Senior Technical Peatlands Officer Job Summary: The Senior Technical Peatlands Officer should hold a Level 6 qualification or equivalent in an environmental subject and have proven experience in stakeholder management. You will have practical experience of working with contractors, landowners, farmers and graziers, as well as government and local authority bodies. You will have worked as part of a dedicated project team, delivering outputs on time and within budget. You will have experience using GIS software, preferably ArcGIS, and be confident with Microsoft Office, including Excel. You will bring strong communication and organisational skills, with the ability to produce clear, detailed documents, reports and action plans related to habitat management and restoration. Salary: S01 - NJC Pts 23-25; £34,434 - £36,363 gross per annum. Contributory pension with the Peoples Pension with employers pension contribution 5% per annum to be matched by at least the same by the employee. Appointments will be made at the first point of the scale. Hours: Full-time hours 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Will require some weekend and evening work. Location: Based at Mourne Heritage Trust (MHT) offices, 19 Causeway Road, Newcastle with hot desk access at other locations, and hybrid working by agreement. Occasional travel throughout the UK and Ireland will be required. Contract: Fixed Term Contract to 31st March 2029, unless SEUPB extension is approved or continued funding becomes available. This post is subject to a 6-month probationary period Secondment can be considered Leave: 25 days per annum plus 12 days statutory holidays Reporting to: Peat Mourne & Slieve Gullion Projects Coordinator Other Benefits: Flexi-time system and onsite free parking. Requirement: Prospective candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK. This will be verified with shortlisted candidates at the interview stage. Basic Access NI check will be completed prior to appointment Key Tasks and responsibilities Operational You will: Provide key environmental technical support to the Project Coordinator for the development and procurement of external services that will deliver peat restoration planning and delivery techniques, scientific monitoring services and purchases of equipment as required for the anticipated practical works planned for the target sites. Take the lead on the review process of existing peatland restoration plans and guide the process of developing new plans for the target sites. Produce detailed management planning actions for the target sites for inclusion in the Eastern Mournes SAC Conservation Management Plans in collaboration with MHT, NI Water, NIEA, and other key stakeholders. Support full compliance by the MHT and Gullion team members and any external contractors, taking the lead on Construction Design Management and other risk assessments for the on-ground restoration and monitoring works to ensure compliance and a safe working environment. Liaise with other PEACEPLUS programme partners to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and ensure best practice methods are understood and adopted by the Mourne and Slieve Gullion teams. Provide support to the Project Coordinator, and wider programme partnership to ensure good governance, project development and delivery. General Requirements Actively contribute to the MHT and NMDDC teams and promote the sharing of knowledge with programme partners and across the wider heritage sector. Comply with MHT policies and practices at all times and observe the policies and practices of other project partners. Participate in internal staff and MHT Board meetings as required for the programme. Ensure that contact with others is of a style and quality consistent with Mourne Heritage Trusts ethos. Undertake any other relevant duties as required by the MHT Landscape Services Development Manager/CEO. Essential Criteria 1. At least a Level 6 qualification in a relevant subject such as Environmental Science, ecology or other biological science and at least 2 years relevant full-time (volunteer experience may be considered) OR 5 years relevant full-time (or equivalent part-time experience) in an environmental/ecology/land management role. (It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate the relevance of qualifications and work-related experience.) 2. Good knowledge and understanding of biodiversity on the island of Ireland and the management requirements associated with designated sites and priority habitats and species in either NI or ROI. 3. Demonstrable technical knowledge of GIS software use for habitat and species recording or peatland restoration projects. 4. Experience of managing contractors. 5. Technical knowledge of peatland restoration practices including Construction Design Management (CDM) requirements and appropriate risk assessments/compliance. 6. Demonstrable experience of building and maintaining effective relationships with landowners and land managers. 7. Experience writing or co-writing conservation or habitat restoration management /action plans/reports to strict deadlines. 8. Demonstrable experience of working as part of a team. 9. Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbally effective presentation skills, report writing and the ability to converse with a diverse range of people at all levels. 10. Effective organisational skills including the ability to plan, manage and prioritise workloads for self, meeting strict deadlines, plan and organise site meetings and events. 11. High level of computer literacy with a good knowledge of Microsoft Office suite. 12. Driver's license and access to transport for business purposes to allow the post holder to carry out the full requirements of the role Desirable Criteria 1. Experience of developing tender documentation and supervising contractors on site in upland environments. 2. Experience of following financial procedures and procurement processes associated with public funding, such as EU or Government (NI) funding. 3. Experience of technical report writing/ management plans for upland or peatland habitats. 4. Knowledge of environmental and agricultural issues that impact site management. 5. Experience of Peatland/bog monitoring equipment and software, such as Eyes on the Bog, water table monitors or Flux monitors. 6. Experience of presenting complex conservation land management approaches to key stakeholders.