Overview

Forestry England looks after the nation’s forests with the aim that everyone in England should feel connected to them. To help restore nature to the forest landscapes that we manage, working closely with partners, we have delivered a wide range of conservation translocations. All translocation projects should be based on sound evidence and reasoning, meaning feasibility assessments before the decision to proceed are essential.

This role will help assess the feasibility of translocation projects, focusing on the biological, ecological, and socio-economic determinants of success. This role will focus on the potential reintroduction of golden eagle to England. However, we will investigate opportunities to extend the role to either continue the project or work with other species.

Responsibilities

Purpose of Job

To assess the feasibility of conservation translocations within the nation’s forests, and to provide national and district level support for potential projects.Key Work Areas

  •  Assessing the biological suitability of translocation projects. To include:
    • National and local habitat mapping, including the use of species distribution models
    • Connectivity mapping, to evaluate the potential for species movements across landscapes
    •  Population viability analyses
  •  Assessing the ecological suitability of translocation projects. To include:
    • Habitats Regulations Assessments focusing on the potential impacts of the species on protected sites and species
  • Assessing the socio-economic suitability of translocation projects. To include:
    • Assessment of potential socio-economic risks and benefits
    • Stakeholder mapping, engagement, and partnership building
    • Public assessment of attitudes to translocation 

Person Specification

Experience:
Essential

  • Experience working on the feasibility, delivery, or post-release actions of a conservation translocation
  • Experience working in conservation science
  • Experience building partnerships with national stakeholders and assessing the attitudes of individuals with a variety of viewpoints. Experience working in human-wildlife conflict resolution will be particularly favoured

Desirable

  • Experience working on Habitats Regulations Assessments

Technical knowledge and understanding:

Essential

  • Technical knowledge and understanding in a relevant field of conservation science. Understanding of species distribution models (e.g. Maxent), connectivity mapping (e.g. Rangeshifter), or population viability analysis (e.g. Vortex) will be particularly favoured
  • Understanding of stakeholder and public engagement methodologies

Desirable

  • Relevant knowledge of Forestry England’s areas of business
  • Technical knowledge on theories of social change
  • Masters or PhD in a suitable discipline

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Working Together
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Delivering at Pace