Location
Keswick Convention Centre, Skiddaw Street, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4BY

Hours
35 hours per week (1 FTE) with flexible working hours

Salary
Grade 4A-4D between £33,161-£37,897 per annum depending on experience plus 9% pension

About the Role
West Cumbria Rivers Trust is an environmental charity dedicated to improving watercourses and surrounding catchments in West Cumbria for people and wildlife. Covering several principal river catchments across the Lake District National Park, West Cumbria and the Solway, we have a strong track record of successful project delivery.

We are seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Project Officer (Commons) to join our passionate and growing team delivering the ‘Resilient Glenderamackin’ Landscape Recovery (RGLR) project. This ambitious, large-scale catchment restoration project is located upstream of Keswick and combines public and private investment through a blended finance approach. The project aims to restore habitats, support nature-friendly farming, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, restore rivers and watercourses, and improve biodiversity across the wider catchment for long-term environmental and community benefit.

Following successful submission of deliverables for the Round 2 Landscape Recovery project development phase, we are preparing to expand the Resilient Glenderamackin team to implement this ambitious 20-year project (subject to successful negotiations). The Project Officer will play a key role in developing and delivering habitat restoration proposals on three commons as part of this multi-million-pound programme.

Working closely with the Resilient Glenderamackin project team, you will act as the main point of contact for commoners and landowners involved in the project. Your ecological knowledge will support the commons to transition into an RGLR agreement or alternative agreements to improve the condition of unique upland habitats, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), while supporting sustainable farm businesses within a World Heritage Site.

This wide-ranging role involves liaising with stakeholders, running consultations, and collaborating closely with commoners, landowners, and regulatory authorities to develop and agree habitat management proposals for restoring important upland habitats. You will lead the creation and implementation of three ambitious Commons Land Management Plans in the northern Lake District, forming part of the wider Resilient Glenderamackin Land Management Plan.

The role is expected to continue beyond 12 months, subject to successful negotiations with Defra. You will be part of a friendly and supportive team, reporting to the Resilient Glenderamackin Project Manager and supported by the Trust’s Senior Management Team, Trustees, and wider project partners including the Environment Agency, Farmer Network, and The Rivers Trust.

The Trust offers a generous pension scheme, life assurance, flexible working opportunities, a holiday buy-back scheme, and a welcoming team environment.

Experience
At least 2 years’ experience in an ecological or environmental field relevant to habitat restoration and land management.

About you
- Motivated and knowledgeable with strong ecological expertise.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with graziers, non-graziers, landowners, and regulatory authorities.
- An excellent listener, empathetic, and able to negotiate practical solutions when consensus is not immediate.
- A self-starter with a committed, mature, and flexible approach.
- Enthusiastic about developing work on the commons and working collaboratively within a team.
- Strong organisational, IT, and report writing skills.

Qualifications
A degree or equivalent experience in an ecological or environmental discipline is required.