Eradication Operations Manager – Orkney Native Wildlife Project

As the Eradication Operations Manager you will be based on Orkney and responsible for all
aspects of the delivery of the work programme to eradicate stoats from the islands. The
eradication team currently includes a team of trappers and conservation dog handlers who are
responsible for delivering an agreed eradication operation plan across 227 square miles using
legal and humane removal methods. This is a full-time, fixed-term position until the end of
2027. 

The project, a partnership between RSPB Scotland, NatureScot and Orkney Islands Council and
funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), EU life and the Nature Restoration Fund
alongside other funders and partner contributions, started in 2018 and is in the middle of its
implementation phase. Its purpose is to work with local communities and landowners to undertake
the stoat eradication operation in order to safeguard the unique and internationally important
native wildlife of Orkney and its thriving wildlife tourism industry. Stoats were first
reported in Orkney in 2010 and their presence threatens a variety of species including the
unique Orkney vole, hen harriers, short-eared owls, red-throated divers, waders and seabirds
which attract wildlife enthusiasts all year round making a significant contribution to the
local economy.

As the Eradication Operations Manager you will be accountable for: 

• Leading, managing and supervising the eradication team to deliver project objectives. 
• Coordinating and leading a team of conservation dog handlers to carry out routine
  biosecurity checks and respond to stoat incursions effectively. 
• Production of relevant project documentation to both report on and instigate change in the
  eradication work programme. 
• Ensuring all site operations are delivered in a safe and legally compliant manner. 
• Managing the eradication project budget against forecast, ensuring exceptions beyond
  tolerance are escalated to be approved 
• Ensuring that stakeholders (landowners and associated groups) are kept fully involved and
  informed to maintain support and comply with landowner agreements. 
• Machinery, vehicle and equipment maintenance, record keeping and systems management to
  ensure operator safety, legal compliance and efficiency. 
• Collection, collation and quality control of data to specified time-scales and requirements
  to enable analysis to be completed. 
• Collaborating with other projects to ensure expertise is shared. 
• Auditing fieldwork on the ground. 

Essential skills, knowledge and experience: 

• Practical experience and knowledge of tools and techniques available for the management of
  invasive non-native predators. 
• Experience of utilising conservation detection dogs.
• Demonstrable experience line managing staff with a key focus on an ability to set
  direction, ensure procedures are followed and maintain motivation. 
• IT literate including database and mapping programmes (Merlin or GIS) 
• An ability to produce clear written communications 
• Ability to lead change and work under pressure to deliver time sensitive outputs 
• Experience of working with local communities in a collaborative and sensitive way 
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to find creative solutions 
• Attention to detail and ability to understand financial systems 
• Experience of coordinating working groups and facilitating workshops 

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge of mustelid (stoat) biology and behaviour.
• Experience of working in remote and diverse island communities.

This is a Fixed-Term Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week until 31st December 2027. 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.

Interviews for this position will be held from 29th August 2024. For further information please
contact [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. 

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels
supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world
richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of
colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate,
sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled,
we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any
additional support you may need to complete your application. 

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. 

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have
a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.