Job vacancy: RSPB Assistant Investigations Officer, Wales

A rare opportunity to join the dynamic RSPB’s Investigations team on the front line, tackling illegal raptor persecution and other crimes against birds in Wales.

[Photo: an illegally killed sparrowhawk being retrieved by an RSPB Investigations Officer. Image by Guy Shorrock]

Here’s the job spec from the RSPB:

Assistant Investigations Officer

Location: Bangor, Wales

The illegal killing of the birds of prey is a stain on the UK’s reputation. It affects almost all of our raptor species, and particularly impacts those of high conservation concern such as the hen harrier and peregrine.

This role is working within a dedicated and unique team combating this issue alongside partners including the Police and statutory agencies.

You will be on the front line, following up reports of dead birds, monitoring the nests of some of our rarest breeding species or carrying out targeted fieldwork in areas with a history of criminal activity.

You will develop relationships with volunteer raptor fieldworkers to monitor the nests and roosts of priority raptors in target areas of known persecution (including poisoning of other species). You will also organise monitoring of hen harrier nests to identify suitable candidate broods for satellite-tagging, which will be undertaken under licence by a qualified ringer.

You will liaise with Natural Resources Wales area teams to ensure that measures are taken to protect rare breeding raptors, particularly on designated sites

You will raise the profile of priority raptors in Wales, through local community talks and media, so being able to communicate in Welsh will be an advantage.

You need to be robust, persistent, focussed, able to work in pressured situations and have excellent bird identification skills.

You will frequently be required to work unsociable hours, in remote upland environments where excellent navigation skills, an awareness of lone working procedures and health & safety are essential.

Experience of upland conservation issues, raptor monitoring projects, including using satellite transmitters, and intelligence handling would be beneficial.

This is a rewarding job, in a small team that makes a big difference.

The successful applicant will need to be based in Wales and prepared to travel throughout the country and occasionally farther afield.

Salary starting at £19,602 to £21,236 per annum

Hours: Full time
Contract: 12 months

Application closing date: 14 February 2020
Interview date: 27 February 2020

For further details and the application forms please click here