Local recruitment: Bathing Water Development Officer 

Thames21

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

Home-based/Remote

Salary: £26,000 – £30,000 per annum, pro rata 0.8FTE (4 days a week)

Contract length: Fixed Term 24 months – flexible hours

Location: Hybrid between home/ office (Guildhall and/or Bow Locks)/ site based. Occasional travel to other locations.

Responsible to: Environmental Programme Manager

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

A positive and successful approach into formally designating a site in Oxford with Bathing Water Status in 2021 was replicated in on the River Thames at Wallingford in 2022. Thames21 have since secured further funding to collect the required data, engage and consult communities and other stakeholders, and apply for Bathing Water Designation at 4 sites between 2023-24. This is critical to establish a baseline of the water quality of our rivers in relation to the directives criteria. This role will lead that initiative through the development and delivery of a citizen science approach to monitor these rivers in partnership with the Local Authority and the communities within.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Working within Thames21’s and the Rivers Trust structure you will be responsible for the following tasks:

  • Recruit, train and motivate volunteers to deliver the monitoring programme.
  • Coordinating water quality monitoring activities for 2 locations (possible 10 sites for each) with volunteers.
  • Ensure that appropriate risk assessments are produced for all events/activities.
  • Develop, arrange and organise a 12 hour “waterblitz” of the catchment according to plan.
  • Co-ordinate volunteers to carry out river usage surveys over 20 days during the bathing season (May – September). This includes bank holidays and weekends during the summer holidays.
  • Engage key stakeholders, community groups and the wider public in completing a stakeholder consultation.
  • Working with the Local Authorities, apply to DEFRA for Bathing Water Designation status in the timeframes stipulated.
  • Provide clear verbal and written reports of results for a range of audiences and expertise.
  • Share project updates and results in oral presentations to stakeholders and catchment partnerships.
  • Transport of equipment to/from test sites in own vehicle or company vehicle.
  • Uploading data to ThankQ, our CRM system.
  • Work outside in a riverside environment in a variety of weathers – alone, with team members, volunteers and professionals.
  • Work with Thames21 colleagues to develop and implement Thames21’s 5yr plan

In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed, the post holder is required to perform any other reasonable duties which may be requested from time to time.

  • This job description cannot cover every issue or task that may arise within the post at various times and the post-holder will be expected to carry out other reasonable duties from time to time which are broadly consistent with other Thames21 activities with those in this document.

Person Specification
It is essential that in your application you give evidence or examples of your proven experience in each of the following criteria including the competencies.

Essential

  • Working knowledge of water quality issues that impact on urban and rural waterways.
  • Knowledge of water quality sampling in field environments.
  • Knowledge and experience of working with community groups and local stakeholders.
  • Ability to develop relationships with experts and non-expert stakeholders.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with a wide range of people.
  • Understanding of health and safety in a water environment.
  • Data management and interpretation experience.
  • Full, clean UK driving license or legal entitlement to drive in the UK.
  • Ability to produce clear verbal and written reports and feedback.
  • Able and confident at working safely in and around water.

Desirable

  • Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant subject.
  • Knowledge of working with water quality sensors.
  • An understanding of citizen science and the benefits of this approach.
  • Able and confident in lone working.
  • Access to a car.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The post-holder;

  • Must be willing to travel sensibly throughout London and occasionally nationally and internationally.
  • Must be willing to work in the evening, bank holidays, and at weekends.
  • May be required to have a current or agree to a Disclosure & Barring Service check.
  • Will agree to work to the Thames21 operating policies and codes of conduct.

We offer:

  • 25 days paid annual leave are available pro rata plus public holidays. In addition, the Thames21 office is closed between Christmas and New Year.
  • Thames21 operate a flexitime system of working.
  • Interest free season ticket loan or bike loan is available.
  • Training budget.
  • Childcare voucher scheme is available.
  • Mobile phone for company use.
  • Thames21 have an ‘Auto Enrol’ Workplace Pension Scheme with NEST.
  • Healthcare scheme available (employee contribution only).

If you are interested in applying, please email your CV and covering letter of no more than two sides, stating your suitability for the position to: stephen.haywood@thames21.org.uk by no later than 5pm Wednesday 4th January 2023. Interviews scheduled to take place week no later than week commencing 9th January 2023. 


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