The Role:

As Northeast Coordinator, you will be at the forefront of an unprecedented conservation initiative: the confirmed eradication of grey squirrels from Aberdeen and the surrounding Shire. This ground-breaking effort will set a precedent as the first eradication of an invasive grey squirrel population on mainland Britain, attracting significant scientific and public interest.

You will work closely with a collaborative project team, partner agencies, and stakeholders, with a focus on confirmation monitoring, biosecurity, partnership working, and long-term programme sustainability. This is an opportunity to be part of a vital initiative working to protect and promote red squirrel populations, ensuring their sustainable long-term future in our landscapes.

Main objectives:

You will coordinate and oversee the actions required to achieve this ambitious goal, including coordination of the transition through the stages of the Confirmation Phase and into long-term Biosecurity Phase management. This will include supporting monitoring activities, responding appropriately to potential grey squirrel sightings, collaborating with partners and the development and implementation of a transition plan for long term sustainability

Key responsibilities include coordination and oversight of the Northeast team activities including line management, and creating national activity guidance documents to disseminate proven practices and lessons learnt in Northeast.

The successful candidate will have:

• A relevant degree in ecology (or similar).
• At least two years’ relevant experience in wildlife ecology or conservation.
• Ability to demonstrate strong leadership and staff management skills.
• Proven experience in developing and managing conservation projects.
• Expertise in ecological survey design, data collection and analysis.
• Excellent written communication skills along.
• Keen interest in dissemination of best practice through creating supportive guidance documents.

Please click here to review the full job description.

This role requires an individual that likes working outdoors, with experience in mammal control work, who is approachable and enjoys interacting with people. 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 the Scottish Borders.

Main objectives:

Delivering grey squirrel control, including supporting grey squirrel control volunteers and Red Squirrel Networks in the SSRS Priority Areas for Red squirrel Conservation (PARCs). The role covers the Scottish Borders with the main areas of responsibility being Peebles and the Tweed Valley to Selkirk and surrounding areas. This includes the wider Tweedale PARC and northern parts of the Central Borders PARCs.

This includes:

• Carrying out targeted and strategic grey squirrel control in agreed areas according to the SSRS project’s Standard Operating Procedures.
• 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 of Local Dispatcher, Volunteer Grey Squirrel Officers and Rapid Response Monitors.
• Providing trapping and despatch services as required.
• Where required, carry out monitoring to assess squirrel presence e.g. feeder box camera traps
• 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.
• 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 have:

• 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.
• Good understanding of conservation principles, practices and legislation.
• 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.
• Knowledge of forestry/woodland management and native tree species and familiarity with the town of Peebles and Tweeddale and Central Borders PARCs would be advantageous.
• There may occasionally be a requirement to work out of normal working hours.
• You must possess a full clean driving licence.