Conservation Officer - North Highlands (Fixed-Term)

Job Description

The Highlands of northern Scotland, renowned for their awe-inspiring landscapes, ranging from coastal cliffs to one of the world’s largest blanket bogs, supports nationally and internationally important populations of numerous priority species including Black Grouse, Curlew, Common Scoter, and Hen Harrier.

The area faces huge development pressures, many of which are key in meeting the challenges of climate change. To meet the recent increases in the scale and impact of pressures and our ambition for positive change for nature, we are seeking an enthusiastic, dedicated individual to join our team in tackling these challenges.

This is an exciting and varied role at the cutting edge of influencing and delivering conservation in the Highland’s magnificent landscapes for its iconic habitats and species.

What's the role about?

The Conservation Officer will work as part of our Conservation Officer Team and in close liaison with our regional reserves and advisory staff. Much of the focus of the work is on RSPB’s Flow Country Priority Landscape Area, centred on RSPB's largest UK reserve at Forsinard.

Central to this role is the need to protect fragile peatlands, uplands and associated habitats and species in the North Highlands – working with partners to challenge inappropriate development and seeking opportunities to restore and enhance the habitats and species for which the North Highlands are world renowned.

The successful candidate will engage with a broad sector of the regulatory system, including working with Planning Authorities and developers, assessing impacts and influencing the outcomes of plans and proposals relating to renewable developments, forestry, aquaculture, energy grid infrastructure, land and water management.

The role will involve:

• Responding to planning and forestry casework where these threaten designated sites and priority species and where there is opportunity to influence the design and outcomes for nature.
• Building and nurturing relationships – working closely with partners, stakeholders, communities and other NGOs to support our aims to protect and restore the fragile habitats and species within the North Highlands.
• Supporting project development and the delivery of species recovery actions, through partnership working and direct conservation action for key species such as Common Scoter, Black-throated diver, Arctic tern, upland waders.
• Seeking opportunities to diversify how communities and individuals engage with our work; ensuring that it is as inclusive as possible.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Sufficient understanding of the ecology of the Highlands, land use, management and the relevant regulatory, policy and legislative mechanisms to identify appropriate responses and interventions.
• Proven ability to work effectively as a team player internally and externally to develop productive partnerships.
• Ability to rapidly analyse significant quantities of information, prioritise and balance a diverse workload often to tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and presentational) to confidently and cogently engage with a range of audiences - including landowners and managers, local politicians, members and volunteers who have different views
• Experience of working to survey, protect and/or manage important sites, species or habitats
• Competent user of core MS Office programmes
• Able to travel to remote locations in the UK without the use of public transport.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Understanding of the concept of landscape scale conservation and the pressures on land use in the North Highlands
• Experience of managing volunteers and setting clear work priorities
• Specialist conservation knowledge of peatland habitats and upland species
• Competency in use of GIS

This is a Fixed-Term, Full-Time contract until 31st March 2030. 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.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 3rd May 2023 at our Inverness office. For further information please contact alison.maclennan@rspb.org.uk

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and 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.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.