29853 - Natural Capital Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) Program Terrestrial Invertebrate Specialist

We promote an inclusive culture and welcome all applicants including disabled, LGBT+ or Black, Asian and Minority Ethnicities. Are you looking for a new and exciting opportunity and have experience in aquatic and terrestrial entomology? If so, this role could be for you! The terrestrial Natural Capital Ecosystem Assessment (tNCEA) program is currently hiring for a lead specialist in terrestrial invertebrate monitoring to help shape the direction of NCEA invertebrate monitoring going forward. Context: Since monitoring began at NCEA Small Stream Network sites (SSN) in 2022, staff within Environment Agency Analysis and Reporting (A&R) teams have been retaining terrestrial invertebrate taxa found in samples for subsequent analysis. This has been with the ambition that speciation of these taxa will bolster our understanding of the species that are not primarily aquatic and found within the riparian corridors of our waterways, particularly our understanding of their reliance on watercourses and the interdependencies that exist between in-channel, marginal wetted, and terrestrial ecosystems. As terrestrial invertebrate identification currently falls outside the training expectation of A&R staff, many of these retained terrestrial taxa are yet to be identified. The role will therefore heavily centre around terrestrial species identification, with subsequent data analysis, and decision making by the successful candidate steering the project going forward. Data analysis will involve using existing biotic indices as well as exploring the development of new ones in collaboration with the tNCEA design team. If deemed there is merit in pursuing this line of the program further, the new terrestrial invertebrate specialist will develop the training plan needed to upskill the A&R community. Through species identification, data analysis, close work with the NCEA design team, and work with the wider EA science community, this role will progress decision making around the suitability of terrestrial taxa inclusion in routine macro-invertebrate monitoring. The team The post will work with the EA's tNCEA Operations Workstream team which is focussed on managing the implementation of 12 new monitoring networks, including the Small Streams Network. We have a strong team dynamic and believe in the development and support of our staff. The team work collaboratively with the wider Environment Agency and beyond and as such this is a great role to see the breadth of what the Environment Agency does.

This role requires extensive experience in the analysis of terrestrial invertebrate taxa (alongside knowledge of true aquatic invertebrate taxa), and a demonstratable aptitude for high quality data analysis and interpretation. Successful candidates will have:

• A relevant degree (i.e. Biology, Environmental Sciences, Ecology etc.).
• An eye for detail and the ability to produce accurate work.
• Good interpersonal, team working and communication skills.
• Good organisational and planning skills and the ability to work to deadlines under pressure.
• Competent in written English and basic numeracy.