SISI Seasonal Project Officer – Deveron

Employer: The Deveron, Bogie and Isla Rivers Charitable Trust

Salary: Up to £22,000 Pro-Rata Basis

Contract: 4 months fixed term from start date (anticipated May to August 2021)

Hours: 35hrs/week

Location: The Offices, Avochie Stables, Avochie Estate, Rothiemay, Aberdeenshire, AB54 7YY

Your role: The Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (SISI) is a four year National Lottery Heritage Fund and NatureScot funded project in northern Scotland which aims to encourage communities to tackle invasive non-native species (INNS) such as Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed and American mink. 

We are looking for a dynamic professional to join our small team as a Seasonal Project Officer. The Seasonal Project Officer will act as the project contact for the Ythan and Ugie river catchment areas and will work with the SISI Project Officer and SISI Volunteer and Communication Officer to deliver the project this summer.  The Seasonal Project Officer will be responsible for all or specified combinations of the following aspects of the project: communications, education and outreach, volunteer recruitment and management, biosecurity and INNS control.

Job description

Key tasks and responsibilities

The SISI Seasonal Project Officer will work closely with the SISI Project Officer and SISI Volunteer and Communication Officer to undertake the following tasks:

• Work with the SISI Project Officer to deliver a practical work programme for volunteers.
• Working with local land-managers, ghillies, gamekeepers, communities, volunteers and other stakeholders, recruit, coordinate and maintain a network of volunteers and wildlife management professionals.
• Work with the SISI Project Officer to liaise, motivate and communicate with volunteers as required.
• Organise and where required lead volunteer work parties for the clearance of invasive non-native plants
• Be responsible for all logistics associated with the deployment and workings of volunteer work parties.
• Ensure that all Health and Safety requirements are met and protocols are followed.
• Record volunteer tasks undertaken and time spent.
• Record the extent and abundance of plants within target populations treated by volunteers.
• Work with SISI Project Officer to maintain a surveillance network recording the occurrence of target INNS.
• Provide training to the volunteer network as required that includes but is not limited to:
  • The set-up, maintenance and running of mink rafts;
  • Humane dispatch of mink (where appropriate);
  • Identification skills for key native species and non-native plants.
  • Data collection according to standardised protocols.
  • Monitor the outcomes and impacts of the control work undertaken.

Experience and skills

• Well motivated to undertake SISI tasks in liaison with other Project staff
• Physically fit to carry out manual clearance of invasive non-native plants
• Ability to demonstrate experience of leading volunteer groups
• Good record keeping skills
• Good communication skills and a proven ability to deliver projects with supervision
• Advantageous to hold City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Award in PA1 (safe use of pesticides), PA6 (hand held applicator) and W (for use by water) qualification
• Advantageous to hold First Aid at Work or Outdoor First Aid qualification
• A full clean Driving Licence and access to a vehicle

Applications

To apply: Please submit your CV with a covering letter (no more than 2 pages), outlining your relevant skills and experience for the job to sisi@nature.scot.

Closing date for applications: 1pm on Monday 22 March 2021 (late applications will not be accepted)

Interviews will be held on: Will be held (in video format) on Friday 09 April

Further information

The Scottish Invasive Species Initiative – www.invasivespecies.scot

The Deveron, Bogie and Isla Rivers Charitable Trust – www.deveron.org
The Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland (No. SC 032131). It was established in 2001 and has the following aims and objectives:

To conserve, protect and rehabilitate salmon, sea-trout and trout and other indigenous wildlife and to promote the ecological cycle within the Deveron catchment area.
To raise people’s awareness of conservation and protected areas by commissioning research and publishing the results for the public’s benefit.     

This position is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and NatureScot through the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative