the Old Bedford including Middle Level Catchment which contains the Ouse Washes. This means that a locally-led partnership will consider how the quality of the local water environment can be improved.

We know the Ouse Washes sits in a catchment that is unique; few of the water courses are natural; the majority are artificially dug drains and water movement is controlled by pumping and drainage operations. The land and waters within the catchment have immense environmental value, being internationally recognised for the flora and fauna they are home to.

However, some water bodies in the catchment are failing to meet the required standard. There are potentially many reasons for these failures with inputs to the catchment coming from many sources including sewage treatment works, agriculture, industry, roads and development. There are other pressures placed on the catchment from water abstraction, climate change, peat erosion and invasive species.

Are you looking for a new job challenge this Spring? 

Do you fancy the challenge of working to develop the work of this Catchment Partnership and trying to improve water quality through a partnership approach?

Details of the new job and how to apply can be found on the Cambridgeshire ACRE website at http://bit.ly/1fE9Z6e

This job would involve pulling together social, economic and environmental data gathered from the Environment Agency, Natural England, Local Government and other key partners in order to develop a catchment plan; promoting and coordinating the delivery of priority actions taken by Catchment Partners and other parties in order to improve water quality.

Old Bedford and Middle Level Catchment Area. Source: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Utility/Old_Bedford_incl_Middle_Level_Catchment.pdf

Part of the work will also involve raising the awareness of the importance of water resources and encouraging local community involvement, volunteering activities and sustainable recreation.

Some of the issues affecting the water quality in the Old Bedford and Middle Level Catchment area. Source: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Utility/Old_Bedford_incl_Middle_Level_Catchment.pdf

The partnership will have a close link to the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership and the staff will work closely together to maximise funding and join-up the work.

Please let others know if you think this job opportunity might be for them.