Senior Project Officers Conservation & Community Projects (2 Posts)
Location: Two posts available:
- 1 x Coleraine
- 1 x Co Armagh / South Down: Home-based, with travel for practical project delivery, centred on Portadown.
Salary: £25,477 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Both roles offer the chance to bring people together to improve local green spaces. In Coleraine, this includes caring for habitats through work funded by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). The Co Armagh / South Down role combines community projects supported by the Public Health Agency and NIEA with paid conservation services for landowners and communities, alongside the PEACEPLUS-funded Bloom and Branch project in the Newry, Mourne and Down Council area.
About the Organisation
Charity Jobs NI is delighted to be supporting The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) in the recruitment of two Senior Project Officers to help protect local environments and connect communities with nature.
Since 1959, TCV has brought people together to create, improve and care for green spaces across the UK. Its work supports nature, strengthens communities and improves health and wellbeing through practical volunteering and conservation activities.
The Roles
These opportunities will suit people with practical experience in conservation, horticulture, landscaping or environmental work who enjoy supporting others and seeing the results of their work outdoors.
Both posts involve planning and delivering practical projects, leading volunteers and building relationships with local communities and partner organisations. The successful candidates will combine practical skills with the ability to organise activities, manage resources and provide a safe, welcoming volunteering experience.
One role is based in Coleraine and the other covers Co Armagh / South Down, each with its own mix of local projects:
Coleraine
This post focuses on leading volunteers in practical conservation activities, including tree planting, pond construction, woodland management, invasive species control and path construction. It also involves habitat management across nature reserves and country parks, developing projects with schools, community groups and landowners, and generating income through project delivery.
Co Armagh / South Down
This post focuses on community conservation, horticulture and activities that improve health and wellbeing through nature. Work includes Green Gym sessions, practical habitat management and the Bloom and Branch project, with delivery across the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, Mid-Ulster, and Newry, Mourne and Down council areas.
The post is home-based, with travel for practical project delivery, centred on Portadown.
These opportunities may appeal to candidates with experience as a Conservation Officer, Environmental Project Officer, Horticulture Project Officer, Community Project Officer, Countryside Ranger or Volunteer Co-ordinator.
Key Responsibilities
Across both posts, responsibilities include:
- Plan and deliver practical conservation and community projects to agreed standards, timescales and budgets.
- Lead volunteers, providing guidance, support and practical training.
- Build relationships with community groups, landowners, partners and funders.
- Promote TCVs work, recruit volunteers and identify opportunities for new projects and income.
- Manage project resources and oversee the safe use and maintenance of tools and equipment.
- Complete risk assessments and uphold health and safety and safeguarding requirements.
- Maintain accurate project and volunteer records, monitor outcomes and prepare reports.
About You
TCV is looking for practical, organised people who can motivate volunteers and help communities improve their local environment.
Essential Criteria
Applicants should bring:
- A good general standard of education, typically including GCSE passes in English and Maths, or equivalent qualifications or equivalent relevant experience.
- Relevant experience in practical environmental work, horticulture or, for the Coleraine post, landscaping.
- Experience of co-ordinating volunteers and providing guidance to help them complete activities.
- Experience of planning and delivering practical projects or services.
- The ability to organise people, manage project budgets and use resources effectively.
- An understanding of safe working practices and the use of relevant tools and equipment.
- Good communication and relationship-building skills.
- The ability to maintain records, use IT systems and report on project progress.
- An interest in conservation, community involvement, health and wellbeing, and the work of the charity sector.
- A full, clean or near-clean UK driving licence held for at least one year.
- A First Aid at Work certificate, or willingness to undertake the training.
Desirable Criteria
An NVQ Level 3, equivalent qualification or equivalent relevant experience would be beneficial. Additional qualifications or training specifically related to the project work, including relevant horticultural or environmental qualifications and equipment competency certificates, would also be helpful, alongside previous experience within a not-for-profit or funded organisation.
Applicants must be resident in the UK and have the right to work in the UK.
Benefits
TCVs benefits include:
- 26 days annual leave, including Christmas Eve, plus recognised bank/public holidays, increasing with service to a maximum of 31 days.
- A 5% employer pension contribution where employees contribute at least 3.5%.
- Training and development opportunities.
- A confidential Employee Assistance Programme.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Life assurance at twice annual salary.
- Family-friendly leave policies.
How to Apply
If you have practical conservation or horticultural experience and enjoy helping people make a difference in their communities, wed love to hear from you.
Simply apply now with your CV to register your interest. A member of the Charity Jobs NI team will be in touch to discuss your application and guide you through the next steps of the process.
Please indicate whether you are interested in the Coleraine post, the Co Armagh / South Down post, or both.
Closing Date: Monday 26th October 2026
This vacancy may close early depending on application levels.
Interviews: TBC
Equality, Inclusion and Safeguarding
TCV welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. As a Disability Confident Employer, it offers interviews to applicants with a disability or health condition who meet the minimum criteria. Reasonable adjustments are available.
Appointments are subject to satisfactory references, confirmation of the right to work and a satisfactory Access NI check. All employees must follow TCVs safeguarding policies and complete mandatory safeguarding training.
Charity Jobs NI is delighted to be supporting The Conservation Volunteers with this recruitment.
Skills:Horticulture Environmental Projects Conservation
WHJS1_NI
…