The role

As our new Assistant GIS Officer, you will be supporting the streamlining of spatial data and
data processing. You will play a pivotal role in helping to process spatial data to feed into
statistical modelling, as well as processing and extracting data from the spatial model outputs
to use operationally and incorporate into applications and reports submitted to our regulator
(Natural England). You will provide additional support to the wider GIS team on a range of
matters. You will have the opportunity to influence decision making through the development of
data insights and to build your skills in data processing.

The successful candidate will sit within our Data Team which undertakes a variety of work,
including reporting, data management, contract management, data analysis and data
visualisation. You will work closely with our in-house GIS and statistical modelling
specialists, who focus on the creation of the underlying mechanisms that allow the scheme to
operate and... the evaluation of the scheme from a conservation perspective. You will also work
across the company to support other strands of the business to extract data for dissemination
and inclusion in reports where needed. Outside of your key responsibilities there will be scope
to broaden your experience in your areas of personal interest.

The role would suit an ambitious early-career graduate or someone seeking a career transition
into a data analysis role. The ideal candidate will be highly numeric with excellent attention
to detail and a passion for using spatial analysis to help create positive conservation gains.

Duration: Full time (40hrs/wk), 1-year Fixed Term Contract with possibility of
extension. Part-time or job share would be considered for the right candidate(s).

Background

Great crested newts have declined dramatically in the UK over the last 50 years and although
still widespread across lowland England they are no longer common. Despite protection under UK
and European wildlife law, numbers are still declining, and habitat loss is their biggest
threat.

In 2018 the NatureSpace District Licensing Scheme was launched – set up in partnership with
national freshwater and amphibian NGOs as well as seven local planning authorities across the
South Midlands. Since then, the scheme has expanded nationally and now covers more than 50
local planning authorities across Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex,
Gloucestershire, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire and Surrey.

The scheme allows planning authorities to authorise (under strictly defined terms) activities
which affect newts at the same time as they grant planning permission. The District Licensing
Scheme has significant advantages for newt conservation and wider biodiversity benefits through
a fully funded region-wide conservation strategy that creates high-quality habitat at a
landscape scale and delivers long-term management and monitoring for newts. The scheme benefits
developers because the licensing process for great crested newts is simplified and streamlined.

NatureSpace also work with national infrastructure providers, such as Network Rail, to help
them secure and deliver 'Organisational Licences' for protected species with the same
conservation deliverables. The schemes are administered by NatureSpace, are regulated, and
approved, by Natural England and are supported by the country’s leading amphibian and
freshwater NGOs – the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust and Freshwater Habitats Trust.

NatureSpace relies on evidence-based decision making and uses data to lead and support all its
activities. The Assistant GIS Officer will be joining a dynamic team which works across the
organisation supporting the activities of the company.

Key responsibilities – the Assistant GIS Officer will:
• Work closely with the Scientific Lead, Statistical Modeller and Senior GIS Specialist to
support the ongoing spatial analysis linked to scheme expansion, renewal and evaluation.
• Process environmental data into formats that can be included within statistical modelling.
• Process species distribution modelling output into operationally usable formats.
• Extract data from model outputs and other spatial data sets for inclusion in high level
predictions.
• Support the organisations use of spatial data to improve performance internally.
• Assist with the production of accurate new and renewed licence applications to the
regulator.
• Assist with the production of accurate scheme evaluation outputs and reports to project
partners, the company board, the regulator, and other stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Collate, process and present data in an appropriate format for different audiences.
• Respond efficiently to requests from other teams and external stakeholders.

Essential skills, knowledge, and experience:
• A relevant qualification in an environmental or data science sector, or other related
discipline, or the ability to demonstrate work-related experience.
• Experience of working with data sets (environmental and geospatial data would be an
advantage).
• Competent in the use of Microsoft packages such as Excel and Word.
• Experience in using GIS packages such as ArcMap or QGIS.
• Demonstrable traits in attention to detail and conscientiousness.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly when explaining numerical
data.
• Self-motivated and independent – able to work flexibly with minimal supervision.

Desirable skills, knowledge, and experience:
• Enthusiasm for and knowledge of wildlife conservation issues.
• Experience of working in deadline-driven work environments.
• A basic knowledge of data management.
• Experience of analysing quantitative and qualitative data.
• Familiarity with coding language such as R, Python or SQL, would be beneficial but not
essential.

Company culture, employment benefits and location:

NatureSpace Partnership is a small (c.40 staff) but busy and rapidly growing company. Being a
small organisation, everyone has a big say in what we do and how we do it. Our agility and size
mean that your voice will be heard, and you will have the opportunity to directly see the
results of your work.

Work/life balance is important to us. We actively support flexible working arrangement so that
our work fits in with our lives and we are open to exploring how this role could best work for
you.

The successful candidate/s will be joining a friendly, close-working team of home-workers and
will have responsibility for managing their workload and working independently as part of a
dispersed national team. The post requires high levels of motivation and high standards of
self-management. Location is entirely flexible within the UK - this post will be mainly
desk-based but some travelling to meetings may be required.

We offer a significant benefits package for all staff including flexible working with time off
in lieu (TOIL) or overtime pay (in agreement with your line manager), 25 days annual leave
(plus bank holidays, weekday birthdays and additional holiday over the Christmas period), an
annual performance bonus of up to 20% of your pay, company pension contributions and company
private health and life insurance.

Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in the UK.

How to apply: Send your CV and a covering letter to [email protected] by 9am on Monday 22nd May 2023.

Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday 22nd May 2023.

Interview dates: You will be notified by Monday 29th May if you have been
selected for interview. Interviews are likely to be held week commencing 5th June 2023.

Expected start date: 3rd July 2023
United Kingdom

Salary Criteria