Careers
An Creagán Peatlands Officer
JOB DESCRIPTION
| Role: | An Creagán Peatlands Officer |
| Salary: | £31,719 Access to employer’s contributory pension scheme – maximum 3% per annum. |
| Hours: | Full-time hours – 37.5 hours per week. |
| Location: | An Creagán Offices 186 Barony Rd, Omagh Co.Tyrone BT79 9AB. There will be occasional travel throughout the UK and Ireland. |
| Contract: | Contract ends on 31 March 2028 (with potential to extend to 2033). This post is subject to a 3-month probationary period. |
| Leave: | 24 days per annum plus statutory holidays |
| Reporting to: | An Creagán Manager and Ulster Wildlife |
| Other benefits: | Flexi-time system and onsite parking. |
OVERVIEW
A new Northern Ireland Peatlands Collaborative and Technical Network comprising a range of stakeholders is being formed. The Network will support DAERA in the delivery of the Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy, helping maximise the contribution of peatlands to Northern Ireland’s net zero journey and help to halt and reverse the decline of biodiversity.
An Creagán’s Peatlands Officer will work with the Peatlands Collaborative and Technical Network and Ulster Wildlifes Peatlands Team to develop and deliver peatland restoration and management projects in the Creggan area and the nearby landscape character areas.
The post holder will help establish and maintain key and active engagement with landowners and farmers, to plan projects and to work on the management of peatland restoration and future management projects. You will support the collection and provision of monitoring and evaluation data from peatland operations to inform the performance of peatland restoration projects.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and innovative individual to provide critical support to deliver effective and large-scale peatland restoration in Northern Ireland.
TASKS AND MAIN DUTIES OF THE POST
- Engage & liaise with landowners to secure participation in peatland restoration for target sites in the Creggan area and surrounding landscape character areas.
- Procure and manage peatland restoration contracts on the ground and ensure delivery to time, budget and environmental conditions
- Plan and deliver fieldwork for the collection of scientific monitoring data, including water table depths, peat depths, and species-specific surveys for sites in the Creggan area and surrounding landscape character areas.
- Carry out risk assessments for on-ground works, fieldwork, and events to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements.
- Collection and management of ecological and hydrological data using GIS, to assist with the production of maps for restoration action plans, on-site contractors, and tender documents.
- Work closely with the Peatlands Collaborative and Technical Network on collation of data including hydrological information, weather data, peat depths for target sites.
- Organise and deliver stakeholder events and meetings around developing peatland restoration and raising awareness of peatlands in the Creggan area and surrounding areas.
- Develop procurement documentation associated with the programme of planned on-ground works.
- Assist with reporting and claims processes to project funders.
No job description can cover every issue which may arise and subsequently the post holder may be expected to carry out other duties with those itemised above.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
An Creagán Peatlands Officer should be educated to third level in a relevant subject and be experienced in stakeholder management. The post holder will have experience liaising with various stakeholders to deliver projects, and working within project teams, supporting delivery of outputs on time and within budget. The post holder will be proficient in Microsoft Office with good all-round communication and organisational skills including writing documents and action plans.
Essential Criteria
- Third level qualification in a relevant subject AND at least 1 year’s relevant full-time experience (or equivalent part-time experience) OR 3 year’s relevant full-time experience (or equivalent part-time experience).
- Knowledge of Northern Ireland agriculture and land use, particularly on peatlands and/or peat soils
- Knowledge and understanding of NI’s biodiversity and ecosystem services as well as the management requirements associated with designated sites.
- Demonstrable experience of building & maintaining effective relationships with landowners/stakeholders as part of a project.
- Understanding of health and safety policies and procedures and risk assessments.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbally – effective presentation, report writing & the ability to converse with a diverse range of people at all levels.
- Effective organisational skills including the ability to plan, manage and prioritise workloads for self and others, meet deadlines, plan and organise meetings and events.
- High level of computer literacy with a good knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
- Willingness and ability to work during the evening and at weekends where required.
- Access to transport for business purposes to allow the post holder to carry out the full requirements of the role.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience and knowledge of peatland conservation
- Experience of managing contractors to carry out capital site works
- Proficient in the use of GIS software.
This post is supported through the DAERA Environment Fund.
To apply, complete the application form
This form must be received no later than 5pm Monday 8th June 2026 in Microsoft Word format (NOT PDF)
Completed application to be e-mailed to info@ancreagan.com
An Creagán Education Officer
JOB DESCRIPTION
Peatland Education Officer
An Creagán is a community-based organisation located between the towns of Cookstown and Omagh, Co. Tyrone, within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in the lower Sperrin Mountains. An Creagán includes a multi-purpose community building set on a landscape comprising woodland, a restored bogland and over 5km of walking trails. An Creagán hosts a restaurant and 8 self-catering holiday cottages, and the organisation runs a wide range of events and projects focused on environmental education, the local economy, community social needs and wellbeing as well as on heritage, craft, and culture.
An Creagán have formed a partnership with Ulster Wildlife to restore Peatland throughout the Lower Sperrins area including a number of designated sites such as ‘Black Bog’, ‘The Murrins’ and ‘Mullaghcarn’ as well as ‘Haugheys Bog’, a heavily degraded Peatland close to the An Creagán site purchased by the partners. Haugheys Bog will serve as an education and training resource facilitating training of contractors and educating visitors and the wider public on restoration works.
The work in the Lower Sperrins area is part of a wider Ulster Wildlife project to restore peatland throughout Northern Ireland, as part of The Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy 2022-2040. The project is set to run up to March 2028.
Community engagement and education form a large part of the overall project. An Creagán seek to employ a full time Peatland Education Officer to assist our Peatland Officer in delivering education programmes for primary and secondary schools, further education colleges, university students, and other groups, on the restoration work being carried out and its importance regarding biodiversity recovery, climate mitigation and water purification/attenuation among other ecosystem services.
The post holder will be responsible to the An Creagán Peatland Officer. The Education Officer will be responsible for the development, delivery, promotion and monitoring/evaluation of a Peatland Education Programme for An Creagán.
The Education Officer will be responsible for the development, delivery, promotion and monitoring/evaluation of a Peatland Education Programme for An Creagán.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
The Education Officer will:
- Familiarise themselves with the natural resources and facilities at An Creagán.
- Inform groups about the natural environment through guided walks, events and talks raising awareness of environmental issues.
- Prepare and distribute publicity materials and displays.
- Attend conferences.
- Work with the Peatland Officer to:
*Write plans, reports and press releases.
*Produce educational resources.
*Liaise with schools, businesses, LEAs, voluntary/community groups and other local organisations.
*Organise school visits and develop a programme of outreach activities.
*Analyse data and collate information.
*Research, monitor and review the effectiveness of the Education programmes .
Working with people is a key feature of the job and includes conservation awareness events such as talks, presentations, workshops and guided walks, helping with volunteer activities and conservation projects.
JOB SPECIFICATION
Post: Peatland Education Officer, An Creagán
(Full time fixed term until 30 September 2027)
Hours of Work: 37.5 hrs per week
(The successful candidate will occasionally be required to work on evenings and weekends)
Remuneration: £27,271 + NIC + 3% employer pension.
Holidays: 24 days plus statutory holidays.
Flexible working hours, Access to a company pension, Free car parking on site.
The post holder will be based at An Creagán Visitor Centre.
Essential requirements
- 3rd level education.
- Demonstrable experience of delivering education programmes in a formal setting.
- Knowledge of Peatland and its associated wildlife.
- Knowledge and Experience in delivery of Shared Education to Primary and Preschools.
- Have strong communication skills and experience in dealing with the general public/visitors.
- Computer skills including Microsoft Suite.
- Full driver’s license and access to a vehicle.
Desirable requirements
- Qualifications and/or experience in teaching children with special educational needs.
- Experience in delivery of Shared Education
This post is funded by the DAERA, NIEA and Shared Island Initiative Peatlands Challenge Fund
To apply, complete the application form
An Creagan Peatlands Education Officer Application Form
This form must be received no later than 5pm Wednesday 10th June 2026 in Microsoft Word format (NOT PDF)
Completed application to be e-mailed to info@ancreagan.com