About Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust is an independent environmental charity dedicated to restoring and protecting the rivers of the Bristol Avon catchment for people and wildlife.
We work across urban and rural landscapes to deliver practical river restoration, natural flood management, climate resilience, biodiversity recovery and community engagement projects at a catchment scale. Our work ranges from removing barriers to fish migration and restoring river habitat, through to supporting regenerative farming, creating wetlands and woodlands, and engaging communities in citizen science and environmental action.
We are a practical, ambitious and collaborative organisation that believes healthy rivers are essential for thriving communities, resilient landscapes and nature recovery.
Our work is organised across a number of strategic themes (more information included in the Trust’s 5 Year Strategy: https://bristolavonriverstrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/BART-5-year-strategy-simple-navigation.pdf
Understanding our Rivers
Monitoring water quality, habitat quality alongside ecology
Undertaking walkover and ground truthing surveys to identify challenges and opportunities
Engaging communities and landowners to gain local knowledge
Restoring our Rivers
Delivering river restoration and fish passage projects
Re-naturalising rivers and reconnecting floodplains
Improving water quality and habitat resilience
Recovering our Landscapes
Delivering nature-based solutions and natural flood management
Supporting regenerative agriculture and farm clusters
Creating wetlands, riparian woodlands and habitat mosaics
Empowering Communities
Delivering citizen science and river engagement programmes
Supporting volunteers and local partnerships
Inspiring the next generation of river guardians
Role Summary
Job Title: Catchment Restoration Officer
Location: Hybrid working – home based with regular travel across the Bristol Avon catchment and attendance at BART office (central Bristol) and multiple project locations.
Reports to: Catchment Restoration Project Manager
Salary: £29,000 – £32,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Arrangements
Full-time role (37.5 hours per week) with flexible working arrangements.
Benefits
25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and additional Christmas close period
9% Employer pension contribution
Flexible and hybrid working
Training and professional development opportunities
Mileage reimbursement for work travel
A supportive and passionate team environment
Overall Purpose of the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join Bristol Avon Rivers Trust and lead the development and delivery of ambitious river restoration and nature recovery projects across the Bristol Avon catchment.
The Catchment Restoration Officer will play a central role in planning and delivering practical habitat restoration and natural flood management initiatives, working closely with landowners, farmers, local authorities, regulators, contractors and community partners.
Projects may include:
River restoration and re-naturalisation
Fish passage and barrier easement projects
Wetland and floodplain creation
Natural flood management measures
Woodland and riparian habitat creation
Catchment resilience and climate adaptation projects
You will be expected to work collaboratively across the team and partnerships to identify opportunities, develop projects, secure permissions and oversee delivery on the ground.
This role would suit someone who is passionate about rivers and landscapes, enjoys practical project delivery and relationship building, and wants to help shape the future of catchment restoration across the region.
Key Responsibilities
Project Development & Delivery
Lead the development and delivery of catchment restoration projects from concept through to implementation
Undertake site visits and identify opportunities for river and habitat enhancement
Develop practical restoration plans and project specifications
Procure and manage contractors and consultants
Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time and within budget
Support project monitoring, reporting and evaluation
Landowner & Stakeholder Engagement
Build strong working relationships with landowners, farmers and partner organisations
Provide informed advice on river restoration and nature-based solutions
Facilitate collaborative approaches to catchment-scale delivery
Represent BART at meetings, workshops and events
Partnership Working
Work collaboratively with local authorities, the Environment Agency, Natural England, water companies and environmental partners
Support wider catchment partnerships and strategic programmes
Contribute to funding development and partnership opportunities
Technical & Operational
Support GIS mapping, habitat assessments and project planning
Lead on obtaining permissions and consenting processes
Maintain accurate project records and reporting information
Oversee contractors undertaking work
Lead the installation of river restoration and Natural Flood Management interventions
Manage health and safety compliance across project delivery
Person Specification
Essential Skills & Experience
Experience delivering river, environmental or habitat restoration projects
Strong understanding of river and catchment processes
Experience working with landowners and external stakeholders
Excellent organisational and communication skills
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
Experience managing contractors and project budgets
Competent in Microsoft Office and digital mapping tools
Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly
Desirable Skills & Experience
Experience in river restoration or natural flood management
Knowledge of UK environmental legislation and consenting
Experience securing EA and local authority permits to undertake works
GIS experience
Experience developing funding applications or reporting to funders
Practical fieldwork and survey experience
Understanding of agricultural land management systems
Who We’re Looking For
We are looking for someone who:
Is passionate about restoring rivers and landscapes
Is practical, proactive and solutions-focused
Enjoys working collaboratively with a wide range of people
Is comfortable working both independently and within a team
Wants to make a tangible difference for nature and communities
Thrives in a dynamic and evolving organisation
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.
We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and communities, particularly those currently underrepresented within the environmental sector.
Further Information
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Lana Harding at:
Email: [email protected]
To learn more about our work, visit:
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust Website
We look forward to hearing from candidates who want to help shape a healthier, more resilient future for the Bristol Avon catchment.
