Are you passionate about wildlife recording and inspiring others to discover and celebrate nature? If so, a role as NHSN’s Naturalist could be right for you.
Do you have good field skills in botany, birds or insects?
Are you passionate about wildlife recording and inspiring others to notice and record the nature around them?
Would you enjoy a varied role delivering events, engaging communities and sharing stories about the wildlife of North East England?
If the answer is yes, we’d love to hear from you
NHSN Naturalist
Salary: £26,200, reviewed annually
Contract: Fixed term, 2 years until 31 August 2028
Employer: Natural History Society of Northumbria
Location: Gosforth Nature Reserve and NHSN Office at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle and leading events within Newcastle and North Tyneside’s wildlife corridors and regionally
NHSN’s Naturalist will inspire people to discover, understand and record the wildlife of North East England. The post combines practical fieldwork with public engagement, working directly with members, volunteers, schools, community groups and partner organisations to deliver engaging events, encouraging participation in citizen science and support biological recording across the region, including in Tyneside’s wildlife corridors and the Ouse Burn Way.
The postholder will provide expertise in wildlife identification and recording, helping to deliver surveys, training and guided events that contribute valuable data for nature conservation. They will also create engaging print and digital content that celebrates local wildlife, shares stories from the field and encourages more people to get involved in nature.
The Naturalist will work closely with, and be line-managed by, the Ouse Burn Naturalist, with additional support from the NHSN Director and Ouse Burn Ecologist. Committed, enthusiastic volunteers are involved with all aspects of NHSN’s work and play a central role in delivering its mission.
To apply: Please download the recruitment pack below – instructions are given within
Closing date: Email to James Common at james.common@newcastle.ac.uk by 12 noon, Wednesday 26 August
Why choose NHSN?
For almost 200 years, NHSN has inspired wonder in nature across Tyneside. Founded in 1829, we are a local, independent charity with a proud history. Until 1959, we welcomed visitors to the Great North Museum Hancock (now leased to Newcastle University and managed by NEM), which remains home to the NHSN office.
Today, NHSN connects people with nature through field trips, talks, citizen science, publications, social media, Gosforth Nature Reserve, and support for young naturalists. More recently, we have brought all of this together to inspire and support action in response to the climate and ecological crises.
Will you inspire wonder in the natural world?
You will be a passionate naturalist with strong field skills in plants, insects or birds combined with excellent interpersonal skills. You will enjoy engaging people with a wide range of interests, backgrounds, and levels of experience in natural history.
Your personal and professional approach will align with NHSN’s values: you will be welcoming, enthusiastic, flexible, agile, and locally focused. With a busy and varied schedule, you will be organised and calm under pressure, will show initiative and persistence, and will be motivated to inspire others.