Biosecurity For Scotland Officer (Fixed-Term)

Following in the footsteps of the successful Biosecurity for LIFE project, which is coming to an end this July, is the exciting new Biosecurity for Scotland initiative funded by the Nature Recovery Fund. Biosecurity for Scotland will work with key stakeholders across Scotland to build with, the lead of RSPB Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland and NatureScot, a lasting island biosecurity partnership that will take forward an ambitious national island biosecurity programme.
The aims of Biosecurity for Scotland and the long-term programme are to put in place and maintain cost-effective biosecurity systems utilizing innovative technology, conservation detection dogs and citizen science to permanently reduce the threat introduced non-native predators pose to seabirds breeding on Scotland’s islands. We want to see biosecurity part of business-as-usual on seabird islands and a community of stakeholders actively engaged in biosecurity implementation, supported by a well-resourced team of biosecurity experts and trained biosecurity volunteers.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Biosecurity for Scotland team as a Biosecurity officer – to lead on, support, coordinate and way assist site managers, island residents and businesses, volunteers and more in biosecurity implementation across 38 unique seabird islands or island groups around Scotland. This role will require travel to seabird islands around Scotland, including some remote ones.
What's the role about?
The main purpose of this role is to provide expert advice and support to island managers, residents, businesses and volunteers engaged in biosecurity implementation, and to support the Biosecurity coordinator on delivering a programme of public engagement, awareness-raising and training activities.
The main areas of delivery for this role are to:

• Support other staff/external parties that are embedding existing and new techniques and systems to enhance efficiency, enable research or experimentation relevant to island biosecurity
• Provide technical expertise and analysis of the external context to ensure standards/guidance as well as strategy/priorities are developed in line with business need and industry trends.
• Support effective stakeholder management that facilitates collaborative external and internal relationships with appropriate stakeholders.
• Help deliver the awareness-raising and engagement activities of Biosecurity for Scotland
• Develop own skills and capabilities within island biosecurity to achieve high performance, celebrating successes and promoting inclusivity.
• Contribute to preparing papers and reports and oversee timely reporting of biosecurity data in order to enable oversight of implementation.
• Apply legal, regulatory, organisational policy & frameworks and best practice standards within island biosecurity and provide assistance to apply these as needed.

Essential Knowledge, Skills And Experience

• Ability to plan or schedule own work days, and to respond to changing pressures or requirements.
• Excellent knowledge of seabird predator ecology, species and habitats
• Experience of working independently and resolving unforeseen issues and challenges, including unexpected changes to plans and schedules.
• Basic understanding of relevant legal requirements, organisational policies and procedures relative to island biosecurity and vertebrate control, and the quality outputs and standards required.
• Technical knowledge and experience in island biosecurity and invasive species management.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing to ensure effective reporting and customer service.
• Effective planning, organising and prioritizing of work load.
• Basic analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Proficient user of technology including mobile phone apps.

Desirable Skills, Knowledge And Experience

• Initiative and judgement to resolve problems independently.
• Detailed knowledge of relevant systems, equipment, processes and procedures including software packages.
• Working experience of island biosecurity, citizen science, or managing conservation volunteering programmes
• Experience of and ability to understand and interpret the requirements of staff and volunteers.

This is a Fixed-Term, Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week. 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.
Interviews for this position will be held from 6th June 2023. For further information please contact [email protected]
As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.
We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.
The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.