River Restoration Project Manager

Organisation:	Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
Salary:	C£34,000 – £38,000 (depending on experience) + 9% employers pension contribution
Location:	Bristol Avon catchment
Hours:	Full Time, 40 hours per week. Flexibility required (some evening & weekend work)
Contract:	Permanent
Closing date:	Applications by midnight Friday 7^th February 2024
Website:	www.bristolavonriverstrust.org
Contact name:	Simon Hunter
Contact email:	simon@bristolavonriverstrust.org

Overview

This exciting role offers the opportunity to lead projects driving nature’s recovery within the Bristol Avon catchment.

Following significant growth in its project pipeline, Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) is expanding its team by recruiting a River Restoration Project Manager.

About Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART)

Founded in 2012, the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) is a charity dedicated to restoring and protecting the rivers of the Bristol Avon. Guided by an evidence-based, ecosystem-wide approach, we focus on the health of the entire catchment, not just the rivers themselves.

BART began as a grassroots effort driven by a shared passion for waterways. Today, with 17 employees and an annual turnover of over £1 million, we manage multi-year projects funded by diverse supporters to preserve and enhance the Bristol Avon catchment.

We work with landowners, communities, businesses, farmers, and water companies to protect and rejuvenate rivers, lakes, and estuaries, delivering benefits for wildlife, local economies, and people. Our efforts help reduce costs for farmers and water companies and enhance public health while addressing the climate and ecological crises.

The post holder will join a growing, ambitious team delivering multi-benefit projects to protect and improve the Bristol Avon catchment.

The Role

The River Restoration Project 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:

Deliver and oversee catchment restoration projects, including river restoration, wetland creation, and nature-based solutions schemes.
Manage project resources, budgets, schedules, and maintain accurate records.
Collaborate with Heads of Department to ensure alignment of project costs with budgets and funding requirements.
Provide line management for Project Officers and Assistants, promoting the Trust’s Vision and Mission.
Mentor junior staff to develop their technical skills.
Develop and communicate project delivery plans to internal and external stakeholders.
Identify project risks and create mitigation strategies, including communications and budget plans.
Scope tender documents and quotations, involving technical input as needed.
Manage suppliers and contractors within the CDM Framework.
Secure permissions and permits through stakeholder engagement.
Prepare and submit applications for consents (e.g., Environment Agency Permits, Landowner Agreements, Planning Applications).
Coordinate conservation professionals and the Trust’s volunteers across various projects.
Maintain and expand partnerships with stakeholders, delivery partners, and landowners.
Prepare funding applications and secure funding for BART’s river restoration projects.
Contribute to and occasionally lead the creation of publicity and marketing materials.
Perform additional duties as required for the efficient operation of the Trust.

Candidate Profile

Essential

Passion for nature conservation with strong knowledge of UK river species, habitats, and environmental issues.
Experience delivering projects in the environmental, water, or conservation sectors (e.g., hydrology, engineering, fisheries science, geomorphology).
Environmental surveying expertise (habitat surveys, water quality, land management, etc.).
Strong project management skills, including managing multiple projects, contractors, and procurement.
Effective communicator with diverse stakeholders and groups
Self-motivated, enthusiastic, decisive, and capable of working independently.
Team player who collaborates proactively and supportively.
Skilled in building relationships across organisations with varied objectives.
Proficient in literacy, computer use, numeracy, and report writing.
Full UK driving license and access to a vehicle with business insurance coverage.

Desirable

Knowledge of the Bristol Avon Catchment.
Experience overseeing environmental projects, especially river restoration, Natural Flood Management, or Nature-Based Solutions.
Practical river restoration experience.
Experience working in small organisations or the environmental charity sector.
Proficiency with GIS systems (e.g., ArcGIS) and CorelDraw (or equivalent design software)
Proven success in securing new business.
Experience managing and coordinating staff and volunteers.
Membership in a relevant professional body or educational organisation demonstrating ongoing professional development.

General Notes

Home-based role with travel across the Bristol Avon Catchment.
Occasional evening, weekend, and public holiday work required.
Physical fitness necessary for full-day surveys and river restoration in all weather conditions.
Commitment to minimising environmental impact in job responsibilities.
Efficient and effective resource utilisation expected.
Adherence to value-for-money principles and procurement guidelines for goods and services.

Interested parties should submit a CV and a one page covering letter explaining why you would perform well in this role and what you could bring to BART. These should be sent to: simon@bristolavonriverstrust.org

Interviews for this post will take place in the Bristol Avon catchment during w/c 17^th February 2025.

Please note, due to limited resources you will only be contacted should you be successful in gaining an interview. We would like to thank you for your interest in this position.

Thank you for your interest in applying for a role with the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust.

Trust Administrator

Title	Trust Administrator (P/T)
Salary:	£25k-£28k (pro rata, depending on experience) + Pension
Contract:	Permanent (3 months probationary period)
Hours:	Part-time (0.6 FTE / 3 days per week with some flexibility preferred
Location:	Bristol office, plus scope for homeworking.
Responsible to:	Chief Executive

About Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART)

The post holder will join a growing, ambitious team delivering multi-benefit projects to protect and improve the Bristol Avon catchment, and the Trust Administrator will play a key role in supporting the smooth delivery of the Trust’s operations.

Job summary and purpose

The Trust Administrator is responsible for maintaining the core administrative functions of the Trust to ensure the smooth operation of the charity, enabling its mission to ensure healthy rivers for wildlife and people.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, the Trust Administrator will work with a range of internal and external contacts to ensure routine business functions, human and physical resources, supporter and governance liaison are working well. The role will involve working closely with the Chief Executive, but also with other members of the team, Trustees, supporters and suppliers.

The role will require exceptional organisational skills, excellent interpersonal skills, an attention to detail, and working flexibly in an agile environment. Experience of organisational administration in the public, private or charity sector, and experience of HR, meetings administration and IT are essential while purchasing and negotiating with suppliers is desirable. A helpful and positive attitude is needed, as is a willingness to embrace flexible ways of working. Adherence to certain policies and procedures is essential, including requirements such as data confidentiality and upholding a culture of professionalism.

Whilst the role is predominantly aimed at internal support, including for Trustees and supporters, external liaison will be required with suppliers, funders, partners, and the public.

Duties and responsibilities

1	Organisational administration
	1	Take ownership of core business administrative functions including the office space, monitoring and maintaining resources, monitoring inboxes.
	2	Liaison and negotiation with, and purchasing from, suppliers and providers spanning IT, resources, insurance etc.
	3	Assist in the upholding of key policies and procedures e.g. security and safety checks.
	4	Coordinate routine governance procedures including organising and minuting meetings, filing returns, and communicating with Trustees.
	5	Coordinate routine HR procedures including recruitment and managing confidential records, including those of staff, supporters and volunteers.
	6	Coordinate external IT support; undertaking routine IT administration.
	7	Liaison with finance staff to facilitate the maintenance of timely and accurate financial records, including assistance with project claims where required.
	8	Executive assistance including diary management, event and meetings organisation.

2	Contributing to the work of the BART in general
	1	Contribute to delivering the Trust’s objectives
	2	Help maintain and enhance the Trust’s reputation through external contacts
	3	Undertake other duties that may be appropriate to the position

Person specification

3	Qualifications and required knowledge		Essential	Desirable
	1	Educated to a degree level in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience in a relevant sector	X
	2	Knowledge of relevant administrative processes and procedures	X
	3	Understanding of managing contacts in a confidential manner	X
	4	Understanding of charity governance	X
	5	Understanding of the environmental / freshwater sector		X

4	Experience		Essential	Desirable
	1	Demonstrable experience of organisational administration in a team context	X
	2	Setting-up and maintaining efficient administrative systems	X
	3	Use of (essential) and routine administration of (desirable) office software applications e.g. MS 365	X	X
	4	Experience of managing external contacts	X
	5	Working alone and as part of a team	X

5	Skills & Competencies		Essential	Desirable
	1	Highly organised and comfortable with agile working	X
	2	Clear and correct plain English writing ability	X
	3	Excellent telephone answering and calling skills, with a wide range of audiences, including suppliers, stakeholders, and the public.	X
	4	Excellent IT skills, including use of Office 365	X
	5	Excellent interpersonal and communication skills	X
	6	Excellent time and task management	X
	7	Ability to negotiate and secure best value from suppliers		X

6	Personal Attributes		Essential	Desirable
	1	Diligent and organised with an attention to detail	X
	2	Strong interpersonal skills and assertiveness	X
	3	Pro-active and innovative	X
	4	Open, transparent and flexible	X
	5	Commitment to a healthy freshwater environment	X
	6	Being able to maintain excellent client relationships		X
	7	Commitment to upholding professionalism	X

Miscellaneous

The post is likely to involve occasional travel throughout the Bristol Avon (Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath & Northeast Somerset, Wiltshire, North Somerset) therefore a full UK driving licence and use of own vehicle is required. Mileage expenses will be paid at 45p per mile as set out in HMRC’s Approved Mileage Allowance Payment. Some evening and weekend work may be required. We will also require the successful applicant to undergo a DBS check and provide satisfactory references.

How to apply

Interviews for this post will take place in Bristol, w/c 3^rd March.