Conservation Officer (Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels)

Status: Full Time, Fixed Term until March 2024

Closing date: 8th June 2023

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. It also manages a network of over 100 wildlife reserves across Scotland and is a member of the UK-wide Wildlife Trusts movement.

Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) is a project to deliver the essential protection measures required to secure the long-term future of red squirrels in Scotland and to ensure that systems are put in place to continue the delivery of these measures over the long term by working with other agencies with a stake in native species conservation and invasive non-native species management.

The successful candidate will:

• Protect red squirrels within, and to the north of, the Highland Line priority landscape across Tayside and Scottish landscapes to the north from replacement by grey squirrels and from squirrelpox disease.
• To inspire people to value their local red squirrels and the wider natural heritage.

Main Objectives include:

• Plan and lead the delivery of strategic grey squirrel control work within and above the Highland Linewithin Tayside, the project’s priority area, to create an integrated grey squirrel control network as outlined in the SSRS project plan.

• Line manage and support four seasonal Grey Squirrel Control Officers to carry out effective grey
  squirrel control in the project’s priority area and carry out the annual recruitment of the seasonal grey squirrel control staff.

• Implement and further develop engagement to encourage and support a network of land managers and communities to engage actively in red squirrel protection and monitoring work in strategic areas of Tayside.

• Promote the recording of squirrel distribution records in Tayside; check and verify records reported onthe SSRS online squirrel reporting page or oversee volunteer checking and verification of the sightings records.

• Help to collect, maintain, and report the information required for reporting on project performance to the Trust, funders and partners.

What we offer:

• Salary sacrifice schemes including Cycle to Work & Pension schemes.
• We have always been hugely flexible in our approach to how you wish to work and continue to offer a flexible approach.
• One Wellness Hour per week
• Enhanced Pension rate upon completion of probation
• Sick Pay Allowance
• Enhanced Maternity/ Paternity Leave
• Training and Development
• Paid volunteering days

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

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