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Biosecurity Officer - Scotland and NE England

  • Full time
  • £28,420 – £31,529
  • Scotland and NE England (Flexible/Hybrid)
  • Closing 12th January 2023


  • Advertised from 4th January 2023
  • 37.5 hours per week. Contract: 5 months fixed-term.
  • Pension, Life Assurance, 26 days annual leave
  • Reference: DEC20228315

Role

Biosecurity for LIFE is a UK-wide project set up by the RSPB, National Trust, and the National Trust for Scotland to protect our internationally important seabird islands from introduced mammalian predators, a major threat to ground-nesting seabirds. The project is working with conservation organisations, boat operators, island communities and volunteers to develop and implement biosecurity checks and measures, and has delivered extensive education and awareness-raising activities to promote biosecurity and the simple things anyone travelling to islands can do to help safeguard our seabirds.

This role is based in Edinburgh with occasional travel across Scotland and the rest of the UK, and involves working with a range of individuals from different age groups and diverse backgrounds.

What's the role about?

The Biosecurity for LIFE project is entering its transition phase into a maintenance programme, having developed comprehensive plans with biosecurity island managers and communities, and raised awareness of biosecurity with thousands of industry and island visitors and communities. The purpose of this role is to empower these new biosecurity heroes to look after our islands and seabirds beyond the project’s lifetime.

You will support island managers, volunteers and communities in Scotland and NE England to commit to their biosecurity plans and implement their checks and measures. You will lead on recruiting, developing and supporting a network of up to 160 volunteers across the UK to respond to biosecurity incursions with the other Biosecurity Officers in Wales, SW England, Northern Ireland, Shetland and Orkney. You will manage the distribution incursion hub in Edinburgh, ensuring the network of up to 7 UK incursion hubs are equipped and response ready.

This could be an ideal secondment opportunity.

What we need from you

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours

  • Experience of managing volunteers and setting clear work priorities.
  • Experience of remote field work either on islands or for biosecurity surveillance or incursion responses.
  • Proven ability to advocate a position and influence others to negotiate desired outcomes.
  • Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), including the ability to speak confidently and cogently to a variety of audiences.
  • An ability to work well independently and as part of a dispersed team.
  • Competent user of MS Office programmes.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours

  • Knowledge of the ecology, species and habitats of mammalian predators and/or island seabirds.
  • Effective project management skills.
  • Experience of developing and supporting a volunteer network.

Application notes

To apply, please visit our website

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.

The closing date is the 12th of January 2023 at 9 am.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 18-19 January.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

No agencies please.