Ursula Juta

Senior Project Officer

Please describe the work that you do.

I manage river restoration projects; tasks range from organising stakeholder engagement meetings to writing risk assessments and permits, conducting wildlife surveys pre and post-restoration and monitoring water quality on various sites. I also deliver talks to community groups and take schools on river visits to teach them about their local natural environment.

What do you most like about your job? Any dislikes?

I love that every day is different. I also enjoy the satisfying feeling of seeing a project through from start to finish, particularly when the post-restoration surveys show that biodiversity and habitat has improved because of the work we have delivered. Taking school groups out to rivers is also really good fun!

The only negative is when you know you are doing good work with a positive outcome but stakeholders or landowners don’t want to engage. It can be very frustrating!

What inspired you into this career?

I have always loved being outside and really enjoy aquatic wildlife. I’m very enthusiastic and keen to engage with people which I hope rubs off and enthuses them.

Have you faced any challenges in progressing your career so far?

I struggled to get my first job after graduating because I didn’t have much experience and didn’t have time to volunteer because I had a mortgage to pay on my own. I had almost given up on the idea of ever working in conservation but got lucky and was offered this role at Norfolk Rivers Trust.

What education/training did you have?

I had a degree in Ecology and limited habitat management experience from volunteering at a local heathland as and when I could.

What advice would you give to someone coming into the profession?

Devote your time to learning, but also getting yourself known by volunteering for as many organisations as you can. Search for independent ecologists who might need a safety worker or assistant because you will learn a lot from them. Making contacts and showing dedication is so valuable.

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