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.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust is looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic Reserve Officer to help plan, coordinate and deliver practical land conservation management across 4 wildlife reserves across North East Scotland.

Working closely with colleagues, volunteers, contractors and local communities, you will deliver habitat management, ecological monitoring, volunteer leadership and public engagement activities that support the conservation of some of Scotland's most valuable wildlife sites.

Main objectives:

• Plan, deliver and report on practical land management works.
• Assess conservation land management options across a range of habitats and work with the Reserve Manager to produce management plans/statements for reserves.
• Undertake practical reserve management works (including coppicing, felling non – native trees, fencing, planting native trees, path work, invasive species control).
• Undertake and manage the maintenance of tools and equipment for relevant reserves, including machinery.
• Ensure all groundworks are assessed, and where relevant, safely remove (non-aerial) hazardous windblown or storm damaged branches or small trees.
• Assist with the development of new conservation projects on selected reserves.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety of all operations, including safe working practices, premises safety, and reserve safety.
• Carry out the annual programme of site risk assessments, formal reserve inspections and tree safety inspections on allocated reserves.

Reserves Area

The role covers 4 reserves:

• Gight Wood (majority of workload)
• Longhaven Cliffs
• Red Moss of Netherley
• Coulnacriag Meadow

The successful candidate will have:

• Relevant degree or N/SVQ Level 3 / 4 or equivalent relating to countryside management.
• Certificate for trailer, all-terrain vehicles or willingness to undergo relevant training to achieve this.
• 2 years of proven experience of planning, delivering conservation management work and volunteer supervision.
• Demonstrable experience in the safe use and maintenance of hand and power tools.
• Strong natural history knowledge and the ability to relate species and habitats to practical conservation management; specifically native woodlands, lowland peatbogs, wildflower meadows and riparian habitats.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Chainsaw operator’s certificates to Lantra Standards for crosscutting and maintenance, felling and processing of trees up to 380mm and processing uprooted and windblown trees (desirable).
• Use and maintenance of strimmer’s and brush cutters.
• Herbicide Qualifications PA1 and PA6 (desirable).

Why join us?

This is an excellent opportunity to make a direct contribution to nature recovery in Scotland while working across a diverse range of habitats and engaging with local communities, volunteers and partners.

Join us and help protect and restore Scotland's wildlife.