I am a dedicated and passionate practitioner with over 8 years of experience in environmental research, conservation, and ecosystem management. Proven track record in conducting field studies, analysing ecological data, and implementing sustainable practices to preserve biodiversity. Adept at collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and engaging with stakeholders to promote environmental awareness and policy development. Committed to advancing ecological science through innovative research and practical applications.
Work history
Associate Project Manager –Sustainability and Social Value
Vale of Glamorgan Council
Vale
To investigate and manage the delivery of a more sustainable education estate in the Vale, ensuring all programme milestones are met and that all maintained schools in the Vale engage with ecosystems management and decarbonisation through the Sustainable Communities for Learning programme and the wider learning and skills directorate
Analysed ecological data to assess environmental health and biodiversity
Developed and implemented conservation strategies to protect priority species and habitats
Collaborated with Welsh Government and NGOs on environmental projects
Researched and presented options for a more sustainable education estate in the Vale of Glamorgan, considered multiple facets of finance, maintenance, carbon, energy, and natural and social resources
Supported the development and implementation of a strategy that supports the Council’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions to net zero and support the local and national Nature Recovery Action Plan (NRAP)
Created, implemented and maintained learning resources to enable school stakeholders and the wider community to engage with enhancing and protecting biodiversity and decarbonisation
Engaging with the School Investment Operation Board to devise and support the management of a sustainable educational estate programme of works to ensure all project milestones are met
Liaised with the Welsh Government Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, Head Teachers, School Governors, and NGOs to ensure all aspects of the sustainable educational estate programme are aligned and delivered to plan
Prepared and delivered presentations to a wide range of stakeholders, including Elected Members, governors, headteachers.
Facilities and Open Spaces Officer
Penarth Town Council
Penarth
Maintain and improve, the Town Council’s venues and open spaces
Worked alongside members of the community, communicating positively and sympathetically with members of the public
Maintaining the graves, headstones, grounds, and buildings
Helping to facilitate burials
Supervise community events
Maintaining and improving Penarth Town Council's Open spaces
Assisting in the planning and implementing of environmentally friendly horticultural projects
Maintenance of existing gardens, herbaceous borders, and open spaces.
Landscape Operative Team Leader
Nurture Landscapes, South Wales
Maintaining the grounds of all contracts across South Wales including Aston Martin Lagonda, DWP sites, Green King pubs and Iceland supermarkets
General maintenance tasks including designing, producing, renewing and preserving outside spaces
Grass cutting, weed control and leaf raking
Planting new trees, plants and shrubs
Driving plant vehicles, small diggers etc
Maintenance of plants, tubs and baskets
Making sure that all garden equipment is correctly maintained and serviced
Seeding plants and watering them at the correct times
Clearing rubbish and litter away from the garden and grounds
Ensuring a safe working environment for everyone working in the garden.
Tree Surgeon, Landscaper, and business owner
Alpes Arborist, Chamonix Mont Blanc, France
Chamonix Mont Blanc
Cultivate, manage, prune, fell, crown lift/reduction, preserving, protecting and removing hedges, shrubs, bushes and trees
Working in a variety of locations from open parks to large mature trees overhanging properties and roads
Using heavy duty machinery, such as chainsaws, woodchippers and stump grinders
Utilise expert knowledge of trees to conduct inspections, undertake risk assessments, plan practical work, and provide advice to clients that are looking to develop certain areas of land where trees may be affected
Overseeing a small team of groundsmen to effectively manage a portfolio of gardens
Management and maintenance of large gardens on behalf of customers to their specific needs and expectations throughout the year in all seasons that includes grass cutting, planting shrubs and bedding plants, grass cutting, weed control, leaf raking and planting new trees
General maintenance tasks including designing, producing, renewing and preserving outside spaces
Driving plant vehicles, small diggers etc
Provision of specialist advice to customers on the type of shrubs/plants to keep in their gardens as well as design plan and undertake large scale landscaping for clients as required
Production of invoices and engaging in negotiations with potential clients and training junior members of staff
Ensuring a safe working environment for everyone working outdoors.
Education
Master of Science - Environmental Conservation and Management
University of Wales Trinity St David
Swansea, City and County of Swansea
10.2022 - 05.2025
Bachelor of Science - Sociology
University of South Wales
Cardiff
09.2001 - 06.2004
NPTC - Level 3 Award in Aerial Cutting of Trees with a Chainsaw
City & Guilds
01.2016 - 03.2016
NPTC - Level 3 Award in Aerial Tree Pruning
City & Guilds
01.2016 - 03.2016
NPTC - Level 3 Award in Felling and Processing Trees Over 380mm
City & Guilds
01.2016 - 01.2016
NPTC - Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Manually Fed wood chipper
City & Guilds
01.2016 - 03.2016
NPTC - Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of a Mobile Elevated Work Platform
City & Guilds
01.2016 - 03.2016
NPTC - Level 2 Award Tree Climbing and Rescue
City & Guilds
01.2016 - 03.2016
PA1 and PA6 Safe application of herbicides
City & Guilds
03.2018 -
Level 2 Principles of Horticulture
Royal Horticultural Society
01.2015 - 03.2015
Skills
Ecological Research & Data Analysis
Biodiversity Conservation
Review and scrutinise Environmental Impact Assessments
GIS
Project Management
Writing & Reporting on ecological policy, legislation and BNG
Public Outreach & Education
Climbing proficiency
References
Alissa Flatley, University Wales Trinity St David, Wales Institute of Science and Art, Swansea, SA1 8EW, 07949871795, a.flatley@uwtsd.ac.uk