River Project Officer

Do you love our chalk streams? Would you like to make a positive difference? Are you a practical, organised good communicator who can get things done?

We are recruiting a river project officer to continue ARK’s work to improve rivers and wetlands for the benefit of wildlife and people in the Pang and Kennet catchments. ARK is a rivers trust, part of the Rivers Trust Movement working to achieve wild and healthy rivers valued by all.

We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, practical and hands on, passionate about improving the environment and enjoys a varied role. You will be able to communicate with stakeholders from board members to school children, enjoy practical activity and be enthusiastic about continuing to develop your knowledge and skills.

Job Summary

In this varied role you will join a small but dynamic team making a real difference for the freshwater environment. You will be responsible for supporting and developing projects to improve chalk stream habitats, as well as increasing public engagement and understanding of rivers. There will be a strong emphasis on working with local communities, and building communication with diverse partners including landowners, community groups and industry.

The job will suit someone with a strong interest in the water environment, particularly chalk streams. You will need a good understanding of river processes and the Catchment Based Approach. strong communication skills, the ability to manage a combination of tasks and the confidence to work independently at times.

Your principal responsibilities will be to:

• Organise, co-ordinate and support community volunteers to carry out citizen science surveys for water vole, river water quality, riverfly trout redds and invasive species (with appropriate training as required).
• Record, collate and share results of data collection so it can be used to drive action
• Give talks and presentations to schools, community groups and project partners
• Keep web content current
• Build new activities to engage and inspire stakeholders, facilitating meetings, workshops and a communications programme to build momentum for chalk stream recovery.
• Work closely with the ARK team, providing practical and administrative support as needed.
• Be able to work on site across the Kennet and Pang catchments, including the ARK office in Marlborough.

To learn more about the role, responsibilities, and requirements, please see that attached job description.

Visit Action for the River Kennet's website to learn more about the work of the organisation. 

What we offer

We offer a flexible, supportive working environment and encourage hybrid working. We think it’s important to have an office base so that the team can meet regularly and learn from each other, so in a typical week we expect that staff will work from home, office and in the catchment. Please don’t apply if you want to only work remotely. We want you to learn and grow with us, so we support professional development through training, CPD opportunities and learning alongside experienced colleagues. Our culture is friendly, supportive and mission driven. We all love rivers and our office is across the meadow from the River Kennet.

This is a full-time role, but many of our teamwork part time and we will consider applications from people who would prefer to work part time.

How to apply

If you would like an informal chat about the post, please contact our CEO Charlotte Hitchmough 07880 515859.
To apply please send a CV and a covering letter to: [email protected]

Please use your cover letter to explain why you would like this role, the skills and experience you can offer and any other information you consider relevant.

Application closing date: 19 July 2026

We will endeavour to contact all candidates to let them know the outcome of their application and we may go to a second round of interviews, however if you have not heard from us by August 10th, please assume you have not been successful.

You can find out more about the main projects you will be part of here:

The Pang Flagship Chalk Stream Partnership

The Pang Flagship Chalk Stream partnership was established in 2023, and a steering group has been meeting regularly to agree project priorities and actions. A number of projects are under way, with a pipeline to be developed and delivered. This role offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a step change in the health of one of England’s chalk streams, working with a small, committed team and harnessing the power of partnership across organisations and communities. 

For information about Pang Flagship Chalk Stream see: Pang Flagship Chalk Stream Restoration Partnership – Working together for a clean and healthy River Pang

The Kennet Catchment Partnership

The Kennet Catchment Partnership is one of the longest established catchment partnerships in the country. It has a broad and engaged membership and a pipeline of identified projects. For more information about the Kennet Catchment Partnership see: www.kennetcatchment.org