Smooth Snake Recovery Officer

Listed below are our current vacancies: Smooth Snake Recovery Officer

Salary: £26,000 with an employer pension contribution of 8% with a minimum employee contribution of 1%

Contract: Fixed term from 1 December 2026 until 31 March 2029, with the possibility of extension subject to funding

Hours of work: Full time (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday)

Reports to: Species Recovery Manager

Location: Office based at our head office in Bournemouth, Dorset with regular field visits in Dorset and the surrounding area

The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC) seeks an ecologist to work on ARC’s exciting new project, “Essential research and translocation for smooth snake recovery.” This project will enhance the conservation status of the UK’s rarest reptile, the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca), and is funded by a substantial award from Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme (SRP) Grant Scheme. This new project will build on ARC’s foundational work on smooth snakes by investigating the relationship between smooth snake status and key habitat characteristics, investigate how genomics can aid recovery planning, and undertake a conservation translocation.

It will involve working with a range of partners, including regulators, landowners, volunteers and researchers. The post requires good organisational skills, with a significant amount of planning, reporting and budget management.

The post will be based at ARC’s head office in Bournemouth. The post-holder will be expected to either live in or be able to travel regularly to Dorset and the surrounding area for meetings and fieldwork. A modest amount of travel elsewhere in Britain will be required. Travel expenses will be paid, and IT equipment will be provided.

The main duties are as follows:

• Lead on the key delivery elements of the “Essential research and translocation for smooth snake recovery” Natural England SRP-funded project, including: liaison with researchers and landowners, monitoring, initiate a conservation translocation, communications to a wider audience and literature synthesis.
• Work closely with ARC senior managers and specialist staff to ensure the project is delivered to a high standard, and integrates with ARC’s existing programmes of work.
• Support and co-ordinate volunteers, and manage contractors.
• Consult and consider appropriate sources of evidence to guide conservation practices.

Note:

Given risks of pathogen transfer associated with fieldwork, the position would not suit someone who currently keeps exotic reptiles or amphibians at home, unless they are willing to comply with strict biosecurity protocols.

We have a variety of opportunities for work placements and volunteering.

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