Research Assistant – Orkney Native Wildlife Project

The Orkney Native Wildlife Project aims to safeguard the unique and internationally important
native wildlife of Orkney and the benefits it provides for local people and the economy by
addressing the threat it faces from an invasive non-native predator: the stoat. Stoats threaten
the Orkney vole, and many birds including hen harriers, short-eared owls, red-throated divers,
waders and seabirds. It is therefore essential to remove stoats from Orkney to prevent
significant and long-term negative impacts on Orkneys native wildlife.

Native wildlife monitoring is an integral part of the project and a comprehensive monitoring
programme is carried out each breeding season. We are looking for four enthusiastic, skilled
and experienced fieldworkers to carry out the monitoring work for the 2024 season.

The project is a partnership between RSPB Scotland, NatureScot and Orkney Islands Council, and
beside partner contributions, is generously funded by NLHF and EU Life

What’s the role about?

We are looking for four enthusiastic, skilled and experienced fieldworkers, to assist in
delivering a comprehensive programme of native wildlife surveys between April and July 2024.
The main aspect of the fieldwork is to carry out wader population surveys across 95 sites in
Orkney. Training/support are provided throughout the season. The role also involves a large
amount of lone-working, therefore an ability to show initiative and work responsibly in remote
environments is paramount.

Key tasks include: 

• Monitoring 95 sites across Orkney for wader populations using Brown & Shepard or
  O’Brien & Smith methodologies. 
• Undertaking skylark and meadow pipit transects. 
• Data entry and management. 
• Liaison with landowners to arrange survey land access. 
• Assist with ongoing productivity monitoring of waders (nest/brood finding and monitoring).
• Possible productivity monitoring of seabirds and raptors (hen harrier, merlin, and
  short-eared owl) where required. This will be assisting the RSPB to cover key areas. 

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Excellent bird identification skills and experience using survey methodologies mentioned in
  job description
• Experience of monitoring sensitive bird species, their nests and chicks, with a focus on
  waders. 
• Comfortable walking long distances over difficult terrain and working for prolonged periods
  in the field. 
• Willing to undertake surveys independently on remote islands, including overnight stays. 
• Good navigational skills including GPS use and ability to read OS maps. 
• Knowledge of, and adherence to, legal and practical requirements on protected species and
  habitats 
• Knowledge of health and safety in the field and for ensuring own health and safety,
  sometimes in challenging field conditions. 
• Ability to use own initiative to solve day-to-day problems in the field. 
• Willing to work flexible hours, be self-motivated and work efficiently within a defined
  work plan. Able to work positively and efficiently within a team. 
• Skilled use of Microsoft Office and ability to accurately collect and collate data sets. 
• Verbal communication skills to develop and maintain good relations with landowners and
  members of the public.

Additional information:

• This role will involve lone working and working in remote locations.
• This role will require occasional weekend, early morning and evening working so will need
  someone who is able to be flexible.

This is a Fixed term, Full time role for 37.5 hours per week, from March to July 2024. 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 from 22/01/2024. For
further information please contact [email protected] 

As part of this application process you will be asked to 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.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes.