JOB OPPORTUNITY: Assistant ecologist, white-tailed eagle reintroduction project

FORESTRY ENGLAND : WHITE-TAILED EAGLE REINTRODUCTION PROJECT

SALARY: £26,534

SIX MONTH CONTRACT

CLOSING DATE: 3rd September 2023

JOB SUMMARY:

South England Forest District manages some 46,000 hectares of the public forest estate across West Sussex, Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset & South Wiltshire.  Much of the land is of high importance for nature conservation, supporting some 29,000 hectares (ha) deemed to be of national importance for wildlife of which approximately 28,000 ha are also designated as being of international importance for biodiversity as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Ramsar sites. The majority of the land managed by the District is also within areas designated for their landscape value, including 4,000 ha within AONBs and 31,500 ha across two National Parks.

The White-tailed Eagle project is a partnership with the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, to reintroduce this species back to the south coast of England. The project has a Natural England licence to release birds over a 5-year programme, which started in 2019.

The Assistant Ecologist will be assisting the Project Officer in all areas of their work, from engagement with groups and stakeholders about the project to management and care for the birds prior to release. They will also have a role to play in monitoring the birds that are already released. This is an exciting 6 month role to gain valuable experience in reintroductions.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Key Work Areas

• The post holder will help to deliver the reintroduction process, including feeding of the birds and monitoring pre and post release.
• They will support the Project Officer with information dissemination via a project website, social media and a programme of guided walks and talks.
• Liaise with stakeholders both on the Isle of Wight and on the mainland to ensure the success of the project.
• The post holder will be local to the Isle of Wight so that they can be on hand during the period when the birds are in cages at the release location and during post-release feeding.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Essential

• A good understanding of raptor ecology with on the ground practical experience.
• Experience or knowledge of monitoring birds in the field.

Desirable

• Preferably experience of working on a similar reintroduction project.
• Experience of working with landowners.
• Ability to demonstrate engagement with the public and local groups.

As part of the application process we will assess you on the following behaviours:

Making Effective Decisions

• Speak with the relevant people in order to obtain the most accurate information and get advice when unsure of how to proceed.

Communicating and influencing

• Actively listens, allowing others to fully express their opinion.
• Be an effective representative of the team.

Working Together

• Build, maintain and improve relationships with different stakeholders at the relevant level to understand differing views and issues.

Seeing the Big Picture

• Focus on the overall goal and intent of what you are trying to achieve, not just the task.
• Ability to communicate the wider context of the project to others.

For further details and information on how to apply, please click here.