TULLIE HOUSE MUSEUM & ART GALLERY TRUST

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title:CBDC Recording Officer

Grade:e (£20,660-£24,963)

Responsible to:CBDC Manager

OVERALL PURPOSE

To maintain and develop the policies and procedures of Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre (CBDC)to enhance the exchange and use of biological data for the conservation and study of wildlife and wildlife habitats in Cumbria.

  • To build and strengthen links with the Cumbria recording community and CBDC stakeholders
  • To increase the biodiversity data available for Cumbria and its widespread use
  • To develop and deliver biodiversity information products and services

Key Areas of Responsibility

  1. Establish effective data flows with volunteer recorders, local recording groups and national schemes and societies by negotiating terms and conditions and documenting procedures.
  2. Provide support and advice to recorders by providing recording standards, relevant data and reports and identifying priorities for recording.
  3. Encourage and motivate Cumbria recorders to establish a strong active recording community by building partnership with recorders and helping to organise the annual Recorders Conference.
  4. Develop partnership recording projects with local groups and organisations.
  5. Increase the number of active recorders by developing a programme of recording days, training workshops, public engagement surveys, and events.
  6. Provide support to recording groups by managing their datasets and supplying data to them in relevant formats.
  7. Develop and deliver training for recorders to encourage them to use online resources for identification and recording.
  8. Publicise CBDC and biological recording to recorders and the public by exhibitions, social media, newsletters and press releases.
  9. Develop and maintain content for the CBDC website.

Data management

  1. Identify potential enhancements to data management systems with regard to coverage and quality of data holdings by maintaining an overview of good practice throughout the UK and by evaluating the effectiveness of the systems in place.
  2. Liaise with organisations, recording groups and individuals to negotiate arrangements for CBDC to manage and/or use their data.
  3. Identify potential opportunities for acquisition of new data holdings and negotiate access to these data in line with agreed priorities.
  4. Assist with the management of CBDC's biological datasets, ensuring thorough application of agreed procedures for acquiring, verifying, computerising, validating and storing data.
  5. Contribute to the development of data management policies and procedures for CBDC by consulting users and recorders, gathering examples of good practice and drafting material.
  6. Catalogue data holdings (computerised and paper) following agreed procedures.
  7. Process and computerise biological datasets, as appropriate, following CBDC’s policies and procedures.
  8. Audit the expertise available in Cumbria for all taxon groups and ensure quality control of species and habitat data through the development of data verification and validation procedures.

Data analysis and service provision

  1. Work with the Data Officer to provide products for recorders and other users by analysing,evaluating data,preparing reports and occasional publications to a high standard and using agreed procedures for controlling access to data.
  2. Gather feedback from users, monitor data use and market services to continually improve CBDC products and services quality and take-up.
  3. Research, analyse, interpret and evaluate data and information to identify emerging trends or priorities.

Resource management

  1. Oversee volunteers including providing day-to-day supervision of work and providing relevant training where required.
  2. Contribute to the development of projects, by identifying opportunities, gathering information, and preparing proposals.
  3. Contribute to the day to day management of the office and facilities.

Other

  1. Represent CBDC to users, recorders and partners at a range of meetings and events.
  2. Carry out any other tasks required to contribute to CBDC’s effective operation.

PERSON SPECIFICATION: CBDC Recording Officer

All criteria are essential, unless stated as ‘Desirable’ (D)

Criteria
/
Competency
Education & Qualifications
/
  • a degree or equivalent in related subject
a relevant qualification in ICT (D)
Assessment by documentary evidence
Experience, Knowledge & Understanding
/
  • communicating with biodiversity data providers and users
  • managing biological data (D)
  • biological recording in the UK
  • UK natural history and ecology
  • wildlife of Cumbria (D)
  • detailed understanding of survey and recording of at least one habitat type or taxonomic group
  • policies, legislation and organisations relating to UK wildlife
  • working with volunteer recorders
  • overseeing volunteers and staff (D)
  • data protection and health and safety legislation
Assessment by CV, interview and references
Skills
/
  • use MS Office suite programmes effectively and efficiently
  • use GIS to display and analyse data(D)
  • use Access/SQL to analyse and present data (D)
  • use biological recording software(D)
  • effective communication skills, both verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences, especially dealing with technical issues
negotiation and advocacy skills
Assessment by interview, sight of examples of candidate’s previous work output, and references
Personal qualities & Commitment
/
  • helpful and approachable
  • communicates clearly and with confidence
  • excellent interpersonal skills, ability to build relationships
  • ability to act as an advocate for CBDC and biological recording
  • ability to work as part of a team and with other organisations
  • ability to work well on own initiative
  • a strong aptitude for working with computers
  • excellent attention to detail
  • a mature and professional approach to work
  • work in a structured organised way and able to effectively prioritise their workload
  • ability to work effectively under pressure (D)
  • interest in the natural environment
Assessment by interview and references
Other factors
/ Willingness to work flexibly (including occasional un-social hours) and to travel throughout Cumbria.
Assessment by documentation and interview

Original: July 2012:- Amended May 2017