Jobs in Castle Douglas and Crocketford, Dumfries and Galloway

Change Mental Health is a leading national mental health charity providing unique support to people with severe and enduring mental ill health. With over 50 years’ experience across Scotland, they believe people affected by poor mental health and illness deserve the highest quality of support in the community and that every person has the right to be valued and to share in the opportunities, challenges, and joys of everyday life.

The charity’s goal is to change mental health services for the better: to make them more accessible, more people centered and of a higher quality. Change Mental Health want to do exactly what their name suggests; to change the stigma around mental health and mental illness, so that more people can access the support they need.

Fundraising at Change Mental Health is highly relational and deeply people focused. This brand new Fundraiser role offers the chance to build meaningful relationships with supporters, volunteers, community groups and businesses, many of whom are motivated by personal connections to mental health. Each week in the Fundraiser role will be different, and much of the role takes place outside the office, including attending events, meeting fundraisers, visiting corporate partners and representing Change Mental Health across Scotland.

This role could suit someone with experience within a fundraising team who is looking to broaden their scope, work in a national charity or work for a cause thats positively impacting mental health.

The Role:

The Grey Squirrel Control Officer will contribute to a programme of targeted grey squirrel control to protect key populations of Scotland’s red squirrels, in accordance with the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels plan to protect red squirrels in priority landscapes in South West Scotland. This role requires an individual with experience in mammal control work that enjoys working outdoors, who is approachable and enjoys interacting with people.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Delivering grey squirrel control, including supporting grey squirrel control volunteers and Red Squirrel Networks in the SSRS Priority Areas for Red squirrel Conservation. The role covers the South West of Scotland with the main areas of responsibility being Dumfries town and surrounding area, including local Priority Areas for Red squirrel Conservation.

Specifically this includes:

1. Carrying out targeted and strategic grey squirrel control in agreed areas according to the SSRS project’s Standard Operating Procedures.

2. Working collaboratively with other Grey Squirrel Control Officers, area volunteer group(s) and external organisations. This includes assisting with training new volunteers to take on the roles o monitoring and control activities.

3. Provide opportunities for new trainees to work with you on your trap-rounds to ensure they are capable of working to SSRS standards on private or publicly-held land and understand the principles of trapping for grey squirrel management.

4. Where required, carry out monitoring to assess squirrel presence e.g. feederbox camera traps

5. Work with the Lead Control Officer to deliver training sessions, where required, to new SSRS staff, volunteers and/or land managers in all aspects of best practice grey squirrel control, Rapid Response Monitoring and Squirrel Pox Sampling techniques.

6. Assist the SSRS Lead Control Officer and SSRS Communications Officer, as needed, in responding to enquiries from the public regarding grey squirrel control for red squirrel conservation.

The successful candidate will:

The successful candidate will possess an SVQ/NVQ level 2 or equivalent in Game and Wildlife Management or related discipline or relevant experience of game keeping, invasive/non-native mammal control or pest control. A good understanding of conservation principles, practices and legislation would also be desirable as would the ability to keep and maintain accurate records in Word and Excel.

Relevant previous experience is essential, together with experience working with landowners, gamekeepers, foresters and the public. A knowledge of forest and native tree species and familiarity with the Dumfries area would be advantageous.

There may occasionally be a requirement to work out of normal working hours.

You must possess a full clean driving licence.

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

Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a partnership project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and supported by project partners and the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.

About us

For more than 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. The Trust manages a network of over 100 wildlife reserves across Scotland and is a member of the UK-wide Wildlife Trusts movement.