Monitoring Officer - Cairngorms Connect and Cambridge Centre for Landscape Regeneration (Fixed Term)

Job Description

Set in a vast landscape of ice-hewn mountains, spectacular pinewoods, tranquil lochs, and wild, rushing rivers, Cairngorms Connect is the largest habitat restoration partnership in Britain. Over centuries, the needs of agriculture, commercial forestry and field-sports defined the patterns of land management here. Now, Cairngorms Connect is shifting the emphasis, making this inspiring place better for wildlife, and better for those who take joy from the wildlife and beauty of this extraordinary place. The partnership is working to expand the Caledonian pine forest to its natural limit, reinstate drained wetlands, naturalise rivers and restore huge tracts of peatland, to create an amazing place for nature - a home to eagles, wildcats, pine martens, ospreys, black grouse, ptarmigan, otters and curlews. For more information about Cairngorms Connect, visit www.cairngormsconnect.org.uk

Over the next two years, we are working with Cambridge Centre for Landscape Regeneration (https://www.clr.conservation.cam.ac.uk) to deliver a broad programme of research aimed at furthering our knowledge and understanding of how to regenerate the Cairngorms landscapes using cost-effective nature-based solutions, to deliver broad societal benefits alongside biodiversity recovery, climate mitigation and adaptation.

We are seeking a Monitoring Officer to carry out ecological monitoring and coordination of fieldwork. This will be a seasonal role, running from April to December 2024. You will contribute to the collection of monitoring data for a range of surveys, with a particular focus on the monitoring of atmospheric gases via detailed field surveys. You will spend the majority of your time in the field, but will also be responsible for desk-based tasks such as data entry, fieldwork preparation and coordination.

What's the role about?

Working closely with Cairngorms Connect, the University of Cambridge and RSPB colleagues, you will co-ordinate and enable effective data collection in the Cairngorms as part of a wide programme of research led by the Cambridge Centre for Landscape Regeneration and Cairngorms Connect, to inform conservation solutions in the area.

You will be responsible for liaising with collaborators from across the Cairngorms Connect partners and the University of Cambridge to ensure site access, data quality and health & safety standards are met across a wide range of projects, as well as building and maintaining effective relationships with external parties, including land-owners, site managers, and other researchers in the area.

Alongside this, you will conduct regular fieldwork in a range of habitats, including biodiversity surveys for insects, birds and plants, soil sampling and monitoring indices of carbon fluxes. You will be responsible for managing several large field datasets, as well as contributing to data management and analysis as required. Occasional weekend or evening work will be required.

Key skills and experience

• Experience working safely in remote outdoor environments is essential, preferably with relevant survey experience
• Qualified to degree level (or equivalent experience) in a science subject
• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong ability to work independently

This is a Fixed Term 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.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position online from 21st February 2024. For further information please contact Pip.Gullett@cairngormsconnect.org.uk or pip.gullett@rspb.org.uk

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.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship

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