Project Engagement Officer: Saving Devon’s Native Crayfish - Devon

Contract: Full time, fixed term ending 31 March 2027

Location: Wildwood Devon, Escot Park, Ottery St. Mary, EX11 1LU

Reports to: Conservation Manager

Responsible for: Survey volunteers

Grade: 5

Closing date: 7 June 2026

Project Overview

The Saving Devon’s Native Crayfish Project is a ground breaking programme to ensure the long term health of white-clawed crayfish in the county. This rescue and reintroduction project is an exciting partnership project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and South West Water (SWW). The project works in close collaboration with Environment Agency, expert ecologists, and a wide range of stakeholders.

The project has made tremendous progress in ensuring that the two surviving wild populations of native white-clawed crayfish in Devon are saved from extinction. Crayfish have been rescued from two local rivers and have successfully bred in our on-site hatchery. These are then translocated under licence to safe release sites (known as ark sites) to safeguard the species survival in Devon. The project trains citizen science volunteers, raises awareness of the fragility of this protected species and the measures needed to safeguard its future and how the Wildwood Trust are leading conservation efforts in Devon. The project plays a key role in species recovery and future reintroductions.

Job Purpose

This role will take the lead in coordinating and delivering our engagement programme. It offers a varied workload including desk based project administration, hatchery operation, crayfish husbandry, delivering onsite education talks, offsite school engagement activities, a public engagement programme and assisting with crayfish surveys.

Key Responsibilities

Deliver and adapt the project’s school education and public engagement programme, including on site sessions with schools, public guided walks and events to raise awareness of white-clawed crayfish and the project.

Support the Hatchery Officer in running the crayfish hatchery, including husbandry and best-practice care, including weekend and holiday cover.

Engage with schools, community groups and project partners to plan and deliver public events, talks, and educational sessions.

Ensure risk assessments and risk management plans are in place for the school and public engagement elements of the project.

Complete project administration in a timely manner, working closely with the Conservation Manager to assist with writing NLHF grant claims and reports, planning regular project team meetings and quarterly steering group meetings.

Write regular project blogs and content for Wildwood’s social media accounts, newsletters and press releases.

Oversee the collection of scientific data to inform the projects activities and outcomes, including assisting with monitoring local populations which can help inform future recovery.

As directed by the Conservation Manager, provide details and reports for trustees, funders and licensing authorities and other stakeholders.

The Working Week

Your working week will be varied and busy, with no two days the same. Your main priority will be delivering the education and public engagement programmes and activities, engaging with local schools and community groups, sharing the project and inspiring the next generation of rewilders.

You will also assist with the daily running of the hatchery, working closely with the crayfish Hatchery Officer and crayfish specialist contractors. This includes comprehensive animal care, maintenance programmes that meet industry standards, and the daily maintenance of equipment, troubleshooting as necessary. Maintaining accurate records of husbandry, water quality and aquatic system maintenance is also vital.

Core working hours are 09:00 until 17:00 with an unpaid half an hour for lunch. This post is 37.5 hours per week over 5 days. Working days will need to be flexible on occasion to ensure operational continuity and attendance at public events.

The job will involve overtime, including some evening, weekend and bank holiday working as part of your normal duties. You may be required to occasionally travel between parks.

This job involves undertaking duties which include the following health, safety and wellbeing considerations:

Regular use of Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

Use of machinery / tools

Lone working

Pressure to meet key deadlines such as might be integral to high profile projects

Use of company vehicle – a full clean driving licence is required for this role holder as you will need travel to field sites and stakeholder meetings

Mandatory training for this role includes (delete as appropriate):

DBS check

Manual Handling

Equality & Diversity

Safeguarding Awareness

GDPR / Data Protection Awareness

Fire Safety Awareness

Ladder Safety

First Aid

Press & Media Training

Skills, Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience

All Wildwood staff are passionate, committed, and resourceful. To succeed in this specific role, you will be a practical team player, with a positive attitude and passion for the restoration of British Wildlife. This post will suit someone wishing to develop their career as a species reintroduction and translocation professional.

Essential

Confidence to carry out tasks independently, whilst also having the ability to work productively and successfully with a team.

Skilled at maintaining and developing positive relationships with project partners, schools and public stakeholders.

Experience of planning and delivering successful and inspiring education and public engagement activities.

Awareness of health and safety requirements and responsibilities including COSHH and track record of appropriate record keeping.

Excellent communication and organisational skills.

High attention to detail, excellent written English and report writing skills. Confident in the use of Microsoft Excel.

A sound understanding of ecology and conservation and an empathetic view of animal management.

Demonstrate a genuine love of British wildlife and belief in Wildwood’s Mission; to protect, conserve, and rewild British wildlife.

Desirable

A demonstrable passion for and ecological knowledge of British wildlife and its conservation.

Knowledge of aquatic life support and water quality monitoring systems

Experience of delivering curriculum based environmental education activities

Why work for Wildwood

Wildwood is a native species conservation charity established in 2002 to push the boundaries of innovative conservation and rewilding. We work with nature to fight the biodiversity crisis, to halt the extinction of species and to create resilient habitats in which nature thrives. We focus on nature-based solutions to return native species and recreating truly wild spaces.

Wildwood has a proud culture of respecting and valuing all colleagues. Our people are integral to our success; their expertise enables us to achieve our ambitions, their professionalism creates strong collaborations, and their integrity upholds our organisational values. We believe in Equal Opportunities and the benefits of a varied workteam.

Employment Package

Annual salary of £25,956

Annual leave allowance of 30 days a year, including statutory holidays.

Workplace pension (auto enrolled after three months)

Inclusive and family-friendly working policies

Training & development opportunities

Selection of staff benefits including discounts

Free or reduced price entry to BIAZA accredited zoos and aquariums