Shropshire Wildlife Trust
Conservation Officer - Clerical
Assistant
Accountable to:
Conservation Officer – Planning & Data
Responsible for:
No supervisory responsibility
Objective of the job
The objective of the job is to assist the Trust’s Conservation Officer with routine planning
matters and respond to requests for data searches.
Key results expected
You will respond on behalf of the Wildlife Trust to routine planning applications, assessing
the impact on Local Wildlife Sites or any significant impact on biodiversity across the County.
You will also assist in the provision of ecological information, enabling others to make
informed decisions about the protection of species and habitats in the planning process.
Key tasks
Planning issues

Responding to enquires relating to planning development and liaising with local Trust
Branches, ‘Friends Groups’, CPRE and members of the public.

Commenting on planning applications and formulating appropriate responses on
behalf of the Trust.
Data Management

Collating and updating GIS data on local wildlife sites and making this available to
local authorities, statutory agencies or other organisations.

Servicing requests for data from consultants for biological information, and ensuing
they are invoiced for the work entailed

Providing general data and mapping support to the Trust, including supporting the
Local Wildlife Sites project with data and mapping requirements as time
allows.
Administration

Managing the Trust’s GIS and Recorder databases, ensuring that the licences are up
to date.
Living landscapes & working relationships
Shropshire Wildlife Trust works with sister Wildlife Trusts throughout the West Midlands and
the UK. We aim to share best practice and work co-operatively where appropriate. The post
holder is expected to engage in regional initiatives where appropriate, particularly relating to
strategic planning issues or biological recording in our living landscapes work.
Person Specification:
Desirable Skills



A friendly attitude with a good telephone manner and the ability to get on with a wide
range of people
Well organised and able to work with the minimum of supervision
Attention to detail
Essential Skills



Some knowledge of planning systems and wildlife legislation
IT skills (Excel, Recorder 6 and Arc View)
Knowledge of Microsoft Access database
Job description created/reviewed
19th November 2014 By
RM/JMc
Signed ………………………………………………………………………………………….
Terms of employment
Salary:
Hours:
Probationary
period:
Contract
Holidays:
Pension:
Notice Period:
Place of Work:
Home working
Travel:
Training:
Closing date:
Interview dates:
Clerical Grade 5 £14,783 per annum pro rata + 7% pension
contribution (see below). Each post will be reviewed annually,
following this review the manager or the member of staff may initiate a
salary bid in recognition of high performance. Cost of living awards
are normally awarded annually with effect from 1 April subject to the
employer’s ability to pay.
This is a 3 day (21 hour) per week post. Paid overtime is not available,
but time off in lieu of hours worked will be given, if needed.
All Shropshire Wildlife Trust appointments are subject to the
satisfactory completion of a probationary service of six months.
This is initially a one year contract. It may be extended beyond this
period, subject to funding being available
A full-time member of staff has 20 working days per annum in addition
to normal public holidays. An additional day is added for each year’s
service up to a maximum total of 25 days holiday. Your holiday will be
pro-rata on this basis
After six months the employee will be eligible to join the Trust’s group
personal pension scheme and if they pay a minimum of 3% of salary
the Trust will contribute 7% of salary to this scheme.
During your probationary period, the period of notice for termination of
your employment will be one week on either side. After successful
completion of your probationary period the minimum period of notice is
four weeks on either side.
The post will be based at the Trust’s headquarters in Shrewsbury
It is not appropriate for this post to work from home
Pool vehicles are available. In exceptional circumstances the use of
your own vehicle may be necessary. You are required to have
insurance to cover business use and a mileage allowance of 45p per
mile will be payable for such journeys. If you use a pedal cycle you
may claim a mileage allowance of 20p per mile.
The Trust is fully committed to personal development and training
through its annual review and progress meetings.
31st March 2015
13th April 2015