Woodland Creation Officer Role Opportunity:Working Together to Improve Our RiversWHO WE ARE

Ribble Rivers Trust (RRT) is a regional charity established in 1998 to conserve the Ribble Catchment,
particularly its rivers, brooks, becks, and streams. Over the last 10 years, RRT has developed and grown into
a sector-leading organisation, known for getting things done, strong partnership working and a
collaborative approach.

Rivers are the heart of the natural world, and the heart of everything that we do. For over two decades our
dedicated team has been using its vast knowledge of the local area, and the natural world, to improve our
catchment containing over 3,000 miles of watercourses across Lancashire and North Yorkshire.

We are a group of 29 dedicated and passionate people, working across 5 five teams focusing on Data and
Evidence, Land Management, People and Learning, River Conservation and Core Services. Every team
member is empowered to achieve their best.

Our teams work together on projects to improve, protect and create a mosaic of habitats and land uses that
will lead to a healthy river environment. This is underpinned by a science-driven approach that helps us to
focus on areas that have the greatest issues and could benefit the most from our efforts.

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OUR APPROACH

WATER QUALITY

WATER QUANTITY

HABITAT QUALITY

HABITAT CONNECTIVITY

Water quality is extremely
complex. To put it simply,
we focus on creating and
sustaining clean, stable, and
unpolluted rivers.

Water quantity refers to a
sufficiency of water flowing
naturally, without extremes of
damaging flooding or drought.

Quality habitats have variety
and abundant wildlife. They
are free from pollution,
protected from issues, and
functioning naturally.

Connected habitats are
stronger and more resilient.
Wildlife can move freely to
meet their needs at different
stages of their lifecycle.

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Our approach to river conservation can be summarised as four inter-connected themes: water quality, water quantity,habitat quality, and habitat connectivity. These themes are interlinking and provide the foundation of a healthy riversystem and well-functioning ecosystems.OUR APPROACH

Each of these activities has a straightforward link to river conservation,
but also to each other. Our farm advice team often finds leads for our
woodland creation team, who might ask our data, evidence, and
monitoring team to survey the area before we commence project
development.

Focussing on these activities enables us to ensure all the work we
undertake serves a purpose and contributes to our goal of healthy rivers.
Plus, we know that all our projects are necessary and relevant to our aim
of protecting the Ribble catchment for wildlife and people.

As a data and evidence led organisation, everything we do is backed up by science. From identifying opportunities, to collecting evidence, to
showing the project is needed, to monitoring success, data and evidence is the thread that runs through all our river conservation projects.
From the very start to the very end. You might be wondering why we use so much data and evidence, and there are many reasons, but it all
boils down to the fact that data and evidence makes sure that we deliver the maximum benefit for wildlife and people, every time.

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WHAT WE OFFER

Hybrid Working Environment
3 days a week at RRT’s offices (Tuesday - Thursday), with the option to work 2 days a week from home
(Monday and Friday) subject to operational requirements
Core Hours
We operate core hours of 10:00 - 16:00, and remaining contracted hours can be undertaken flexibly, as well
as a TOIL policy if extended working is required
Stakeholder Pension Scheme
Following a probationary period, we offer entry into our Stakeholder Pension Scheme
Annual Leave
25 days of annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising by 1 day for each year’s service to a maximum of 30 days
total
Professional Development
Opportunities for growth and learning through internal and external training
Travel Expenses
45p per mile for work travel from place of work to site
Regular team away days and social activities

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WHAT WE NEED

in 2020 the Trust launched a decade long campaign, Lancashire Woodland Connect, to deliver 500 Ha. of
new woodland by 2030 in targeted locations that will improve the rivers of the catchment, seeking to
restore and improve ecosystem functions (including woodland networks) that will provide ecological and
socio-economic benefits.

As such, the Trust is looking to recruit a competent, organised, and enthusiastic person with a passion for
woodlands and rivers. The successful candidate will join a vibrant and talented team of 29, delivering a
diverse portfolio of projects improving rivers in the Ribble Catchment. Specifically, the role will be working
within the Land Management team to achieve the aims of the Lancashire Woodland Connect campaign and
related projects. As such this person should have experience in woodland (including riparian) creation
development and delivery, from approaching landowners, to supervising contractors.

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THE ROLE

JOB TITLE
PURPOSE

LOCATION
HOURS
SALARY
CONTRACT

Woodland Creation Officer
To work collaboratively to enable the creation of targeted woodlands that
improve the Ribble catchment
Clitheroe
Full-time | 37.5 hours per week
£27,500 - £33,500p.a. dependant on experience
24 months (with possibility of extension, subject to funding)

The role requires a confident and clear communicator with experience in engaging and working with
farmers, landowners, partners, contractors, and volunteers, as well as a proven track record in practical
woodland project delivery. The successful candidate will have knowledge of woodland ecology,
landscape-scale conservation, Natural Capital, and ecosystem services. It is desirable that the candidate
has a good understanding of the Water Framework Directive and Catchment Management. Knowledge of
agriculture and wider land management would also be beneficial.

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Woodland Creation Officer will report to the Head of Land Management and will develop and deliver woodland creation projects. Duties will include:

Contacting, visiting, and working with landowners
Consulting with partners
Woodland design
Assisting with applications for consents and permissions (e.g. Environment Agency permits, landowner legal agreements)
Assisting the procurement of works and services
Supervising contractors
Liaising and co-ordinating with the Volunteer Supervisors to support volunteer-led woodland creation
Communicating with other team members
Site visits and surveys, monitoring progress, keeping records, and reporting
Assisting with reports and maintaining records in line with funder requirements
Working with colleagues to ensure costs align with budgets
Supporting wider Trust engagement with local communities
Identifying and applying for woodland creation funding, including Forestry Commission schemes.
Developing and maintaining partnerships with key stakeholders
Contributing to publicity and marketing materials
Carrying out any other reasonable duties required by RRT

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PERSONAL DESCRIPTION

ESSENTIAL

Valid driving licence and own car (insured for business use)
Degree or equivalent related experience in a relevant environmental field
Knowledge of UK woodland ecology and ecosystems
Understanding  of  woodlands  /  river  interactions  and  their  role  in  river
restoration
Experience in woodland creation design
Experience working with contractors
Proven project delivery experience, including reporting
Basic Geographical Information System (GIS) skills and a willingness to learn
more
Ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently
Strong presentation and communication skills
Good interpersonal skills (including face-to-face and over the phone)
Ability to work collaboratively

Reliability and work performance
Ability to set and achieve performance objectives
Excellent organisational / admin skills and attention to detail including:

Good IT skills and file management
Keeping accurate records
Respecting confidentiality and GDPR regulations

DESIRABLE

Knowledge of agri-environment schemes, especially woodland creation
Experience of developing and delivering volunteer events
Understanding of catchment processes
Knowledge of the project area
Based in or near the project area

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The successful candidate will be highly self-motivated, an effective communicator and  passionate about improving the environment, particularly woodlandsand rivers. Knowledge of the Ribble Catchment would be beneficial.
TO APPLY

OUR VALUES

Please visit https://ribbletrust.org.uk/job-vacancies/ for
more information about our application process, and send a
completed application form to admin@ribbletrust.com by
28  January 2026.

th

Interviews will take place during the week commencing
Monday 9 February. If shortlisted, you will be given a task
to complete beforehand, which will form part of the
interview. For selected candidates, there will be a second
interview later in February, during which you will meet
members of the Land Management team.

Please note we will not be accepting CV applications for
this role.

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PositivityWe stay hopeful and forward-looking, even when the challenges arecomplex. We celebrate progress and lift each other up so that we can allapproach our work with energy and optimism.ActionWe are doers. We turn data into decisions, and ideas into action. We takeresponsibility and move forward with purpose to deliver on our promisesand make things happen.CollaborationWe achieve more together. We listen generously and communicate openly.We build trust-based relationships within our team, with partners, and withthe communities we serve.We stay curious and open to new ideas. We embrace change, seek betterways to do things, and champion creativity- from scientific methods tocommunity engagement.InnovationWe believe in the power of diversity- of ecosystems, of knowledge, ofpeople, and of impact. We bring together different perspectives to createmore resilient and inclusive solutions.MultiplicityWe act with integrity, transparency to build confidence through opennessand respect. We are honest, dependable, and consistent- in science, inpractice, and in how we treat each other.Trust