Catchment Officer

Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week

Area of work: predominantly Kent catchments (River Medway, North Kent, River Rother and
Romney Marshes)

Are you a curious, evidence-driven investigator with a passion for freshwater habitats? Do you
want to play a lead role in uncovering the issues facing two of the South East’s most exciting
and ecologically significant river catchments? Could you use data, local knowledge and
nature-based solutions to drive meaningful action for rivers, wildlife and communities?

About the Role

The South East Rivers Trust (SERT) is an environmental charity bringing rivers and their
catchments back to life. Working across 12 catchments in the South East of England, SERT
empowers communities, supports citizen science, and works collaboratively with stakeholders to
protect and restore our vital freshwater environments. We use data and evidence to guide
action, and work with nature to make our rivers healthy again — tackling pollution, restoring
habitats, reconnecting rivers and securing sustainable water.

We are seeking a Catchment Officer (or Assistant Catchment Officer, depending on experience) to
support the work across three varied catchments: the River Medway, North Kent, and the River
Rother and Romney Marshes. These catchments are all unique with a mixture of chalk streams,
clay rivers, marshes and estuaries, giving a great opportunity to develop a wide array of
knowledge and get involved with different project types, as well as supporting on habitats and
initiatives that highlight your skills.

You will take an initial supporting role, and eventually more of a leading role the Catchment
Partnerships, where we facilitate collaboration, align actions, and drive shared visions for
the rivers and their catchments — helping partners turn ideas into action. You will also
support in identifying and investigating the causes of river degradation — using data,
fieldwork, citizen science, stakeholder engagement, and desk-based research to build a detailed
picture of the catchments. You’ll work to identify, develop and scope solutions — from
small-scale interventions to multi-partner restoration schemes — and then lead or support
delivery by working closely with colleagues from across SERT.

This role offers a brilliant opportunity for someone who has an interest in piecing together
puzzles, building partnerships, developing project pipelines and translating evidence into
action. Applicants with experience in landowner engagement, estuarine habitats, chalk stream
habitats, fisheries ecology or river restoration would be particularly well suited to the role.
However, you will be working closely with the Senior Catchment Officer in these catchments so
there will be plenty of opportunity to learn on the job and from other members of staff and
partners.

While we would prefer to appoint at Catchment Officer level, we will consider strong candidates
an Assistant Catchment Officer level who demonstrate the skills and potential to grow into the
role and develop.

Working at the South East Rivers Trust is rewarding, fulfilling and fast-paced. We collaborate
with energy and professionalism, guided by our values of delivering high-quality work, using
expertise and science, building strong relationships, and bringing positivity and integrity to
everything we do. If this sounds like the right environment for you — we’d love to hear from
you.

How to apply:

For more information and to apply, please click ‘Find out more & apply’ button. 

The deadline for application is 11:59pm on Sunday 8th June 2025. We reserve the right to close the recruitment early.

Interviews will be in person at our Leatherhead office, potentially w.c. 16th June 2025.

If you would like to discuss the position please email [email protected] with your enquiry and
we will arrange to call you back.

Please note: All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We do not sponsor applicants
from overseas.