THE BIODIVERSE SOCIETY
A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN LANCASHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST, LERN AND
MERSEYSIDE BIOBANK
A PROJECT FUNDED BY THE HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND
Thanks to contribution, support and ideas from volunteers, individuals, Local
Naturalist Groups, landowners, education establishments and community
groups, our application to the Heritage Lottery Fund clearly demonstrated
how important this project is for our Local Wildlife Sites.
The consultation carried out was vital for shaping the final proposal, which
culminated in a Project Activity Plan, which will ensure that our proposed
activity is targeted to the sites that need surveying the most, sites that are
most accessible, and sites closest to where there is the most interest from
local groups and individuals.
What our project will do
The main focus of The Biodiverse Society (a 3 year project now coming into its second year), is to
enhance and update the data on Local Wildlife Sites throughout Lancashire and North Merseyside
and to make the collection of accurate data sustainable into the future, creating a well supported
new cohort of ambassadors for wildlife sites, equipped with the skills to carry on this essential work
into the future
The project is absolutely crucial to help us carry out the following aims:





Understand better the value of Local Wildlife Sites, their place within ecological networks
and enable active protection and enhancement of our most precious sites of wildlife
importance.
Enable Local Naturalist Groups, volunteers and community groups alike to get actively
involved in recording wildlife on their nearest Local Wildlife Site, encouraging ownership of
these sites and the ability for long term monitoring
Support Local Naturalist Groups to share their expertise and recruit new members, ensuring
that these groups continue to carry out essential monitoring work long in to the future
Encourage new audiences to take an active role in recording their local wildlife
Providing opportunity for trainees to gain necessary skills and experience and help them into
a relevant career within conservation
The aims of the project will be achieved by activities that help us to achieve the following outcomes.
These will be delivered by a team comprising of a Project Manager and two regional Project Officers
(one North Merseyside and one Lancashire),
Outcomes:
 Undertake wildlife surveys and make recommendations to landowners on how Local Wildlife
Sites can be managed and improved
(TARGET: 210 LOCAL WILDLIFE SITES SURVEYED)
 An increase in the number and quality of records submitted to Local Record Centres and
better understanding of the wildlife found on Local Wildlife Sites through regular surveys
(TARGET: AN INCREASE IN RECORDS SUBMITTED EACH YEAR)
 An increase in knowledge about the wildlife that can be found on Local Wildlife Sites from
the interpretation that will be created by this project. (TARGET: NUMBER OF WEBSITE HITS
AND SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATES RECORDED)
 Placement Scheme that gives trainees much needed and sought after practical training and
experience to address skills shortage in surveying and ensures that appropriate graduates are
skilled up and able to gain long term employment within the conservation sector.
(TARGET: 12 12 MONTH PLACEMENTS (4 PER YEAR) EMPLOYED THROUGH THE PROJECT)
 Training programme delivered that targets a wide range of audiences to develop new skills
and support people gain confidence in the use of these new skills
(TARGET: 1375 TRAINING SLOTS PROVIDED)
 An increased awareness within local communities of the wildlife value of Local Wildlife Sites
and an increased respect for these sites, though an events programme that celebrates
wildlife found on Local Wildlife Sites that gives people an enjoyable experience
(TARGET: 30 COMMUNITY GROUPS APPRECIATE WILDLIFE THAT THEY HAVE RECORDED ON
THEIR NEAREST LOCAL WILDLIFE SITE)
 A team of volunteers established and trained to continue supporting surveys on Local
Wildlife Sites
(TARGET: 500 INDIVIDUALS VOLUNTEER ON THE PROJECT)
 Improve resilience to Local Naturalist Groups that are currently under threat of demise.
(TARGET: 30 LOCAL NATURALIST GROUPS BECOME STRONGER AS A RESULT OF PROJECT
SUPPORT)
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
The Biodiverse Society Project Officer (Lancashire)
Responsible to:
The Biodiverse Society Project Manager
Responsible for:
Placements (Lancashire), volunteer placements and volunteers
PURPOSE OF POST
To support the delivery of The Biodiverse Society with a focus on the management of the work of the
Trainee Placements, supporting them to undertake surveys of Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) across
Lancashire, preparing and reviewing land management recommendations, supporting volunteer
recruitment, induction and training, supporting Local Naturalist Group involvement and liaison with
local colleges and universities, in accordance with the projects Activity Plan.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Recruit, induct, manage and train the Trainee Placements, ensuring staff are properly
supported and trained, and hold regular one-to-ones and appraisals to review training and
support requirements through Personal Development Plans.
2. Monitor progress against Activity Plan, report to The Biodiverse Society Project Manager, and
review activities in response to any issues identified.
3. Support placements to contact landowners and gather existing records of wildlife and
habitats found on Local Wildlife Sites.
4. Support placements to undertake surveys until they have the skills and knowledge to carry
out surveys themselves prepare management recommendations and review work of
placements and volunteers before issuing to landowners.
5. Support placements to produce reports on management recommendations and liaise with
landowners.
6. Ensure all placements and volunteers submit records to Local Record Centres, and provide
information on wildlife found to Project Manager (PM) to help with communications.
7. Co-ordinate and deliver training that will enable volunteers to undertake wildlife surveys and
submit quality wildlife records to Local Record Centres.
8. Provide support and training to local colleges and universities to undertake wildlife surveys
and submit quality records to Local Record Centres.
9. Volunteer co-ordination and recruitment, including inductions and training.
10. Support the co-ordination of the Wildlife Counts, basic wildlife survey and social media
training, and promote all of our training through a booklet and on line.
11. Contribute to the database of key contacts, groups and organisations that have an interest in
Local Wildlife Sites.
12. Contribute to the delivery of the Communications Plan and promote all of our achievements,
successes and wildlife recorded through media website, social media, networks, and email
newsletters, encouraging volunteers to have an active input.
13. Support the delivery of mentor training and support to those people who want to become
mentors.
14. Provide support to Local Naturalist Groups and identify ways in which groups can support
LWS surveys, and support to new volunteers. In turn support groups to help recruit and
maintain new members
15. Ensure all activities are evaluated and meet targets / milestones set within the Activity Plan
16. Any other duties commensurate with the post’s responsibilities as defined by the line
manager.
17. To follow Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) guidelines for the health, safety and welfare of
students involved in service delivery.
18. Abide by all of the LWT policies and procedures.
19. To ensure all activities are fully accessible and inclusive where practicable, and comply with
the Wildlife Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
POST SPECIFICATION
The postholder will be expected to be responsible for the selection and management of placements
and volunteers as necessary. They will line manage 2 trainee staff members and will participate in
effective volunteer recruitment, training and retention. You will have excellent wildlife survey and
management skills along with outstanding communication skills and the ability to get on with a wide
range of people. The postholder will have to undertake a range of professional and technical duties.
These include:




Liaising regularly with a range of contacts, these include:
o Members of The Biodiverse Society Steering Group, Wildlife Trust advisors, staff and
volunteers.
o Landowners / land-managers and their agents.
o Officers from other bodies, including statutory bodies, local government, NGOs and
academic institutions.
o Local Naturalist Groups and Community Groups.
o Addressing audiences of 10+, including speaking at conferences, seminars etc.
Flexibility and a ability to work occasional unsocial hours.
Frequent travel around the Lancashire and occasionally beyond. A driving licence and access
to a car with business use insurance cover is required as public transport is often inadequate.
The ability to work effectively; you will be required to adapt quickly to situations and issues,
and ensure projects remain on target.
In order for the organisation to work effectively, you may be required to assist with other areas of
work and therefore, you should be prepared to undertake other duties appropriate to the post, as
delegated by your line manager.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE:
The Biodiverse Society Project Officer (Lancashire)
This section details the experience, skills, knowledge and personal qualities required for the post.
Experience
Essential
Desirable
Previous and appropriate experience of working within a recognised 
conservation agency in a professional capacity. This will include habitat survey
experience with a competence in botanical identification
Experience of UK wildlife and recording particularly in terrestrial flora and 
fauna.
Supporting volunteer action on wildlife survey activity, submitting biological 
records, event co-ordination, social media input, and promotion campaigns
Project co-ordination and managing the work of placements

Prepare, co-ordinate and deliver site condition surveys, and report production 
with recommendations based on survey results.
Experience in undertaking Phase One Habitat Surveys

Supporting and empowering local groups to take action with minimal support,
ensuring sustainability of activity

Landowner liaison and making land management recommendations based on
survey results

Organising and co-ordinating training courses

Development of a peer mentor scheme where more experienced volunteers
have become mentors to others.

Knowledge
The Local Wildlife Site System and its strategic importance

Environmental issues, such as land / habitat management, ecosystem services
and climate change

Legislation and organisations affecting UK wildlife

Monitoring and evaluation techniques

Skills
Persuasive communicator, both verbally and in writing, to a wide range of audi- 
ences
Organise and prioritise work effectively, often to tight deadlines, and monitor 
outcomes. Ability to focus on tasks and take them through from conception to
completion.
Use of appropriate software including MS Word, Excel and ideally ESRI AcrMap

Promote a landscape scale approach and project ideas through meetings, 
presentations and the media
Personal qualities
Ability to maintain high levels of enthusiasm and self motivation

Ability to inspire others and generate support, action and empowerment within 
local group and volunteer activity
Ability to work well on your own initiative and co-operatively as part of a team

Ability to work effectively under pressure

A strong affinity with wildlife/wildlife habitats, the importance of collecting bio- 
logical records, particularly in urban areas
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Salary:
£21,531.00 per annum
Duration of post:
This is a fixed term contract until October 2017
Pension:
The Trust uses the NEST Pension Scheme. Full details will be provided
Probation Period:
All new employees to the Trust undertake a probationary period of 6
months, in which time they are expected to establish their suitability for the
post.
Hours per week:
37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Overtime is not paid but time off in
lieu may be taken, where appropriate, as the post may involve some evening
or weekend working.
Travel:
Travel will be required throughout Lancashire and North Merseyside and
therefore a full clean driving licence and access to your own can with
business insurance is essential.
Annual Leave:
25 days per annum plus 3 occasional days allocated at the discretion of the
Trust per annum.
Place of work:
The Barn, Berkeley Drive, Bamber Bridge, Preston PR5 6BY.
Policy:
All staff are required to abide by organisational policies and procedures.
Other:
The Wildlife Trust operates a no smoking policy at all its offices. The Wildlife
Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is positive about those
individuals covered under the Equality Act 2010.
Applications:
Deadline 12 noon, Monday 7th December
Interviews:
w/c 14th December
Criteria Common to All Job Descriptions:
A Job Description sets out the purpose of the job, where it fits into the Trust’s structure, the context within
which the job holder functions and the principal accountabilities of job holders, or the main tasks they have to
carry out. It is not a definitive work plan. This document is intended to provide guidance on the scope and
function of the job.
Equal Opportunities Statement:
All employees are required to adhere to and promote the principles and operation of the Trust’s policies on
equalities, to ensure that services provided are relevant to ethnically diverse communities and other
disadvantaged groups in the area.
Health and Safety Statement:
All employees are required to ensure that all duties and responsibilities are discharged in accordance with the
Trust’s Health and Safety at Work Policy and the Health and Safety File. They should take reasonable care for
their own Health and Safety and that of others who may be affected by what they do or do not do. Staff should
correctly use work items provided by the Trust including personal protective equipment in accordance with
training or insurance. All members of Trust staff are responsible for informing their line managers of any
potential gaps in the current Trust Policy. All employees are responsible for ensuring that Health and Safety
Policy is up to date and continuously reviewed and evaluated.
Performance Review:
All employees will participate in the Trust’s Performance Review process. The process aims to ensure that
performance standards/targets are jointly agreed between employees and line managers and are achieved
within agreed time scales. Failure to maintain an appropriate standard indicated by management can result in
Capability proceedings being taken.
Commensurate Statement:
At times, the Post holder will be required to undertake other duties and responsibilities of a similar level and
nature in order to support workload peaks and resources and skill shortages, ensuring priorities are met. This
will be sensitive to available resources and individual skills and will generally be within the same area.
Adherence to Staff Handbook, Policies and Procedures:
The Trust is a large, diverse charitable organisation and as such needs to ensure that all employees are aware
of their obligations to and from the organisation. These are clearly defined in the Staff handbook, the Intranet
and in the policies and procedures adopted by Council as part of the Trust’s governance. All Employees have
an obligation to read and understand these policies, especially those that are pertinent to this role.