Catchment Restoration Manager – River & Floodplain Restoration Lead

This is an exciting opportunity to create, manage and deliver a range of projects that focus on nature’s recovery within the Bristol Avon catchment.

Bristol Avon Rivers Trust’s (BART) has grown its pipeline of projects significantly over the last year and as such the trust is looking to expand its project management capacity, through the recruitment of a Catchment Restoration Manager.

About Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART)

Founded in 2012, the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) is a charity that was established to restore and protect the rivers of the Bristol Avon. Our work is deeply rooted in using the best available evidence and is guided by an ‘ecosystems approach,’ which considers the health and function of the entire catchment area, not just the rivers themselves.

BART is a grassroots organisation born from the collective passion and concern of individuals dedicated to the wellbeing of our waterways. In 2012, a group of like-minded individuals began to realize their vision for the Bristol Avon’s rivers, setting the stage for what BART has become today. Now, with 15 employees and an annual turnover of around £1 million, we manage multi-year projects funded by a wide range of supporters, all aimed at preserving and enhancing the natural beauty and health of the Bristol Avon catchment.

We collaborate with a diverse array of stakeholders—including landowners, local communities, businesses, farmers, and water companies—to safeguard and rejuvenate our rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal areas. This holistic stewardship benefits not only wildlife and the local economy but also people. Protecting our rivers can help farmers save money, lower costs for water companies, boost tourism, reduce the necessity for dredging estuaries, and enhance public health.

In the face of the climate emergency and ecological crisis, our mission has never been more urgent. Building resilience within the Bristol Avon catchment is crucial to weathering these challenges.

The successful post holder will join a growing and ambitious team to deliver a wide array of multi-benefit projects aimed at protecting and improving the health of the rivers throughout the Bristol Avon catchment.

The Role

The Catchment Restoration Manager will oversee and manage a variety of projects aimed at enhancing the health of our rivers for the benefit of both nature and people. This will be achieved through the operational delivery of projects in riparian and river habitats to improve and protect native species and ecosystems. Using best practice, evidence-based methods, you will complete current projects and engage in diverse tasks such as conducting catchment field surveys (ecological, water quality, and Nature-Based Solutions), developing projects, and managing the delivery of river restoration, and nature-based solution schemes.

The post holder will support the Heads of Department and Chief Executive Officer in ensuring funding compliance and reporting to all relevant funders and partners. Additionally, they will scope new projects and collaborate with the Heads of Department to write funding applications, securing a pipeline of future projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Delivery and oversight of a range of catchment restoration projects, including river restoration, wetland creation and Natural Flood Management schemes.
• Manage project resources, budget and schedule, including recordkeeping.
• Work with the Heads of Department to ensure project costs are in line with overall project budgets and keep suitable records in line with the funding requirements and document retention policy.
• Provide line management to Project Officers and Project Assistants and actively promote the Vision, Mission and work of the Trust.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to support junior staff including line reports, in developing their technical skillsets.
• Create Project delivery plans and communicate this to internal and external audiences.
• Identify project risks and build mitigation for these into the delivery plan. Same for communications plans and budget.
• Scope tender documents and requests for quotation, including for technical aspects of work which may require input from colleagues within the Trust.
• Management of suppliers, contractors within CDM Framework.
• Identify and communicate with stakeholders necessary to secure permissions/ permits necessary to ensure successful delivery.
• Preparation and submission of applications to obtain consents to deliver work on the ground (including Environment Agency Permits, Landowner Agreements and Planning applications).
• Work with and coordinate a team of conservation professionals and volunteer network. across a variety of projects.
• Maintain and grow the Trust’s partnerships, with stakeholders, delivery partners and landowners.
• Contribute and in some instances, lead on the production of publicity and marketing materials.
• You may be required to carry out other duties and tasks as required from time to time for the efficient operation of the Trust.

Candidate Profile

Essential

• Passion for nature conservation, with an excellent knowledge of UK river species and habitats and aware of the environmental issues impacting our rivers.
• You will have experience in delivering projects in the environmental, water or conservational sector (for example hydrology, engineering, fisheries science, or geomorphology).
• Environmental surveying experience (habitat surveys, water quality, land management etc.).
• Excellent project management skills, demonstrated through having managed multiple projects, contractors and procurement.
• A confident and clear communicator working with a variety of stakeholders and groups.
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic and decisive with an ability to follow your own initiative.
• Effective collaborator able to be a proactive and supportive member of the team.
• Confidence to engage and build relationships across organisations with differing objectives and priorities.
• Excellent literacy, computer, numeracy and report-writing skills.
• Full UK driving license and access to vehicle with full business insurance cover.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the Bristol Avon Catchment.
• Experience in overseeing environmental improvement projects, in particular River Restoration, Natural Flood Management or Nature-Based Solutions including wetlands.
• Experience of working for a small organisation and the public or voluntary sectors.
• Working knowledge of GIS data systems such as ArcGIS.
• Practical river restoration experience.
• Proven track record of securing new business.
• Experience in the management and coordination of staff and volunteers.
• Association of a relevant Professional Body and/or Educating Organisation demonstrating continuous professional improvement.