Graduate Biodiversity Intern – AES

INTERNSHIP ROLE DESCRIPTION

Role:                           Graduate Biodiversity Intern - AES

Salary:                        £19,520 gross per annum and access to pension scheme.

Location:                   AES Offices in Kilroot, Kilroot Power Station, Larne Rd, Carrickfergus BT38 7LX

Contract:                    12 month, fixed-term internship.  This post is subject to a 6-month probationary period.

Hours:                        37.5 hours per week to include limited weekends and evenings.

Leave:                         24 days per annum plus 12 days statutory holidays.

Reporting to:             Ulster Wildlife – Operations Director – with supervision from AES Staff

Pre-employment

Checks:                      N/A. 

Responsible for:       No supervisory responsibilities

The intern will be employed by Ulster Wildlife, and will work closely with AES and Ulster Wildlife staff to audit, plan and take action for biodiversity on AES land holdings in NI and within the communities close to AES sites. They will support AES in the integration of biodiversity awareness within their landholdings, staff culture and governance structures. The Intern will also spend significant time delivering environmental education initiatives with Primary and Secondary Schools in the vicinity of AES sites.  This is an exciting opportunity that will help drive innovation and act as an example of best practice in cross-sectoral partnership working.

The intern will also have the opportunity to take part in training initiatives being run by both Ulster Wildlife and AES.

The post holder will be responsible for:

• Maintaining and reviewing biodiversity audits for Kilroot and Ballylumford sites
• Carrying out / support annual species monitoring activities
• Developing and agreeing an employee engagement plan
• Implementing Biodiversity Action Plan on AES land holdings and in the surrounding community
• Engaging the local community, particularly schools and young people in biodiversity through the ‘Energy in Nature’ and ‘Environmental Leadership Programmes’.

TASKS AND MAIN DUTIES OF THE POST

1)    Biodiversity Audits and Action Plans

• Lead on the undertaking of biodiversity audits in the Kilroot and Ballylumford land holdings -including carrying out species and habitat monitoring activities with support from Ulster Wildlife staff and volunteers.
• Work with Ulster Wildlife and AES staff to implement the Biodiversity Action Plan for each site

2)    Stakeholder engagement

• Establish a baseline on biodiversity and environmental awareness among employees
• Set up and provide secretariat for a green team within AES to support the officer in driving forward environmental programme
• Provide opportunities for AES employees to get involved with wildlife in their local grounds and within their local area
• Ensure that all employees are provided opportunities to raise their environmental awareness
• To provide reports to AES and Ulster Wildlife management as required

3)    Community engagement and outreach

• Deliver the ‘Energy in Nature’ Programme with primary schools local to AES sites
• Deliver the ‘Environmental Leadership’ Programme with Secondary Schools close to AES sites
• Develop and strengthen connections between AES / Ulster Wildlife and key members of local communities

4)    Policy and Procedure Reviews

• Review policies and ensure that they are sustainable and create/review environmental policies
• Working with Ulster Wildlife staff, provide ecological advice on significant projects in local area and mitigate impacts to wildlife

5)    Personal development

• Take part in a range of training and development initiatives being run by Ulster Wildlife and AES
• Completion of internship case-study either in written, photographic or video format.

ORGANISATION-WIDE RESPONSIBILITIES OF POST

While every member of staff has their own specific tasks and duties to perform on a day to day basis, there are also a number of additional areas of work that you will be expected to take part in for the overall development and delivery of the organisation’s aims.  These include:-

1)    Strategy

• Participation in the development and implementation of Ulster Wildlife and AES’s overall strategy and operational plans

2)    Development

• Play an proactive and positive role in Ulster Wildlife and AES’s teams
• Assist with public events and fundraising activities as required

3)    Policy and Compliance

• Adhere to the policies and practices of Ulster Wildlife and AES at all times and to respect the policies and practices of project partners.

4)    Learning and Development

• Identify and implement L&D plans and attend training as required
• Co-operate with and support volunteers.
• Participate in staff meetings.

5)    Internal & External Communications

• Ensure that contact with others is of a style and quality consistent with Ulster Wildlife and AES’s ethos.
• Respond to internal and external requests for advice and information

No job description can cover every issue which may arise and subsequently the post-holder may be expected to carry out other duties broadly consistent with those itemised above.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Criteria

1)    A degree at 2:1 or above in a relevant subject, e.g. Ecology, Biology, Environmental Science.

2)    A broad knowledge of ecology and environmental issues in Northern Ireland, Ireland and the UK.

3)    Experience of biological monitoring and surveying.

4)    An ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbally – effective presentation skills, report-writing skills, letter-writing skills and the ability to converse with a diverse range of people at all levels.

5)    Effective organisational skills to include the ability to manage and prioritise workloads, meet deadlines, and organise meetings.

6)    Proven team player with positive ‘can-do’ attitude, with the ability to demonstrate a collaborative approach and promote partnership working.

7)    Ability to work under pressure and be comfortable with working to deadlines.

8)    Excellent IT skills particularly in the use of the internet as well as standard office IT packages e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.

9)    The ability to commit to the full 12 month programme.

10) Access to transport for business purposes which will enable the fulfilment of the requirements of the post.

Desirable Criteria

1)    Experience of implementing health and safety policies and procedures.

2)    Experience of working with school children or delivering education sessions.

3)    Experience of working with volunteers

4)    Experience in the use of GIS Software

Application guidelines and application form can be found at www.ulsterwildlife.org/jobs

Closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 5 June 17