Field Officer – Gough Island

The RSPB is looking to recruit a Field Officer to carry out research on Gough Island. This work
will primarily include 1) field and captive trials assessing House Mouse Mus musculus
behaviour and the effectiveness of eradication measures, and 2) the monitoring of the two land
birds (Gough Moorhen Gallinula comeri and Gough Bunting Rowettia goughensis).
In addition, it will also involve 3) a limited amount of seabird monitoring, and likely 4) the
control of an invasive plant Sagina procumbens. Please note, this is a
substantial change to the Field Officer work programme on Gough Island compared to previous
years, with the focus no longer being on seabirds. The post holder will work alongside
and report to a Field Team Leader. Both posts will be for a period of ~15 months, consisting of
pre-deployment training and ~13 months deployment on Gough Island (precise shipping schedules
vary from year to year).

Gough Island (6,500 ha) lies in the South Atlantic and forms part of the UK Overseas Territory
of Tristan da Cunha, widely considered as one of the world’s most important seabird breeding
sites. 

This position offers a unique opportunity for a highly motivated and disciplined individual
with relevant fieldwork skills and a keen interest in wildlife and eradication techniques for
invasive non-native species, who can adapt well to small island living in a challenging and
remote sub-Antarctic environment. 

Work can be very intense, with frequent long hours of fieldwork and data entry and management,
so it is important to be well organised. Data are managed using databases and checked by
creating reports on a monthly basis, observing deadlines at frequent intervals.

The successful applicants for the Field Officer and Field Team Leader positions will be joining
the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) over-wintering team of seven
meteorologists and support staff, bringing the total team size to nine people. The successful
applicants will be required to work within the requirements of SANAP’s over-wintering teams,
including sharing cooking and cleaning duties in communal living quarters. Moreover,
applicants should be aware that internet access on the island is limited, and a service cannot
be guaranteed – there may be long spells (months) with no internet access. There are
satellite phones for emergency use.

The ideal candidate will be able to cope with the above tasks and living arrangements and will
be confident in remote and challenging field conditions. Applicants should have good awareness
of safety issues and be comfortable living in close quarters with other people from a diverse
range of cultures. The successful applicant will be highly driven, self-motivated, and able to
work unsupervised whilst following management decisions from a remote setting. 

Due to the isolated nature of these contracts, we welcome applications from candidates across
the two positions (Field Team Leader/Field Officer) who are already known to one another,
although this is by no means essential.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience: 

1. A science degree or equivalent experience in a relevant subject, including the ability to
   implement scientific methodology accurately.
2. Knowledge of small mammal – preferably rodent – ecology and experience of monitoring,
   trapping, handling and captive trials.
3. Wild bird/animal handling and monitoring experience in the field with a focus on bird
   identification, bird banding/ringing.
4. Data collection/data management skills or a demonstrable ability to adhere to data
   collection, entry and management standards.
5. Interpersonal skills with the tact, diplomacy and respect to develop and maintain good
   relations with the SANAP Team and the Tristan da Cunha Conservation Department and wider
   Tristan community – i.e. an ability to live and work in a very small team from a diverse range
   of cultures at a remote location for a prolonged period.
6. Knowledge of practical requirements for ensuring health and safety whilst working in
   challenging field conditions.
7. Able to work in extreme conditions, sometimes for prolonged periods in the field, including
   by being physically fit and capable of carrying out fieldwork in very rugged terrain and
   inclement weather conditions in remote locations.
8. Proficiency in standard software packages (MS Office), fluency in written and spoken
   English language.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience: 

1. Experience in MS Office Access and R statistical software. 
2. Proven ability to present research effectively in written form.
3. Willingness to generate materials for communications purposes (e.g., photography of
   wildlife / fieldwork, writing blogs).
4. Experience of the ethics and regulations governing the use of animals in research (e.g., UK
   Home Office standards, or equivalent).
5. Knowledge of wilderness survival techniques and First Aid.
6. Practical/technical skills (e.g., carpentry, construction, camera trapping).
7. Ringing experience with valid BTO permit.

This is a Fixed-Term role until 31st October 2025 for 37.5 hours per week. The RSPB reserves
the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on
business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position mid-end of May 2024. For further
information please contact [email protected] or [email protected]

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and 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.