Salary: Work placement with accommodation provided, we will help to assist in the securing part time paid work in parallel to the placement
Closing date: Friday 28th February 2020
Location: Alderney
This is a focused work placement where you will be expected to take on significant levels of responsibility including leading ecological surveys and reporting the results.
Background
The role also places you within a small and tightly knit team of staff and volunteers that make up a Wildlife Trust; with the opportunity to learn and develop a range of skills.
The Alderney Wildlife Trust (AWT) promotes the conservation of Alderney’s terrestrial and marine wildlife and associated habitats. The AWT manages several terrestrial reserves totalling over 100ha, a Ramsar site (over 800ha), more than 20km of footpaths, along with a handful of smaller sites. You will work alongside the existing staff team developing and implementing policy for sites and delivering practical conservation. This work is supported by a well-established group of long-term resident conservation volunteers.
Duties
• Assisting the Conservation Officer with implementing the conservation strategy for the terrestrial reserves including;
o Grazing herd management
o Habitat management and scrub/bracken control
o Invasive/noxious species control
• Conducting a range of ecological surveys for the reserves and use these results to inform conservation action; in conjunction with the Conservation Officer
• Help establish a new GPS tracking study on Alderney’s hedgehog population
• Participating in national biological recording schemes such as the NBMP, UKBMS and BCT beewalks
• Assisting the Conservation Officer in maintaining the infrastructure of the reserves and buildings, including:
o over 20km paths throughout the island, using a range of handheld and tractor mounted equipment
o two bird hides on the Longis Reserve
o keeping the Essex Farm site in a safe and working condition
• Assisting with the running of twice weekly conservation volunteer sessions
• Assisting with other AWT activities and projects as required
Personal Specification
• A self-motivated, and focused person wanting to benefit from their time in this role.
• A background in Ecology/Conservation Management, minimum BSc or equivalent, or a year’s relevant work experience.
• Experience with designing and conducting ecological surveys
• Good knowledge of temperate terrestrial habitats
• An interest in conservation planning with an understating of habitat management and looking to develop these skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Good organisational skills and forward thinking.
• Ability to work independently.
• Flexibility and positivity.
• Full, clean driving licence.
Desirable experience:
• An understanding and some experience of Geographical Information Systems (ArcGIS or equivalent).
• Data analysis and report writing
• Small mammal survey experience, ideally with trapping/handling experience
• Use and maintenance of hand tools and power machinery.
• Working with and managing volunteers.
The structure of the work placement will be as follows:
• The placement includes one return flight or sailing from the UK
• Free accommodation at the AWT’s Essex Farm Field Centre (inclusive of private room, wi-fi access, shared kitchen, sitting-room and office facilities)
• The person undertaking this role will act as a full-time placement member of staff, with all the responsibilities and support this entails.
• The placement has a week’s induction and probation period, overseen by the AWT’s CEO. Placement staff will receive in house training on equipment including tractor, powerscythe, brushcutters and hand tools.
• The AWT will help to assist placement staff in securing part time paid work in parallel to their placement, to help cover their costs during the placement.
Downloads
| Filename | File size |
|---|---|
| application_form_-_conservation_ecologist_2020.doc | 81 KB |
| conservation_ecologist_-_2020.pdf | 395.82 KB |
Contact details:
How to Apply
Please provide your CV as well as completing the short application form and return it to admin@alderneywildlife.org.
If you would like further details regarding the role you can contact admin@alderneywildlife.org or call +44 (0) 1481 822935.
The AWT regrets that as a small charity it may not be able to respond to all applications upon receipt. Initial interviews will be undertaken by Skype or telephone. The successful candidates and all other applicants will be informed of the final decision as soon as possible. The successful candidate will be expected to commence the placement at the earliest possible opportunity.
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