Project Officer – Allonby Bay Engagement Officer

Location: Allonby Bay, Gosling Sike

Salary: £32,140 based on a 35-hour week, plus pension contributions

Contract length: Fixed term for 2.5 years. Starting early June 2025

This role will be centred around Allonby Bay Highly Protected Marine Area (HPMA) and the surrounding coastline with the option of working from home and with office space available at Gosling Sike, Carlisle.

The opportunity: Cumbria Wildlife Trust is looking for a passionate and motivated individual to lead our Allonby Bay HPMA Engagement Project, helping to build awareness, understanding, and involvement around England’s first inshore Highly Protected Marine Area (HPMA). This is a rare and exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping how people connect with and benefit from a marine environment that is protected at the highest level.

Allonby Bay is a unique and beautiful place, home to incredible marine life. As the Allonby Bay Engagement Officer, you will bring people together to learn about the importance of this special place, working alongside schools, fishermen, local businesses, sea users, and conservation partners to explore how the HPMA can benefit both nature and the community. You will organise events, activities, and discussions that make marine conservation exciting, relevant, and accessible to all. From running hands-on citizen science projects to supporting sustainable business opportunities, you will play a key role in shaping a positive and inclusive conversation about marine protection.

This role is perfect for someone who is a natural communicator, enjoys bringing people together, and has experience in marine conservation, environmental outreach, or coastal projects. You will need to be confident working with diverse audiences, from school groups to policymakers, and be able to create opportunities for people to understand, appreciate, and engage with their local marine environment, as well as working with policy makers to advocate that the community is being considered and included in decisions around the HPMA. Experience in coordinating events, running citizen science activities, and supporting volunteer networks will be an advantage.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust is committed to ensuring that marine conservation is a collaborative effort, and we are looking for someone who can help build relationships that will make a lasting impact. If you have a passion for the ocean, a creative approach to problem-solving, and the drive to make a difference in one of the UK’s most important marine environments, we would love to hear from you.

Whilst we will select against the criteria in the job description, we do not expect candidates to meet 100% of the criteria and encourage you to apply if you believe that you would be a good fit for this role.

The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on Friday 25 April 2025.

Interviews will be held at our offices in Carlisle at Gosling Sike on Wednesday 7 May 2025.

Completed application forms should be returned with a cover letter outlining the candidate's suitability for the post, to Claire Shepherd, HR Manager, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Plumgarths, Crook Road, Kendal, LA8 8LX or by email to admin@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk.

For any role-related queries please contact Georgia de Jong Cleyndert (Head of Marine Conservation) on 07554637192 . 

Please note, Cumbria Wildlife Trust does not own the HPMA and is not responsible for enforcement of the HPMA. This is an awareness project about the local marine and coastal wildlife.