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Employer: River Blackwater Catchment Trust
Location: Blackwater Catchment area (Tyrone/Armagh/Monaghan, Home-based)
Job Type: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Duration: Four-year fixed term contract with possibility of extension
Salary: £32,328 (plus pension contribution)
Closing Date: 5pm 22nd August 2024 

Reports to:	Board of Trustees
Responsible for:	Coordinating the activities of the Trust and developing the sustainability of the charity
Location:	Blackwater Catchment area (Tyrone/Armagh/Monaghan, Home-based)
Salary:	£32,328 (plus pension contribution)
Contract:	Full-time (37 hours per week), four-year fixed term contract with possibility of extension (6-month probationary period applies). 25 days holidays

The River Blackwater Catchment Rivers Trust (RBCT) is a registered environmental charity (charity number NIC 109313) and Company Limited by Guarantee (Company number NI 618685).  The Trust was founded in 2013 with the aim of working with local communities to conserve, protect, rehabilitate and improve the rivers and natural waterbodies of the Blackwater Catchment, for the advancement of environmental protection or improvement for the benefit of the public.

The Trust has pioneered a community focussed approach to water management within Armagh / Tyrone / Monaghan, building a strong reputation and portfolio in delivering vital projects which aim to conserve, protect, rehabilitate and improve the rivers and natural waterbodies of the Blackwater Catchment.

On 8^th July 2023, The DAERA Environmental Fund 2023-2028 was awarded to the RBCT. The Environmental Fund Project will provide funding to River Blackwater Catchment Trust to employ a project officer for a period of four years.

This project will aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of professionalising the rivers trust movement in Ireland in terms of delivering on the core objectives of the RBCT.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, ambitious and self-motivated individual to become an employee of the RBCT, working with our southern project officer and administration officer, to help drive our aims forward in what is an exciting and dynamic environmental movement.

Job Description and Qualifications

As Project Officer you will play a vital role in helping us grow as a Trust and deliver projects which allow us to continue to improve, restore and maintain our rivers and water sources for the benefit of the community and for the protection of the environment.

Education, Training, Experience Etc.

The successful candidates will hold:

• a FETAC/QQI Level 7/8 or equivalent qualification in agriculture, ecology or related discipline with, ideally, with post qualification experience relevant to the requirements of the role.

or

• an equivalent educational qualification with, ideally, post qualification experience relevant to the requirements of the role.

or

• a minimum of 2 years’ experience relevant to the requirements of the role.

Transport & Driving Licence

The candidate must have their own transport, a full driving licence and their vehicle must be insured for business use in addition to their domestic use.

 

The Job

The Project Officer shall operate under the direction of, and report to, the Board of Trustees of the River Blackwater Catchment Trust.

The post is initially for a period of four years, with the possibility of an extension thereafter, subject to funding.

The ideal candidate shall have:

• Good organisational and project management skills.
• Strong communication, social media and interpersonal skills.
• A track record of working with community groups and interested individuals and delivering community projects, including citizen science.
• A good appreciation of environmental matters including pollutants and water quality, biodiversity and climate change.
• Be able to work on their own.
• A knowledge and understanding of agriculture and agricultural impacts on the environment.
• A knowledge and awareness of health & safety legislation and regulations, their implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application.
• Good I.T. skills.
• Experience of developing project proposals and making funding applications.

Main Duties:

The Project Officer’s duties will include but not be limited to the following:

• Direct reporting to River Blackwater Catchment Trust board
• Organising and attending board meetings
• Co-ordinate and prepare a detailed plan for the Blackwater Catchment, outlining the past and present condition of all the mini catchments, and identify possible remedial measures to improve the water quality worth of all the mini catchments and the Blackwater catchment as a whole.
• Unearth all previous historical data on the Blackwater Catchment, and work closely with all stakeholders, and all interested parties to ensure that the Plan is as complete and comprehensive as possible.
• Produce the Plan in a the most up to date digital format, enhanced by the most up to date mapping tools. Oversee RBCT Blackwater maps and databases and maintain up to date records, information systems and other relevant databases.
• Oversee the delivery of in-stream and riparian works.
• Undertake a sampling programme including soil, water and aquatic invertebrates.
• The study and development of a “mini-catchment” results-based payment scheme for farms.
• Develop effective working relationships with farmers, landowners, schools, community groups and angling clubs along the selected river tributaries and provide advice and information to help them improve and maintain water quality in local streams.
• Organise and deliver events and programmes to inform, advise and educate local communities and landowners on looking after their local river/stream.

Other Duties (in collaboration with RBCT project officers/admin officer):

• Engage the community and stakeholders to maximise the long-term benefits of water quality measures.
• Produce farm nutrient education information and deliver an education programme.
• Prepare tender specifications for contract works required, as part of a river/stream/upland improvement plan.
• Manage the procurement process for contract works for fencing, tree planting and necessary riparian works.
• Secure access agreements from all landowners for contract works. Manage contractors and review works to ensure all works are carried out to the required standard.
• Manage volunteers and student placements, including the planning and preparation of team and individual tasks.
• Support works associated with the Sliabh Beagh SAC.
• Undertake funding applications for projects and activities.
• Contribute to the annual budget estimating process by identifying resource needs for the areas of work under their control.
• Prepare and implement Risk Assessments, Safe Systems of Work and Codes of Practice.
• Ensure that the training and development needs of all staff and volunteers are attended to within the trusts policy frameworks.
• Identify opportunities for local companies to support the work of the trust through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) sponsorship.
• Organise volunteer events including citizen science events.
• Organise public engagement events to raise the profile of the trust.
• Issue press releases to raise the profile of the trust.
• Cooperate with the other Rivers Trust Project Officers, sharing best practice.
• Liaise with NIEA officers and Catchment Science leads in the Trust’s catchment area.
• Undertake any other relevant duties that may be required and are commensurate with the nature and grade of the post.

Hours of Work

The hours of work are 37 hours per week including a part of the work schedule that is workable outside of normal office hours.  The salary being paid for the post is in respect of all 37 hours worked. Flexible working hours with time in lieu.

Probation

The following probationary provisions shall apply:

• there shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold the position on probation.
• such period shall be six months, but the board can, at its discretion, extend such period; such persons shall cease to hold the position at the end of such period of probation unless during such period, the board is satisfied with their performance.

Application Process

Please email a CV (two pages max) and a covering letter (two pages max) focusing on your relevant experience and what you will bring to the role and to the River Blackwater Catchment Trust, to riverblackwatercatchmenttrust@gmail.com

Closing date: 5pm 22nd August 2024

Interviews: Late August 2024

The River Blackwater Catchment Trust is an equal opportunity employer.

*Please mention EcoCareers.ie when applying for this position.*