The Seagrass Recovery Officer will work closely with colleagues from Project Seagrass and the Essex Wildlife Trust’s (EWT) Head of Marine & Coastal Recovery to plan, deliver and monitor the success of the seagrass lug transplants. This will involve practical, physical, on-the-ground activities on the intertidal and will require a thorough understanding of experimental design and seagrass monitoring techniques. Data analysis and interpretation, as well as regular monitoring and impact reporting for funders and internal reporting will be key. You will proactively collaborate, standardize approaches and share learnings with colleagues from the Zoological Society of London, who are also restoring seagrass as part of Transforming the Thames.
A key part of the role will involve recruiting and training a group of specialized volunteers to support restoration activities. The role holder will continue to build strong local community links, run appropriate events and engagement activities and be an advocate for intertidal seagrass in Essex and the Greater Thames Estuary. You will also collaborate with Marine & Coastal Recovery colleagues on existing seagrass pressures reduction work, which focuses on recreational activities, and be a champion for seagrass related communications activities and campaigns.
Key Tasks
- Act as the Essex Wildlife Trust lead on the delivery of Nanozostera noltii (dwarf eelgrass) plug transplant restoration trials at two sites in Essex as part of Transforming the Thames.
- Proactively work in collaboration with colleagues of our partner, Project Seagrass and colleagues from the wider Transforming the Thames
- Undertake on-the-ground plug transplanting of Nanozostera noltii from donor meadows to restoration sites.
- Deliver and coordinate a standardized seagrass monitoring programme (pre, during and post restoration, including the use of drone surveys as a monitoring tool) and adopt appropriate indicators and metrics to inform success of the restoration approaches, in collaboration with Transforming the Thames.
- Secure all necessary licenses and permissions to carry out restoration, research and monitoring activities.
- Procure and maintain the equipment needed.
- Manage budgets and provide regular budget reports, with support from the Head of Marine & Coastal Recovery.
- Recruit and train volunteers and citizen scientists to support active restoration activities.
- Provide reports and updates to Transforming the Thames project partners and funders as required and represent the Trust at partnership meetings as required.
- Act as the Trust’s seagrass specialist, being a first point of contact for queries and staying up-to-date with seagrass research and restoration techniques, including seed-based restoration.
- Lead the organization and delivery of the Essex Seagrass Specialist Forum meetings.
- Represent the Trust, the wider Wildlife Trusts and Transforming the Thames, and actively participate and share learnings at key meetings and conferences, including the Noltei Network and the Blackwater Partnership.
- Support the Marine & Coastal Engagement Officer to collaborate with local community groups and coastal water users to reduce pressures on Essex’s seagrass beds.
- In collaboration with the Trust’s Marine & Coastal Recovery team and the wider Transforming the Thames partnership, deliver informative and inspiring bespoke events and activities that inform and influence target internal and external audiences, both in-person and online.
- Be a spokesperson for the Trust’s marine and coastal recovery projects and activities and for Transforming the Thames, including collaborating with the Communications Team to create and deliver inspiring and engaging social media, print, radio and TV content.
- To carry out any other duties that are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the role and the contract of employment, as requested by the Head of Marine & Coastal Recovery.
Person Specification
- Demonstrable experience of planning and delivering marine habitat restoration projects and fieldwork.
- Relevant practical experience of active seagrass restoration (using plug transplants is desirable but not essential).
- Detailed knowledge and understanding seagrass habitats (specific knowledge of Nanozostera noltii is desirable).
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of Essex’s marine priority habitats and associated species and key marine issues.
- Demonstrable experience delivering a scientific conservation monitoring program.
- The ability to design and manage practical fieldwork days in the intertidal (previous experience of this is desirable).
- Demonstrable experience of undertaking risk assessments and managing risk when working on the coast.
- Demonstrable data management and statistical analysis skills using software, such as ArcGIS and R, as well as confidence using Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
- Experience of writing scientific reports and/or project review or funder reports.
- A confident networker with proven experience of positively working in Partnerships and with stakeholders.
- Experience of line management of staff or volunteers and very good interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrable ability to work as part of a close, multidisciplinary team.
- A confident problem solver with a capacity for innovation and a willingness to take on responsibility, use initiative and be adaptive; and the ability to work both individually and in an internal and external team environment.
- Excellent organizational skills, able to work under pressure and experience in managing multiple projects simultaneously, with delivery on time and within budget to meet deadlines.
- Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong attention to detail and the ability to communicate and influence a range of audiences in person, on social media and via written information.
- Full UK-valid driving license and use of a vehicle (Trust pool vehicles are available for work related activities).
- Physical ability to access sites and undertake site investigation with equipment.
- A passion for wildlife and conservation and an awareness of the key challenges facing conservation charities and the natural environment.
Salary: £29,900 Per Annum
Contract type: Fixed-term 36-month contract starting in January 2026
Application deadline: October 9, 2025
