Plantlife Cymru Lower Plants & Fungi Officer Job Description
Terms: part-time position, 3 days/week.
Location: preferably Plantlife Cymru office in Bangor, Wales
Salary: £25-27,000 pro rata depending on experience
Benefits:
 25 days holiday/pa excluding bank holidays with extra day on completion of 1, 3, 5 and
7 years service.
 Up to 4 days additional holiday provided between Christmas and New Year.
 Contribution to personal pension scheme (current rate 5.5% of gross Salary) dependant
on employee contribution of 2%
 Eye care voucher scheme
 Informal office environment
 Sabbatical leave available after 10 years service
Reporting to: Plantlife Cymru Conservation Manager
OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB
 Act as a champion for lichens, bryophytes and fungi, raising awareness of their
significance & needs with land owners, land managers and local communities in
particular.
 Coordinate, develop and manage conservation activities for priority lichens, bryophytes,
fungi and Important Plant Areas in Wales
 Establish and maintain relationships with key partners to deliver Plantlife Cymru’s
contribution to the Strategy and Action Plan for the Conservation of Lower Plants and
Fungi in Wales.
MAIN DUTIES:
1. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LOWER PLANT AND FUNGI CONSERVATION STRATEGY
Understanding and Documenting Lower Plant & Fungal Diversity
 Access information and data to aid the conservation of priority lichens, bryophytes and
fungi
 Publish guidelines for the management of land which supports lichens, bryophytes and
fungi
Working with botanical & mycological experts and the specialist societies as necessary.
Conserving Lower Plant & Fungal Diversity
 Develop conservation projects to deliver the needs of priority lichens, bryophytes and
fungi within the context of sustainable land management practices
 Support the protection and management of Important Plant Areas for lichens,
bryophytes and fungi in Wales.
 Demonstrate best practice management and gather evidence to support policy needs of
lichens, bryophytes and fungi.
Activities include liaison with landowners and managers to improve site management,
the use of expert consultants for survey work, contributing information to development
proposals and the co-ordination and implementation of monitoring strategies.
Building Capacity for the Conservation of Lower Plant & Fungal Diversity
 Contribute to Wales Biodiversity Partnership meetings; build partnerships with land
managing organisations; attend Plant Link Cymru meetings.
 Support the Lichen Apprenticeship scheme in Wales.
Promoting Education and Awareness about Lower Plant & Fungal Diversity
 Work with Plantlife’s Communications Team to raise awareness of lichens, bryophytes
and fungi, through events, publicity and online material.
 Respond to enquiries from the general public about Plantlife’s lichen, bryophyte and
fungi work in Wales.
2. ADMINISTRATION
 Contribute to the reporting process to funding partners, and participate in liaison
meetings
 Manage project budgets in line with Plantlife’s accounts systems, and assist with the
development of applications for grants
 Provide regular reports to the Chief Executive, Board and other colleagues.
 Maintain an efficient and effective office.
 Carry out such other duties as required by the Chief Executive and other members of
Senior Staff from time to time.
PERSON SPECIFICATION: Skills and experience
The post holder will have proven conservation and project management skills and
experience, and a passion for wild plants and fungi.
Essential
 An enthusiasm for wild plants and fungi
 Degree in botany or relevant environmental science and at least three years proven
experience working in conservation; if degree not held at least eight years proven
experience working in conservation in the field.
 Significant wildlife and conservation management experience
 Strong understanding and experience of building and sustaining successful relationships
with landowners, land-managers and other organisations.
 Willingness to travel regularly within Wales, including nights away from home.
 Experience of developing and delivering projects within budget
 To be a self-starting and positive team player, who is accessible and communicative
 Ability to be well organised and work to tight deadlines.
 Excellent verbal and written communication and IT skills.
Desirable
 Botanical and field knowledge of British bryophytes and lichens, including ecology and
conservation management needs.
 An understanding of biodiversity delivery structures in Wales.
 Experience of working in the voluntary sector.
 Up-to-date First Aid qualifications.