Project Officer

The Wessex Rivers Trust (Wessex RT) is an environmental charity dedicated to the protection and conservation of rivers and chalk streams in the Wessex area. We are a dynamic, growing and friendly team based in a beautiful location on the outskirts of Salisbury. Wessex RT covers the rivers and iconic chalk streams of East Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, the New Forest and Isle of Wight. We have many exciting river restoration and conservation projects lined up for delivery in the coming years. Therefore, the Trust is seeking to appoint an experienced Project Officer to help us deliver these to the highest standards and with maximum benefit for the environment as well as local communities.

Job summary and purpose

The Project Officer will be responsible for developing, preparing and delivering a range of projects, from concept to completion. Projects will range from small, community-led habitat improvements delivered through volunteer actions to large complex river restoration projects and nature-based solutions by managing specialist consultants and contractors. Although practical, on the ground delivery is a key aspect of the role, the majority of the PO’s time will be dedicated to project preparation, development, monitoring and stakeholder engagement.

Most projects undertaken by the Trust provide multiple benefits including fish passage, habitat quality improvement, flood reduction through Natural Flood Management, water quality improvements, non-native species control and many more. The Project Officer will be willing and eager to work on a diverse range of projects.

The Project Officer role is part of the Trust’s Habitats Team. This team is led by the Trust’s Director of Operations and consists of Senior Project Managers/Officers, Project Officers and Project Assistants. The Project Officer will collaborate with other Trust staff as well as several external partners to scope, develop and deliver projects. This will include preparing and/or commissioning project proposals, detailed designs, protected species surveys, submitting permit and licence applications, procuring contracts and all other aspects of efficient and successful project delivery.

Please see the attached job description below for a full breakdown of the role and visit the Wessex Rivers Trust website to learn more about the Trust's work.

Apply

To apply, email your CV (not more than 3 pages) and a cover letter (1000 words maximum) describing your suitability for the role with explicit reference to the Person Specification to: [email protected] by 5pm, Monday 9th June.

Interviews will take place on Thursday 19th and Friday 20th June 2025.