Supporter Development Officer (Garden BirdWatch)

Role Overview

We are looking for an individual to help us increase participation in and engagement with our
weekly BTO Garden BirdWatch survey, a citizen science project that tells us how birds and other
species use our gardens. The role involves recruiting new participants, supporting and engaging
those already taking part, and the curation, management and analysis of the data collected,
both for Garden BirdWatch and a suite of related projects.

The successful applicant will:

• be qualified to degree level or above in a biological science;
• be able to demonstrate a broad and sound knowledge of UK garden birds and
  other wildlife, including good identification skills, allowing them to present BTO work to
  informed audiences, and to answer questions from the public on garden wildlife.
• have excellent interpersonal skills, enabling them to communicate
  effectively with the public face-to-face, over the phone, and through use of the written word,
  and including giving talks to large groups;
• be able to demonstrate intermediate data handling skills and
  experience working with large ecological datasets;
• be expected to learn basic use of R to run data processing programs,
  and SQL to interrogate an Oracle database;
• have an excellent understanding of biological survey data, and the ability
  to assimilate scientific ideas and deliver them to a wide audience.
• the computing skills required to produce e-newsletters, web content, social
  media and PowerPoint presentations.

This position is based at our HQ in Thetford, Norfolk. We operate hybrid working (minimum of
three days in the office each week), and flexible start and finish times to enable a flexible
work-life balance.

You can read the full role description by clicking on the role description under
‘supporting documents’ in the job details on our careers page. Please contact us if
you are not sure if you meet all the criteria for the role and would like to discuss the role
in more detail.

WHAT DOES BTO DO? 

BTO helps to secure the future for birds and nature, using our science, monitoring and data to
inform good environmental decisions, inspiring others with the wonder of birds and empowering
them to work with us. Our priority is to make a positive impact for birds, using our strong and
objective science in partnership with others. We strive to work sustainably and to welcome
everyone.

Our values 

We are evidence-led, inclusive, collaborative and empowering.

Birds Science People; it is a powerful combination – will you be part of it?

WHAT WE OFFER

• £30,444 per annum
• Annual leave entitlement on starting is 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata if part time).
• Paid ‘journey days’ (up to 2 days) to staff who travel on holiday by land or sea instead of
  flying.
• Life assurance (four times salary)
• 11% employer pension contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme offering help and advice to staff and their families on matters
  related to bereavement, wellbeing, finances, relationships, family and more. This includes a
  number of free counselling sessions if they are needed.
• Enhanced sick pay
•  Enhanced Family leave- Maternity, Adoption, and Shared Parental Leave, 12 weeks at full pay.
  Paternity and Partner leave, 4 weeks at full pay.
• Retail discounts
• Cycle to work scheme- spread the cost of purchasing a new bike and save money
• Discounts on: BTO books, Bird care from Vine House
  Farm (10% discount on orders placed on the website) and Opticron (30% off)
• Free access to BTO
  training courses
  
• Flexible working- A combination of home and office working and flexible start and finish
  times (where this meets business needs)
• Free eye tests and a contribution of £49 towards prescription glasses for VDU use only.
• Free car parking
• Effective job evaluation policy that recognises where staff increase their level of
  responsibility over time
• Coaching and mentoring scheme
• Staff groups and forums- First Aiders and mental health first aiders, Coaching and mentoring,
  Diversity working, Sustainability and Natural Working, Becoming Inclusive, and our staff group
  creating a positive and welcoming culture to work in.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive environment
• Commitment to sustainability

Closing date for receipt of applications is noon on Monday 3 June 2024 and
Interviews will be held in Thetford, Norfolk on Wednesday 12 June 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

If you have a disability or long-term illness that otherwise prevents you from meeting
any of the essential criteria, please contact us to discuss whether a reasonable adjustment
could be made.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled
applicants who meet the essential criteria for the vacancy.

We recognise that candidates from minority ethnic groups are under-represented in our
organisation, and that there are often additional barriers present for people from these groups
when applying for roles in the charity sector and beyond. We are committed to taking positive
action to expand the diversity of our staff team, and if you meet the essential criteria for a
role and are from a minority ethnic background, you’ll be guaranteed a first stage
interview.

Charity No. 216652 (E&W); SC039193 (Scotland)