Making a Buzz for the Coast - Web viewMaking a Buzz for the Coast will safeguard rare bumblebee populations in Kent by creating and restoring habitat along the coast and linking isolated

Application Pack Making a Buzz for the Coast

Conservation Officer

Advertised July 2017

Contents

Job Advert About Bumblebee Conservation Trust Making a Buzz for the Coast Project Information Job description Person specification Summary of terms and conditions of employment Recruitment and selection process How to Apply Application Form Equal Opportunities Form

Job Advert

A unique opportunity to join a successful and growing conservation charity!

Making a Buzz for the Coast, Conservation Officer (2 posts)

Salary £23,000 per annum (pro rata)28 hours a week, 3 year fixed term

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT) is looking for two part-time Conservation Officers to deliver conservation activities in north and north-east Kent as part of our new Making a Buzz for the Coast project. One post will cover each geographic area therefore please indicate in your application if you have a location preference.

Making a Buzz for the Coast will safeguard rare bumblebee populations in Kent by creating and restoring habitat along the coast and linking isolated populations together in the long term through the creation of flower-rich ‘stepping stones’. You will play a key role by providing land management advice and practical support to partners, farmers and a range of other landowners. As such, you will have a degree in an environmental, ecological or agricultural subject (or equivalent knowledge acquired by other means) and direct relevant experience of habitat conservation and management.

You will be self-motivated and enthusiastic, with good bumblebee identification skills, knowledge of pollinator ecology, and good field and botanical skills. You will have strong communication skills and be able to engage a wide range of people including farmers, landowners, partner organisations and volunteers.

Both positions will be based from a new office which is currently being sourced in North Kent.

Please refer to the job description and person specification for more details of the role.

For an application pack please visit our website: bumblebeeconservation.org/vacancies/

Bumblebee Conservation TrustBeta CentreStirling University Innovation ParkStirling FK9 4NF Tel: 01786 [email protected]

Charity numbers: 1115634; SC042830

To discuss the post informally, please contact:

Sam Page, Conservation ManagerTel. 07780 [email protected]

Closing Date: 5pm, Wednesday 23 August 2017

Interview dates:

21 and 22 September, Ashford, Kent

BBCT Application Pack Page 2 of 16

mailto:[email protected]


http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/vacancies/

About Bumblebee Conservation Trust

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust is a UK-based national charity (England & Wales 1115634, Scotland SC042830) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (No. 05618710). The Trust was established in May 2006 in response to ongoing declines in many bumblebee species, due primarily to habitat loss through agricultural intensification. In the last 70 years two species have become nationally extinct whilst populations of several others have crashed dramatically. Over one third of social bumblebee species are now regarded as species of principal importance under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. Bumblebees are ‘keystone’ pollinators, integral to our natural environment, and providing significant economic benefits through pollination of crops. We aim to help bumblebees and the habitats that they depend on through conservation and education. For more information about our work, visit our website http://bumblebeeconservation.org

Making a Buzz for the Coast Project Information

Making a Buzz for the Coast is an exciting and ambitious new project that will span 135 miles of Kent’s coastline from Dartford to Deal, and focus on restoring and creating habitat for Kent’s wild bees, especially the Shrill carder bee. Thanks to the generous support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, which has committed to funding 70% of the £1.3million project budget, and the support of a variety of other Charitable Trusts and supporters who are providing the match funding, this three-year project is now ready to start.

The project is divided into three themes:

1) Providing habitat - Provide habitat for Kent’s wild bees, with particular focus on priority species including the Shrill carder bee – the UK’s rarest and most threatened bumblebee species.

2) Understanding populations - Monitor bumblebee populations in order to guide our conservation work.

3) Engaging communities - Raise awareness about bumblebees and other pollinators, the benefits they provide and what can be done to help them, inspiring individual action.

Each of the three themes is then divided into seven interlinking strands:

Theme 1 – Providing habitatStrand 1 - Habitat Works and Practical Conservation, will work with partners and volunteers on five sites to increase pollinator habitat on nature reserves, commercial and local authority land. Habitat works will include grassland restoration; sowing wildflowers to increase forage; adjustment of cutting and grazing regimes; rotational scrub management; and creation of solitary bee nest sites. We will install interpretation boards to raise awareness and knowledge of local bee species.

Strand 2 - Bee-Roads, will restore roadside verges in the borough of Swale into flower-rich habitats for priority bee species (and provide habitat connectivity as described above) through sensitive management. This strand will be led by Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) in partnership with KCC Highways and Swale Borough Council, who have pledged long term commitment to maintaining the sites.


http://bumblebeeconservation.org/

Strand 3 - Landowner Engagement and Advice, will target farmers and fruit producers, the Environment Agency (EA), and new audiences like holiday parks, golf courses and parish councils to help them restore and create bee-friendly habitat along the coast, working closely with Natural England. Farm days, workshops and specialist advice including management plans will be followed by ongoing support (regular site visits, monitoring). The Short-haired bumblebee project has shown us that this model of concentrated work at a landscape-scale is highly effective.

Theme 2 – Understanding populations

Strand 4 - Bee With Us, is the central hub of the project: the recruitment, training and supporting of volunteers, who will play a vital role in all seven work strands. Each project year, the project will host three trainee placements (following KWT’s highly successful model) for those pursuing a career in conservation: Conservation Trainee, Bumblebee Monitoring Trainee and Bee-Roads Trainee. Two Local Volunteer Coordinators will also be recruited, trained and supported in coordinating other volunteers’ activities. All volunteers will receive thorough induction and training. Opportunities for volunteers will be offered in every strand of work, so there will be something to appeal to everyone at every level of skill and knowledge.

Strand 5 - Skills for Bees, will recruit and train local volunteers to undertake regular bee surveys as part of BBCT's national recording scheme, BeeWalk, monitoring population densities of rare and common bumblebees along the coast. This strand will create experts in rare species, which BeeWalk does not currently do, through a staged training programme (beginners to advanced), a mentoring scheme and ongoing support to help volunteers and ensure all data are verified.

Theme 3 – Engaging communities

Strand 6 - Buzzing Communities, will enable local community groups, schools and businesses to learn about and take action for bees, raising awareness about their importance through guided walks, talks, competitions (schools, photography, art and poetry), exhibits, many other volunteer-led events and a quarterly e-newsletter. We will create a range of leaflets, display materials and activity sheets to inspire and inform people about Kent’s bees.

Strand 7 - Buzzing Gardens, will highlight the importance of gardens for bees and other pollinators and help schools, community groups, local businesses, councils and individuals to garden for bees. It will include events (e.g. bee-friendly gardening ‘clinics’ at community events; talks; open gardens); workshops (covering seed propagation, wildflower meadow creation, and including outreach workshops for garden centre employees); leaflets (‘bee friendly on a budget’; advanced gardening-for-bees information) and volunteer advisers providing bespoke garden advice. An annual Garden with Best Buzz competition will be held as part of KWT’s Wild About Gardens scheme, culminating in an exciting new ‘Neighbourhood with the Best Buzz’ competition in year 3. We will provide an online forum for people to share bee-friendly gardening tips and questions.

Our aim is to secure a future for the Kent coast’s wild bees in which they not just survive but thrive.

Making a Buzz for the Coast will do this by mobilising the people of Kent to take action to protect their wild bees; building a greater understanding of bee populations and

creating habitats for some of our rarest bumblebees.


Job DescriptionJob Title: Making a Buzz for the Coast Conservation Officer

Reporting to: Making a Buzz Project Manager Responsible for:

One Conservation Volunteer Trainee per year of the project. Conservation volunteers.

Hours: Part-time (28 hours per week), based in the project office in North Kent (exact location to be confirmed). Fixed-term 3 year contract.

Job purpose: The delivery of the Making a Buzz for the Coast habitat creation/restoration and landowner

advice targets.

Main responsibilities:

Habitat provision and landowner advice Provide advice and support to partner organisations to ensure the successful and timely

delivery of Action Plans on Strand 1 sites. Deliver BBCT elements of Action Plans on Strand 1 sites, including practical management

tasks such as wildflower planting, seed harvesting, scrub clearance. Carry out regular monitoring of habitat and bumblebee species on Strand 1 sites. Develop content for interpretation boards for Strand 1 sites (in liaison with partners). Provide land management advice and support to landowners, including farm visits, surveys,

advisory reports and ongoing support – working closely with Natural England. Deliver landowner engagement events (e.g. farm days, training workshops, stalls and talks)

targeted at different landowner groups. Lead on the development of case studies showcasing the successes of the project. Lead on the development of two new titles in BBCT’s ‘Managing your land for bumblebees’

factsheet series. Keep up to date records of habitat and landowner work, including the use of Geographic

Information Systems (GIS).

Trainee/ volunteer management Assist with the recruitment and induction of the Conservation Trainee position each year. Manage the day-to-day work and training programme of the Conservation Trainee each year. Deliver training to conservation volunteers e.g. habitat monitoring. Assist in the delivery of bumblebee identification workshops and field sessions, including

personally delivering the beginner level training courses. Co-ordinate and lead volunteer work parties on Strand 1 sites, including health and safety

briefings. Assist in the establishment of volunteer Friends groups for Strand 1 sites, in liaison with

partners.

General Take an active role in BBCT’s Conservation and Science Team, attending team meetings and

contributing to wider BBCT conservation work as required. Carry out your duties with regard to relevant legislation and BBCT’s policies and procedures

including health and safety and fundraising regulations.


Person SpecificationESSENTIAL

Qualifications & Experience Direct relevant experience of habitat conservation and management. An environmental, ecological or agricultural degree, or equivalent knowledge acquired by

other means. Experience of working with farmers and other land managers, and a good understanding of

agricultural issues including agri-environment schemes. Knowledge of pollinator ecology and basic bumblebee identification skills. Good field and botanical skills including the ability to identify key bumblebee forage plants.

Communication Skills Proven experience of engaging people including delivering talks, training courses and other

events. Ability to build effective relationships with farmers, landowners and other NGOs. Excellent communication skills, with good negotiation skills.

Initiative and planning Ability to self-motivate and willingness to work remotely.

IT Skills Computer literate including confident use of MS Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Knowledge and experience of using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) such as ArcGIS

or QGIS.

Other Full driving licence and access to own vehicle for work use with a willingness to travel to

meetings and sites within the designated working area as well as occasional long-distance trips within the UK.

Willingness to work some weekends and evenings, with overnight stays away from home on occasion.

DESIRABLE

Experience of working with, and/or management of, volunteers. Experience of leading volunteer work parties. Good bumblebee identification skills and experience of bumblebee surveying. Good working knowledge of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, particular Mid Tier. Experience of grassland conservation and management. Direct, relevant experience of habitat restoration and creation. Experience of working effectively in partnership with other organisations. An understanding of the English National Pollinator Strategy. Good budgeting skills and experience. Project management experience.


Summary of terms and conditions of employmentTerms and conditions: This is a part-time, three year fixed term post. Salary: £23,000 per annum (pro rata)Pension: This fixed term post is eligible for the BBCT pension scheme (7% Employer contribution).Location: Based in the project office in North Kent (exact location to be confirmed). Hours of work: The post holder will be employed part-time for 28 hours per week. Some overtime work may be required and a flexitime system is in place. Annual leave: Annual entitlement of 35 days (on a pro rata basis for part-time staff) inclusive of Bank/Public Holidays. Policies and procedures: We have policies designed to ensure the safety and well-being of both workers and volunteers e.g. health and safety, lone working.

Recruitment and Selection ProcessThe Bumblebee Conservation Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer. This means that when carrying out our work and in the employment of staff to undertake this work, we will seek to ensure equality of treatment for all persons regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, marital status, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or economic status.

Pre-employment checks:We will require a minimum of two appropriate references and will check original documents proving your qualifications, identity, and right to live and work in the UK before you can start work with us. You will be asked to provide details of any unspent criminal convictions.

References:Referees should be your present and last employer. They should have had either managerial or supervisory responsibility for your work, and not be colleagues, subordinates or friends. Where appropriate (i.e. when this is your first employment), a tutor’s reference and a personal reference or similar will be acceptable. Referees will be provided with a copy of the job description and person specification for the vacancy. BBCT will only approach your referees once an offer of employment has been made.

How we use your personal information:The information which we gather from you during the recruitment and selection process is retained and processed in accordance with the provisions set out by the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA).Please note that by submitting an application for employment, you are also agreeing to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust processing such information as may be necessary to assess your application, provided that proper regard is had to the data protection principles in force. If your application is successful, the information you provide will be retained and will form part of your personnel file. If you are not offered work with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, all documentation related to your application will normally be confidentially destroyed after a period of six months.

How to ApplyIf you are interested in joining us, please complete the application form below and return by email to [email protected] no later than 5pm, Wednesday 23 August. In order to ensure that all applicants are assessed equally and fairly, applications will only be accepted on the form provided. Please do not send CVs.

Interviews are expected to take place on Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd September in Ashford, Kent.



Application Form

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

APPLICANT INFORMATIONTITLE: SURNAME: FORENAME(S):

ADDRESS (including postcode):

DAYTIME TELEPHONE NUMBER: EVENING TELEPHONE NUMBER:

EMAIL ADDRESS:

CAN YOU PROVIDE PROOF OF YOUR RIGHT TO LIVE AND WORK IN THE UK? Yes No (please tick/double click to select)

DO YOU HOLD A FULL CLEAN DRIVING LICENCE? Yes No (please tick/double click to select) DO YOU HAVE ACCESS TO A CAR TO USE AT WORK? Yes No (please tick/double click to select) IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY WILL YOU REQUIRE ANY REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS MADE TO ENABLE YOU TO ATTEND AN INTERVIEW?Yes N/A (please tick/double click to select)

If yes please provide details:

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIMINAL OFFENCE (DECLARATION SUBJECT TO THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT 1974)? Yes No (please tick/double click to select)

If yes please provide details:


INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION: Complete using black ink (block capitals)

or typescript (normal case) Answer all questions Do not attach a C.V.

PLEASE RETURN COMPLETED FORM TO: Recruitment, Bumblebee Conservation TrustBeta Centre, Stirling University Innovation Park, FK9 [email protected]

APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF:

Making a Buzz for the Coast Conservation Officer

CLOSING DATE:5pm, Wednesday 23 August 2017

Preferred location (please tick):-North Kent Northeast Kent


EMPLOYMENT HISTORYPRESENT OR MOST RECENT EMPLOYMENTDATE FROM: DATE TO:

JOB TITLE: COMPANY NAME:

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

SALARY: FULL TIME PART TIME (please tick/double click to select)

REASON FOR LEAVING:

IF STILL EMPLOYED PLEASE STATE NOTICE PERIOD REQUIRED:

PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT Please continue on a separate sheet if necessary DATE FROM: DATE TO:




REASON FOR LEAVING:

DATE FROM: DATE TO:




REASON FOR LEAVING:


DATE FROM: DATE TO:




REASON FOR LEAVING:

DATE FROM: DATE TO:




REASON FOR LEAVING:

DATE FROM: DATE TO:




REASON FOR LEAVING:

EDUCATION DATE FROM: DATE TO:SCHOOL/COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY:QUALIFICATIONS Please state level and grade obtained


DATE FROM: DATE TO:SCHOOL/COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY:QUALIFICATIONS Please state level and grade obtained

DATE FROM: DATE TO:SCHOOL/COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY:QUALIFICATIONS Please state level and grade obtained

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENTDATE FROM: DATE TO:

TRAINING INSTITUTE/AWARDING BODY:

QUALIFICATIONS Please state level and grade obtained

DATE FROM: DATE TO:



DATE FROM: DATE TO:



MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES (if applicable)NAME OF INSTITUTE/PROFESSIONAL BODY:

MEMBERSHIP TYPE:

NAME OF INSTITUTE/PROFESSIONAL BODY:

MEMBERSHIP TYPE:

NAME OF INSTITUTE/PROFESSIONAL BODY:

MEMBERSHIP TYPE:


PERSONAL STATEMENT

Detail how your knowledge, skills and experience will enable you to fulfil the requirements of the post. Please refer to the job description and person specification when completing this section. You can also include details of any voluntary activities or interests, as well as any other relevant information you would like us to consider in support of your application. PLEASE DO NOT EXCEED 2 SIDES OF A4 IN LENGTH.



REFERENCESPlease give details of TWO people who can confirm your suitability for this role. This should include your present/most recent employer and they must not be related to you in any personal capacity (e.g. friends or family members). We will only approach referees if you are offered the post.TITLE: SURNAME: FORENAME(S):

JOB TITLE:ADDRESS (including postcode):


EMAIL ADDRESS:

CAPACITY IN WHICH KNOWN TO YOU: TITLE: SURNAME: FORENAME(S):

JOB TITLE:ADDRESS (including postcode):


EMAIL ADDRESS:

CAPACITY IN WHICH KNOWN TO YOU:

DECLARATION I confirm that, to the best of my knowledge, the information on this form is correct. I accept that if any of the enclosed information is found to be untrue after my appointment, I

may be liable for dismissal without notice. I authorise you to contact the references listed on this form and make any other checks

deemed appropriate once an offer of employment is made. I am aware that the information given will be processed and stored by the Bumblebee

Conservation Trust in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and I have the right to view any personal data held about me (upon written request and payment of an administration fee).

NAME (PLEASE PRINT):

SIGNATURE:

DATE:

Please also complete and return the separate Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form below.


Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust operates an Equal Opportunities Policy and no person will be discriminated against whilst seeking employment or during such employment with the Trust on the grounds of any protected characteristics such as age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, political allegiance, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, responsibility for dependants, or unrelated spent criminal convictions.

The following information will be kept strictly confidential and stored separately from the application form before short-listing takes place. It will not form any part of the recruitment process or decision to appoint and will be used to provide data for monitoring purposes only.

You may choose to leave any or all questions unanswered.

POST APPLIED FOR:

DATE FORM COMPLETED: AGE:

GENDER (Please circle/cross out as appropriate):

MALE FEMALE TRANSGENDER OTHER

(Please specify)________________

IS THIS THE SAME GENDER YOU WERE ASSIGNED AT BIRTH?

Yes No

(please tick/double click to select)

MARITAL STATUS (Please circle/cross out as appropriate):

MARRIED CIVIL PARTNERSHIP SINGLE DIVORCED LIVING WITH PARTNER OTHER (Please specify)______________________________

DO YOU HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEPENDANTS (e.g. children, elderly, or any other person for whom you are the main carer)?

CHILDREN ELDERLY OTHER NOT APPLICABLE

DISABILITYDo you consider yourself to have a physical and/or mental impairment as defined by the Equality Act 2010/ Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (NI)?

Yes No (please tick/double click to select)

Please give details if you wish:

ETHNIC ORIGIN How would you describe your identity?

WHITE: BRITISH ENGLISH IRISH SCOTTISH WELSH

OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY): _____________________________


MIXED: WHITE AND BLACK CARIBBEAN WHITE AND BLACK AFRICAN WHITE AND ASIAN


ASIAN, ASIAN BRITISH, ASIAN ENGLISH, ASIAN SCOTTISH ASIAN IRISH OR ASIAN WELSH (Delete as applicable):

INDIAN PAKISTANI BANGLADESHI


BLACK, BLACK BRITISH, BLACK ENGLISH, BLACK SCOTTISH, BLACK IRISH, BLACK WELSH (Delete as applicable):

CARIBBEAN AFRICAN


CHINESE, CHINESE BRITISH, CHINESE ENGLISH, CHINESE SCOTTISH, CHINESE IRISH, CHINESE WELSH (Delete as applicable):

CHINESEOTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY): _____________________________

OTHER ETHNIC ORIGIN:(PLEASE SPECIFY): ____________________________________

RELIGION/CULTURAL BACKGROUND NONE

CHRISTIAN BUDDHIST HINDU JEWISH MUSLIM SIKH


WHERE DID YOU SEE THIS POST ADVERTISED?Please include URL if possible

Thank you for taking the time to complete this form.


Documents

Making a Buzz for the Coast - Web viewMaking a Buzz for the Coast will safeguard rare bumblebee populations in Kent by creating and restoring habitat along the coast and linking isolated