The Wandle Trust is an environmental charity dedicated to enhancing the health of the River Wandle and its catchment. The Wandle Trust is a member of the Rivers Trust and is part of the Rivers Trusts movement which is described as having “wet feet” because it concentrates its efforts on practical improvement works on the ground. The Wandle Trust works with a range of partners to deliver ecosystem improvement, engagement and education activities on the River Wandle and surrounding area and aims to set international standards for urban community-driven sustainability and environmental excellence.
The Wandle Trust is seeking to engage a contractor as the Project Co-ordinator for the ‘Trout from the Classroom to the Wandle’ Project for one season between October 2012 and April 2013. This project aims to help reintroduce a sustainable population of native brown trout to the River Wandle with the support of local school children. The River Wandle was once a famous trout fishery but brown trout died out in the 1930s due to pollution. With water quality now much improved trout can once again thrive in the river but they need to be reintroduced. Small scale reintroductions have been successfully undertaken over the past ten years but the population is low and needs increasing. This project will grow up to 1200 brown trout from egg to fry stage for one season (7 months) in local schools. The trout will be released into the River Wandle at an appropriate stage of their lifecycle to maximise their chances of survival.
JOB SUMMARY
You will work with the Trust Director and local volunteers to and implement the ‘Trout from the Classroom to the Wandle’ Project. You will identify and contract schools to take part and recruit and train volunteers to help deliver the project and support each school. The development and survival of brown trout will be a key part of the project and you will implement an existing hatching system designed to rear trout from egg to fry stage in a school environment; you will improve the system where necessary to ensure maximum trout survival. You will organise and run celebratory release days during which the brown trout will be released into the River Wandle at appropriate locations.
You will report to the Trust Director and, when required, the Trustees.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Planning and implementing the ‘Trout from the Classroom to the Wandle’ Project
1.1 Work with the Trust Director to plan the project for one season coincident with the lifecycle of brown trout.
1.2 Review the project between phases to ensure outputs and outcomes from the project are maximised, including number of healthy trout successfully introduced to the Wandle, number of children involved, number of volunteers trained and involved, number of schools and businesses involved.
1.3 Contribute to reports for funders and the Wandle Trust Board as required.
1.4 Ensure the project runs to time and budget.
1.5 Handle any publicity as necessary.
2. Sourcing and training (volunteers, schools, local business support and trout)
2.1 Identify and contract schools in Wandsworth to be involved in the project.
2.2 Train teachers.
2.3 Recruit and train volunteers to help deliver the project, including undertaking any necessary checks, e.g. CRB check.
2.4 Obtain matched funding from local businesses and foster a positive relationship between businesses, schools and the local environment.
2.5 Acquire trout eggs from an accredited and sustainable source.
3. Support children and volunteers to nurture brown trout.
3.1 Set up a hatching aquarium in each school and ensure support staff and volunteers know how to use it.
3.2 Provide each school with sufficient trout eggs and support to enable the trout to grow optimally.
3.3 Liaise regularly with teachers and volunteers to ensure smooth running of the process.
3.4 Ensure the children are taught about the value of a healthy river and how they can contribute to it; encourage teachers to use the trout as a teaching aid.
3.5 Encourage the school to publicise the project and related messages widely, e.g. to parents through newsletters and the school website.
3.6 Ensure compliance with relevant policies, including health and safety.
4. Releasing Trout.
5. Identify release sites within the Borough of Wandsworth to ensure maximum success of trout survival and safety of those releasing the trout.
5.1 Arrange all permissions and consents to release trout and run the release events (including health checks and Section 30 consent).
5.2 Arrange celebratory release events for children to release their trout into the Wandle.
5.3 Ensure the events are well publicised and highlight the issues around the survival and conservation of brown trout.
Deadline for applications: 22 September 2012
Interviews: 4 October 2012
Appointment to post: 11 October 2012
Induction programme: 4 days: 11 October, 18 October, 25 October and 1 November
Project delivery: 5 November 2012 to 28 April 2013, 16 hours per week
Status: Self- employed contractor responsible for your own working arrangements
Remuneration: £21,252 pro rata (£5,136)
Location: Throughout the London Borough of Wandsworth and possibly in Croydon, Merton and Sutton
How to apply: email your CV and covering letter to gideon.reeve@wandletrust.org by 22 September 2012
