Town in England advertises for Hedgehog Officer

Suffolk Wildlife Trust is aiming to create a completely hedgehog-friendly town. Photo / iStock

Are you looking forward to going home after work today? And are you a bit bored of your job? You definitely wouldn't have this feeling if your job title was Hedgehog Officer.

Suffolk Wildlife Trust is advertising for perhaps the most coveted role in the UK, and is probably expecting to be flooded with applications.

Competition for the Ipswich-based role is likely to be as stiff as a hedgehog's spike.

They say on their website: "We are looking for an inspirational individual who will be the face of hedgehog conservation in Ipswich. You will use your knowledge of nature conservation and hedgehog ecology to lead an ambitious project seeking to make Ipswich the most hedgehog friendly town in the UK."

The role includes working with local residents to create a street-by-street network of hedgehog accessible habitat, and monitoring hedgehog activity.

If you are lucky enough to become a Hedgehog Officer, you will be "the face of hedgehog conservation in Ipswich".

Imagine being able to boast that.

And the salary isn't bad either - £24,000 (NZ$43,717) for looking after hedgehogs.

The successful applicant needs to be good at public speaking, have some A Levels and IT knowledge, experience in conservation and a good knowledge of hedgehogs.

Suffolk Wildlife Trust is aiming to create a completely hedgehog-friendly town.

They wrote on their crowdfunding site: "We know hedgehogs are in trouble. A species celebrated in culture from Beatrix Potter's Mrs Tiggy-Winkle to Philip Larkin's poetry, is becoming an increasingly rare sight in the UK's gardens, parks and hedgerows.

"Research by the People's Trust for Endangered Species suggests hedgehog numbers have declined by more than a third between 2003 and 2012. This is why Suffolk Wildlife Trust is taking action."

Applications are due in by July 13 and the role is funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and British Hedgehog Preservation Society.