Job Title: Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels
Project Officer Argyll & Trossachs
Part-time – 21 hours; Fixed term to end May 2017;
(strong possibility of extension dependent on funding)
Location of Job / Carrochan, National Park Headquarters BallochDept/Region / Conservation: Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Project
Reporting to / Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Project Manager
Overall purpose of the job
Lead on the implementation of the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Phase 3 project across Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and parts of Stirling and Argyll, to develop landowner and volunteer engagement in work to protect red squirrels in priority landscapes from replacement by grey squirrels and from squirrelpox disease.Main duties
Grey Squirrel Control· Co-ordinate the control of grey squirrels in strategic areas Argyll & Trossachs to create an integrated grey squirrel control network as outlined in the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project plan.
· Line manage and assist in the annual appointment of a seasonal grey squirrel control officer and co-ordinate his/her activities.
· Recruit land owners/ managers to access Scottish Rural Development Programme funding contracts for grey squirrel control to benefit red squirrels in critical gaps in the networks and support them to manage their contracts and report their trapping figures.
· Review and update the existing Project trap-loan scheme to assist land managers to carry out grey squirrel control in a co-ordinated control network in Argyll & Trossachs.
· Co-ordinate the recruitment, training and activities of grey squirrel control volunteers.
Squirrelpox Surveillance
· Co-ordinate the collection of grey squirrel blood samples for Squirrelpox testing in accordance with the Project’s squirrelpox monitoring strategy.
· Contribute to the evolution of a Squirrelpox sampling scheme in the likely ingress routes from the south.
· Develop and distribute information to local councils, country parks, landowners and other relevant stakeholders about the likelihood of the arrival of Squirrelpox in the region and the actions needed to protect red squirrels.
Distribution Surveys
· Prepare materials and liaise with volunteers to prepare for the Spring 2017 hair-trap surveys in accordance with the SSRS programme to monitor broad trends in squirrel abundance and distribution, and identify hair samples.
· Promote the recording of squirrel distribution records in Argyll & Trossachs; liaise with Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park and Forest Enterprise to contribute their squirrel distribution records to the SWT Biodiversity Data Officer for universal access.
Community Engagement
· Seek to set up self-sustaining communities of landowners and individuals taking responsibility for the protection of red squirrels wherever they occur in the project’s target areas and support their activities. Continue to support existing groups.
· Provide talks, guided walks and attend events and undertake publicity to promote conservation of red squirrels to the wider community and to encourage recording and reporting of squirrel sightings.
· Produce promotional literature and updates for the project website and Facebook page and for the Park’s publications as required.
Reporting
· Ensure collection and submission of high quality records on trapping effort and control totals, survey results, landowner co-operation, squirrel distributions and other key information and report these quarterly to the SWT Knowledge & Evidence Officer.
· Contribute to the development of science-based recommendations on the intensity and location of grey squirrel control effort needed to prevent grey squirrels from expanding their range north wards of the Highland Line.
· In Demonstration Area ensure full collection of all trapping data; across the rest of the region work towards obtaining full data from participants wherever possible.
Key internal & external contacts
· SSRS Project Manager, the SSRS Data Officer and the SWT Knowledge & Evidence Officer· SSRS seasonal Grey Squirrel Control Officer.
· SSRS Project Officers for Tayside, South Scotland and North East Scotland
· The Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Red Squirrel Working Group: liaise with and organise annual meetings.
· Landowners, woodland managers and gamekeepers
· National Park Ecologists, SNH, FCS, SLE, RSPB Scotland, Red Squirrel Survival Trust
Personal specification
Essential Qualifications· Degree or equivalent vocational qualification in ecology/countryside management or related discipline.
Essential Experience
· Minimum two years previous experience in a relevant field and proven ecological field skills
· Experience in recruiting, motivating, training and supporting volunteer groups and individuals to undertake active conservation work
· Experience of project development and implementation
· Experience working countryside rangers, gamekeepers and land managers
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
· Working knowledge of wildlife ecology and conservation, especially mammal population management
· Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to communicate with colleagues, stakeholders and the wider public
· Highly motivated and able to motivate others
· Good organisational and reporting skills: Ability to plan and deliver work to deadlines and to monitor progress against targets
· Ability to work on own initiative and manage own time-table with minimal supervision
· Ability to access and work in woodland sites, some of which are remote
· Full clean driving licence
· Competent and experienced in using Microsoft Excel
· Willing to work some unsocial hours
Advantageous
· An aptitude for collating varied datasets with the drive and focus to see that project targets on data collection are met.
· Staff management experience
· Familiarity with Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park area, Stirling and south Argyll
· Experience in the everyday use of mapping software
· Experience of mammal population management
· Knowledge of current legislation relating to mammals
· Knowledge of forestry/woodland management or practical woodland management skills
· Experience in PR and working with the media
Author / Mel Tonkin / Date / 22 August 2016
Position / Project Manager Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels