The Orkney Native Wildlife Project aims to safeguard the unique and internationally important native wildlife of Orkney and the benefits it provides for local people and the economy by addressing the threat it faces from an invasive non-native predator: the stoat. Stoats threaten the Orkney vole, and many birds including hen harriers, short-eared owls, red-throated divers, waders and seabirds. It is therefore essential to remove stoats from Orkney to prevent significant and long-term negative impacts on Orkney’s native wildlife.

Native wildlife monitoring is an integral part of the project and a comprehensive monitoring programme is carried out each breeding season.  We are looking for an enthusiastic, skilled and experienced fieldworker.

The project is a partnership between RSPB Scotland, NatureScot and Orkney Islands Council, and beside partner contributions, is generously funded by NLHF and EU Life.

What the role is about

We are looking for an enthusiastic, skilled and experienced fieldworker, to assist the Monitoring Officer in leading the seasonal Research Assistants to deliver a comprehensive programme of native wildlife surveys between March and July 2022. The main aspect of the fieldwork is to carry out wader productivity surveys (nest/chick finding & monitoring) across Orkney. Training/support are provided throughout the season. The role also involves a large amount of lone-working, therefore an ability to show initiative and work responsibly in remote environments is paramount.

Key tasks include: 

• Assisting the Monitoring Officer with planning and organising the fieldwork programme.
• Support and lead the Research Assistants in the field.
• Monitoring wader productivity across Orkney.
• Undertaking skylark and meadow pipit transects.
• Liaison with landowners to arrange survey land access.
• Data entry and management, including assisting the Research Assistants to keep their data up to date.
• Possibly productivity monitoring of seabirds. This will be assisting the RSPB to cover key areas.

 What we need from you 

1. Excellent bird identification skills and experience of fieldwork on birds, ideally involving surveys using standardised methodology, and nest-finding/monitoring.
2. Ideally, experience of planning fieldwork, especially involving multiple people and surveys. Experience of leading others in the field, training and supporting them.
3. Strong navigational skills including GPS use and ability to read OS maps.
4. Comfortable walking long distances over difficult terrain and working for prolonged periods in the field. Willing to undertake surveys independently on remote islands, including overnight stays where required.
5. Knowledge of, and adherence to, legal and practical requirements on protected species and habitats.
6. Knowledge of health and safety requirements and experience of ensuring own health and safety, sometimes in challenging field conditions.
7. Ability to use own initiative to solve day-to-day problems in the field.
8. Willing to work flexible hours, be self-motivated and work efficiently within a defined work plan. Able to work positively and efficiently within a team.
9. Skilled use of Microsoft Office and ability to accurately collect and collate data sets.
10. Verbal communication skills to develop and maintain good relations with landowners and members of the public.
11. Full UK driving licence to be able to use fleet vehicles for survey work or the ability to access the remote locations you will be required to work in

This is a Contract Full Time role for 37.5 hours per week.  The contract will run between March and July 2022 for 22 weeks. The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on Wednesday 26th January 2022. For further information please contact rebecca.wicks@rspb.org.uk

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.