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 three enthusiastic, skilled and experienced fieldworkers.

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 three enthusiastic, skilled and experienced fieldworkers, to assist in delivering 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:

• Monitoring wader productivity across Orkney.
• Undertaking skylark and meadow pipit transects.
• Data entry and management.
• Liaison with landowners to arrange survey land access.
• Some work carrying out Orkney vole surveys.
• Possibly productivity monitoring of seabirds, where required. This will be assisting the RSPB to cover key areas.

What we need from you 

1. Excellent bird identification skills and experience monitoring sensitive bird species, their nests and chicks, with a focus on waders.
2. Comfortable walking long distances over difficult terrain and working for prolonged periods in the field.
3. Willing to undertake surveys independently on remote islands, including overnight stays.
4. Good navigational skills including GPS use and ability to read OS maps.
5. Knowledge of, and adherence to, legal and practical requirements on protected species and habitats
6. Knowledge of health and safety in the field and for 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 ability to access the remote locations you will be required to work in

Please note that accommodation is not provided with these roles; however, the project will aid successful candidates where possible in finding a place to reside.

These are fixed term Contract Full Time roles for 37.5 hours per week.  The contracts will run between March and July 2022. The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make these roles permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for these positions on Wednesday 26th January and Thursday 27th 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 these roles, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.