Botanical Field Surveyors

5 x 4 months fixed term appointments – with full time hours (37 hours per year) during survey season. Start date 12th May 2025 working until early September 2025. Work starts with a 1-week structured training course at Wallingford UKCEH, Oxfordshire, which is essential for all surveyors to attend.

-We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we find the right candidates. You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Botanical Field Surveyors, 5 positions

Salary £30684 - £32,563 (pro-rated for part year working)

Start date 12th May 2025

UKCEH is looking for experienced Field Botanists / Botanical surveyors to join our team of talented individuals, contributing to scientific discovery and generating the data, insights and solutions that researchers, businesses and governments need to solve complex problems.

Working at UKCEH is rewarding. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.

For those choosing to be employed via Hays, you will get :
- Access to free training courses
- Wellbeing support and career advice

We are looking to recruit 5 botanists or field surveyors to be part of a national survey team working across England. The roles are full-time between May – early September for the survey season in 2025. You may be employed through our recruitment agency, Hays, or self-employed. Please see guidance at the bottom of the advert regarding sole trader recruitment options.

Your botanical / ecological expertise will be used to collect field data for a high-profile project monitoring biodiversity at landscape-scales (https://www.ceh.ac.uk/our-science/projects/landspaes), which provides evidence to Defra and Natural England to inform policy. This project is funded by Natural England, and conducted by UKCEH.

Most of the work will be based across England and requires a flexible approach to travel and locations, and staying away in temporary accommodation close to field sites. Work starts with a 1-week structured training course from 12th May at Wallingford UKCEH, Oxfordshire, which is essential for all surveyors to attend.

Your main responsibilities will include:
•    Accurately recording botanical and habitat data in the field, following scientific protocols.
•    Accurate and reliable inputting of data using data capture software and mapping tools provided by UKCEH.
•    Liaising with landowners, other field surveyors and the survey management team.
•    The position will involve a significant amount of outdoor work, in all weathers and in remote locations. Successful candidates must be willing to work flexible hours as needed.
•    Taking responsibility for the security of field and personal data .
•    Taking responsibility for personal and team health and safety

Essential skills and experience required:
•    Botanical survey skills across a range of habitats (equivalent to FISC level 4 or higher).
•    Recognising broad and priority habitats.
•    Highly practical with strong communication and team-working skills.
•    Ability to work independently, show initiative and manage own time effectively.
•    A full driving licence is essential – please confirm on your CV
•    IT literate, able to learn new software skills for data recording in the field.
•    A flexible approach to travel during the week, and willingness to be away from home overnight for extended periods while surveying across England. 
•    A good level of physical fitness to work outdoors and carry field survey kit on uneven / rugged and varied terrain, in often remote locations.

Desirable skills
•    Previous experience of ecological surveying.
•    Experience of using GIS / mapping software and data capture software in the field.
•    Outdoor First Aid valid certificate  .
•    Off-road (4×4) driving experience

Interview process
If shortlisted, the interview will include a 40-minute plant ID exercise.

If we’ve just described you, we’d love to meet. Please send us your CV with a short cover letter highlighting why you think your skills and experience are suited to this role.

**Important**
Please clarify your preference for being employed under a contract of services agreement via Hays PLC or the self-employed contractor route, see below for more details:
To be considered for the self-employed route, you need to be operating outside of IR35 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-employment-status-for-tax).

If you wish to work for UKCEH under a contract of services agreement via Hays PLC (Company Number 02150950), you will be paid weekly by Hays PLC by submitting a timesheet to your UKCEH Line Manager.