Field Surveyors - LandSpAES Project

Field Surveyors (LandSpAES Project) - England, Part time

£13.71 per hour (employed) or £19.47 per hour (self-employed).
Employed roles include an 11% employer pension contribution.

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is looking for two part-time Field Surveyors for the Winter survey season (1st November 2026 - 31st March 2027) to carry out National Character Assessments (NCAs) on farmland in two regions of England - Yorkshire Dales and the Fens. 

Field Surveyors (LandSpAES Project) - England, Part time
The roles (one per region) will involve wintering bird surveys in selected 1km squares. Surveyors will organise and undertake a programme of surveys over up to 36 days within November - March. The roles are best suited to someone living in or near the target regions and reasonable travel and subsistence costs will be paid. These roles will be line-managed by David Norfolk, BTO Senior Research Officer in the Terrestrial Ecology Team.

You must be familiar with bird species found in the English region concerned and have experience of structured bird surveys. A current UK driving licence and access to a private vehicle are both essential for these roles. Some fieldwork will need to be undertaken early or late in the day, at some remote locations and within some challenging terrain. As such, an ability and willingness to work flexibly, often at unsociable hours, and an appropriate level of fitness is essential. This is to work on the Landscape-scale species monitoring of agri-environment schemes project, a collaboration with the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) evaluating the responses of mobile biodiversity to agri-environment scheme management.

You can read the full role descriptions 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 you meet all the criteria for the role and would like to discuss the role in more detail.

Please note that, if you are the successful candidate, you will be required to provide documentary evidence of your right to live and work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

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 
★    £13.71 to £19.47 per hour

Applies to employed staff only:

★    Annual Leave: 25 days per year (plus bank holidays), increasing with service to 26 days after 5 years, 28 days after 10 years, and 30 days after 15 years (pro rata for part-time staff).
★    Paid 'journey days' (up to 2 days) to staff who travel on holiday by land or sea instead of flying.
★    Annual team away days
★    Life assurance (4x salary)
★    11% employer pension contribution
★    Employee Assistance Programme
★    Enhanced sick pay
★    Enhanced Family leave pay
★    Health cash plan
★    Retail discounts through MyLifestyle.
★    Cycling friendly employer- gold accredited
★    Cycle to work scheme
★    Free access to BTO training courses
★    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, Neurodiversity group, LGBTQ+ group and our staff group creating a positive and welcoming culture to work in.
★    Commitment to creating an inclusive environment
★    Commitment to sustainability

The closing date for receipt of applications is 23:59 Sunday 18th October and interviews will be held online on Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th October. 

Enquiries about LandSpAES Project (England) to David Norfolk or Gavin Siriwardena (BTO HQ, Thetford; david.norfolk@bto.org, gavin.siriwardena@bto.org).8

We recommend that once the closing date has passed, please keep an eye on your spam or junk folder and add no-reply@talosats.com to your safe senders list. If you are selected for interview, your invitation will be sent from this address, and we’d hate for you to miss it because it has found its way into your spam folder!

Interview invitations are usually sent at least 3 days before the scheduled interview date. In most cases, where we haven’t received a response to an interview invitation we will follow up with you, however, if we need to do this it may then reduce the amount of notice and preparation time available to you before your interview. Checking your inbox and spam/junk folder regularly will help make sure you have as much notice as possible. 

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.

In cases where we receive a very high volume of applications, we may need to limit the number of Guaranteed Interview Scheme candidates progressing to interview.

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