Denton Reserve is a large estate consisting of SSSI moorland, a variety of waterbodies, pastoral, woodland, and arable land. Our vision is to demonstrate how we can secure the future of the English countryside and address the biodiversity crisis through net zero nature recovery, sustainable food production, embracing natural flood management and enriching lives through enhancing access to the countryside.

 What we need:

We have already undertaken significant change on the estate, going from a traditional sheep and shooting model to a more ecologically focused model, encompassing everything from regenerative agriculture to bog restoration, rewilding and agroforestry.

We are looking for a full-time Ecologist with significant experienced in all aspects of ecology, including extensive survey and species identification skills. Someone ideally trained in botany, priority habitat types and protected species; familiar with concepts of Ecosystem Services, Natural Capital, Natural Flood Management and Nature Based Solutions who can produce and contribute to technical reports, Ecological Impact Assessments, Invasive Species, BNG assessments and other baseline assessments and monitoring of conservation and enhancement projects.

You will ideally have an interest and knowledge of upland ecosystems, food production and hydrology and you will further lead the overall approach to ecology at Denton Reserve, working in partnership with our Land Management team to take full ownership of ecological interventions and projects on the estate.

We would like someone with appropriate degree level qualification (or equivalent work experience) in an ecological or conservation or related field. Knowledge of GIS and Microsoft Office would be very useful as would knowledge of UK nature conservation legislation and planning processes.

The role is initially funded as a fixed term role until November 2025 to support our Defra funded Landscape Recovery Project, with a view to become permanent thereafter as we move into the 20-year implementation phase.

What you will be doing:

You will work primarily with our Estate Manager and Landscape Recovery Project Manager as well as other staff within the Land Management team. You’ll undertake both desk and site based ecological surveys and assessments all around the estate, including habitat and species surveys, impact assessments, licensing and mitigation requirements.

You will plan and implement baseline and monitoring programmes, with a significant part of the role being to contribute to the development of a long-term monitoring and evaluation plan that supports Denton Reserve’s 20-year Landscape Recovery Scheme implementation proposal.

You will need to contribute and work across any future grant funded conservation projects, understanding and advising on ecological survey requirements to design and deliver the best ecological outcomes. This may involve supporting the estate on any relevant applications to environmental schemes and compiling and applying for consents, permits and exemptions.

You will advise on pest species lifecycles to improve food production, monitor and engage with the beaver project, undertake deer surveys, undertake drone surveys and engage with internal and external audiences, including statutory authorities to build contacts, spread awareness and identify and cost new projects. You will also work closely with and advise BNG and green finance specialists regarding ecology on the estate.

You will become intrinsically involved in advising on the ecological impacts of other proposed commercial and ecological development projects across the estate, upskilling and educating the wider team and coordinating/attending relevant meetings and workshops to help build awareness and support. You will be strongly motivated and confident to hold Denton Reserve to account on the ecological impacts of all activities on the estate, particularly in relation to achieving our net-zero and biodiversity goals and aligning with our Landscape Recovery Scheme targets.

To apply:

• Send your CV and a brief cover note outlining why you would be a good fit and why the role excites you to bernie@dentonreserve.co.uk