Conservation Lead (Highland Line) - Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels
Scottish Wildlife Trust
Conservation Lead (Highland Line) - Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels
Salary: £28,288 per annum
Location: Blairgowrie, Tayside
Full time
Fixed term until 31 March 2026 with potential for extension
The Role:
We are looking for a passionate and driven person to lead and deliver Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) project operations across the Highland Line Control Zone. Coordinating efforts to protect red squirrels from replacement by grey squirrels and from squirrel pox disease, through delivering project objectives including developing new rapid response monitoring networks in strategic areas, coordinating island eradication efforts and fostering new partnerships across the landscape to ensure long-term support. You will work closely with a collaborative project team, partner agencies, and stakeholders to deliver innovative and essential change. This is a chance to make a difference to the protection and promotion of one of Scotland’s iconic species.
Key Responsibilities and Duties include:
Strategic Planning: leading the planning and delivery of project objectives and monitoring. Monitoring and evaluating progress to adapt operational priorities and approaches as needed.
Operational Implementation: Including
the expansion of the project trap-loan scheme, progressing island eradication efforts, and
supporting the development of Rapid Response Monitoring networks.
Collaboration &
Coordination: Work with project partners and stakeholders, including scientific agencies,
government bodies, and NGOs, to develop and implement best practices.
Strong Team Leadership: Line manage and support the Highland Line team to deliver high-impact results.
Monitoring & Reporting: Oversee operations and monitoring, ensuring data is collected and reported consistently to track success.
The successful candidate will be:
A strategic thinker coupled with excellent
organisation
A confident and comfortable communicator
Motivated to work on their own initiative
and lead others
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. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a partnership
project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and supported by project partners and the Scottish
Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.
Closing date: 4th August at midnight
Interview date: Friday 15th August 2025
About Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT)
For over 50 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. It also manages a network of around 120 wildlife reserves across Scotland and is a member of the UK-wide Wildlife Trusts movement.
For over 50 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. It also 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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