Reserves Project Officer - North

Scottish Wildlife Trust

Highlands and Islands; Tore, Black Isle
£26,000 - £26,631 pa

Paid • Full Time • Permanent

scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk

Sectors: conservation & wildlife

Closing date: Friday, 18th October 2024  


The Role:

Reporting to, and working with, the Reserves Manager, the purpose of the Reserves Project Officer (RPO) role is to assist in delivering the conservation and restoration objectives of wildlife reserves, in this case across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, including the Trust’s largest reserve – Ben Mor Coigach, which sits within the Trust led Coigach and Assynt Living Landscape Initiative.

The successful candidate will deliver practical habitat conservation work, including long-term management, through practical work, volunteer tasks, management planning and monitoring. In addition to this, the RPO will carry out a range of specialist activities across various reserves as required. The post holder will work with the Reserves Manager and other staff to support the wider aims of the Trust.

As a key role the post holder will champion landscape scale conservation for nature and people; with a view to demonstrating exemplary habitat management across reserves. Reserves across this region host a mosaic of habitats, including uplands, coastal features and lowland heaths. The successful candidate will have experience of upland deer management, native woodland creation and peatland restoration.

Main duties: 

  • Assess conservation land management options across a range of habitats and work with the Reserves Manager to produce management plans/statements for these properties and report on activity on them.
  • Plan, and deliver practical reserve conservation and maintenance work in accordance with management plans/statements, including working with contractors and volunteers.
  • Liaise with communities and partners to develop and deliver conservation plans and the resulting operations.
  • Assist with the preparation of contract documentation for reserve maintenance work and supervise contractors.
  • Carry out a programme of focussed wildlife and habitat monitoring.

Regional Objectives – (relevant to specific geographic areas):

  • To undertake evidence-based deer management for nature conservation on upland wildlife reserves.
  • To coordinate and carry out surveys, monitoring and contribute to population modelling to inform deer management plans.
  • To deliver deer management with contract stalkers as well as directly undertaking deer control when required. 
  • To develop and support the development and sustainability of Community Deer Management Groups.
  • To provide deer management expertise, support and advice to colleagues across the Trust including the Reserves, Policy and Communication teams as required.

The preferred candidate will have excellent organisational and leadership skills, enthusiasm and flexibility. The role requires the ability to work with a range of partners including landowners and rural communities to develop and implement habitat and access tasks in demanding and rugged environments.

Closing date for applications is: 18 October 2024, 9:00 am

If you would like more information, please email [email protected] or call 0131 312 4718

The Trust is a passionate employer, proactive about creating a culture of diversity and inclusive workplace that promotes and values equal opportunities for all. We welcome individuals from all networks of life, backgrounds, and experiences.

About us

For nearly 60 years, the Scottish Wildlife Trust has worked with its members, partners and supporters in pursuit of its vision of healthy, resilient ecosystems across Scotland’s land and seas.

The Trust successfully champions the cause of wildlife through policy and campaigning work, demonstrates best practice through practical conservation and innovative partnerships, and inspires people to take positive action through its education and engagement activities. The Trust manages a network of around 120 wildlife reserves across Scotland and is a member of the UK-wide Wildlife Trusts movement.


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