Location
Hybrid working - home and Bristol office based, with regular travel throughout the Bristol Avon catchment.

Hours
Full-time role (37.5 hours per week) with a flexible working approach. Some evening, weekend and public holiday work may occasionally be required to support community activities, events and project delivery.

Salary
£26,709 per annum with 9% employer pension contribution.

About the Role
Help us restore rivers, restore nature and make a difference. Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) is an ambitious environmental charity working across the Bristol Avon catchment to restore rivers and create healthier landscapes for people and wildlife. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Project Assistant to join our growing team. This varied role offers the opportunity to work across a wide range of projects including river restoration, natural flood management, water quality, fisheries, land management, community engagement, education and citizen science.

No two weeks are likely to be the same. You could be carrying out a river survey in the morning, helping deliver habitat restoration in the afternoon and leading a volunteer river clean at the weekend. Working alongside experienced project staff, you will support practical river and habitat restoration projects, community activities and events, and contribute to project research and reporting.

The role involves a mixture of field-based, project and community work including:
- Carrying out catchment and river surveys (ecological, water quality, fisheries, Natural Flood Management) with support from senior staff
- Supporting delivery of practical river and habitat restoration projects
- Working with landowners, farmers, volunteers, schools, community groups and partners
- Organising and delivering community activities, events, workshops and river cleans
- Supporting citizen science and education activities
- Helping deliver land management and nature recovery projects
- Developing maps, survey materials and other project resources using GIS and mapping tools
- Supporting desktop research and contributing to project reports
- Recruiting, supporting and mentoring volunteers
- Helping identify funding opportunities and preparing applications for smaller projects
- Representing BART positively with partners, communities and the public
- Providing project and administrative support to senior team members

The role requires regular travel throughout the Bristol Avon catchment and involves outdoor work in all weather conditions, including occasional full-day walkover surveys and practical river restoration activities. Physical fitness to undertake fieldwork safely is essential.

We are committed to working in an environmentally responsible way and expect all staff to consider sustainability, resource efficiency and value for money in their work.

Experience
- A degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant discipline such as river restoration, freshwater ecology, hydrology or the wider water sector.
- Experience of GIS or other mapping tools.
- Experience of environmental surveying (habitat, water quality or land management) is desirable.
- Experience organising or managing volunteers or community groups is advantageous.
- Experience working for a charity or within the public or voluntary sector is a plus.

About you
- A genuine passion for nature conservation and an understanding of the environmental pressures facing rivers.
- Confidence to work with a wide range of people including landowners, volunteers, schools, community groups and partner organisations.
- Ability to organise and lead elements of projects, surveys or group activities.
- Interest in environmental fieldwork and ability to undertake walkover surveys safely and effectively.
- Good written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate with different audiences.
- Good organisational and time-management skills.
- Ability to work independently, use initiative and solve problems.
- Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Understanding of health and safety importance and adherence to agreed procedures.
- Ability to manage small budgets and demonstrate good value for money.
- Willingness to undertake relevant training and develop new skills.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle with appropriate business insurance.

It would be great if you also have knowledge of the Bristol Avon catchment.

We are particularly interested in candidates who demonstrate initiative, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. If you do not meet every desirable criterion but believe you have the skills, attitude and passion to make a difference, we encourage you to apply.

Qualifications
A degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant discipline such as river restoration, freshwater ecology, hydrology or the wider water sector is required.