Community and Farm Biodiversity Co-ordinator
Posted 2 days ago by Common Flora
£25 Per hour
Undetermined
Undetermined
Totnes, England, United Kingdom
Summary: The Community and Farm Biodiversity Co-ordinator role focuses on enhancing the wellbeing of local farmers and vulnerable communities in South Devon by promoting biodiversity and climate-positive farming practices. The position involves direct engagement with farmers, conducting research, and supporting community involvement in biodiversity initiatives. The role is part-time, starting at 8 hours per week and increasing to 16 hours per week from September 2026, with potential for more hours in the future. The position is based in a rural area of Devon, close to Totnes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Engage directly with farmers to provide advice on biodiversity enhancements and regenerative farming practices.
- Carry out on-farm research into the impacts of biodiversity and climate-positive farming practices.
- Conduct data analysis, interpretation, report writing, and presentation.
- Collaborate with farmers to implement nature-friendly farming practices.
- Engage citizen scientists and younger people in on-farm biodiversity events.
- Liaise with others to develop scalable methods of farm biodiversity monitoring.
- Promote the project by attending events and advocating for farms' roles in climate action.
- Support farmer-to-farmer networking and knowledge sharing.
- Participate in Common Flora events and activities with community groups.
- Undertake training as required.
- Perform other jobs as required.
Key Skills:
- Degree Level or above in Ecology or Conservation.
- Experience in designing and conducting biodiversity surveys, including data analysis.
- Effective communication skills with diverse audiences.
- Qualifications/experience in running outdoor/on-farm activities.
- Report writing skills.
- Flexible and positive attitude towards work with commitment to project aims.
- Access to own transport.
- Significant qualifications (min Level 3) and/or experience (min 3 years) in regenerative agriculture and ecology (desirable).
- Knowledge of DEFRA payments to farmers (desirable).
- Experience working with farmers and vulnerable people (desirable).
- Experience in leading accessible on-farm activities (desirable).
- Experience in carrying out on-farm research (desirable).
- Experience in bid writing and strategic planning (desirable).
- Current DBS and/or Outdoor First Aid (desirable).
Salary (Rate): £25 per hour
City: Totnes
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: undetermined
IR35 Status: undetermined
Seniority Level: undetermined
Industry: Other
description: £18 to £25 per hour gross, depending on experience. Starting at 8 hours per week and rising to 16 hours per week from September 2026. More hours and longer term might become possible over time. The job is based in a rural area of Devon close to Totnes.
GENERAL BACKGROUND STATEMENT
The overall outcomes will enhance the wellbeing of local farmers and vulnerable communities in South Devon, while raising awareness of the crucial role farms play in addressing the biodiversity and climate crises.
JOB DESCRIPTION
- Engage directly with farmers to provide advice on farm-wide biodiversity enhancements, climate positive farming and regenerative farming practices to support nature.
- Carry out on-farm research into the impacts of biodiversity, regenerative and climate positive farming practices.
- Data analysis, interpretation, report writing and presentation. Work collaboratively with farmers to co-design the implementation of nature friendly farming practices on their farms.
- Support connection to nature on farms by engaging citizen scientists, younger people and others in on-farm biodiversity events.
- Liaise with others to develop scalable methods of farm biodiversity monitoring, attending workshops, webinars and knowledge sharing events regionally and nationally.
- Promote the work of the project by attending events and promoting farms as important places for taking positive action on the climate and biodiversity crises.
- Support farmer-to-farmer networking and knowledge sharing. Take part in Common Flora events and activities with a variety of community groups.
- Undertake training as required.
- Undertake other jobs as required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL
- Degree Level or above, Ecology or Conservation
- Experience in designing and carrying out a range of biodiversity surveys, including data analysis and interpretation of results.
- Effective communication with a wide range of audiences.
- Qualifications/experience in running outdoor/on-farm activities
- Report writing.
- Flexible and positive attitude to work and a strong commitment to the project aims.
- Access to own transport
DESIRABLE
- Significant qualifications (min Level 3) and/or experience (min 3 years ) in regenerative agriculture and ecology.
- Knowledge of the DEFRA payments to farmers.
- Evidenced experience of working with farmers.
- Evidenced experience of working with vulnerable people.
- Experience in leading accessible on-farm activities.
- Experience in carrying out on-farm research.
- Experience in bid writing.
- Experience in strategic thinking and planning.
- Current DBS and/or Outdoor First Aid