At a Glance
- Tasks: Support wildlife conservation projects through administration, outreach, and field monitoring activities.
- Company: Join the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, a leading wildlife conservation charity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 34 days leave, healthcare plan, and free zoo entry for you and your friends.
- Other info: Fixed term role until March 2029 with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on wildlife recovery while gaining valuable experience in conservation.
- Qualifications: Degree in ecology or related field; knowledge of conservation issues is essential.
About Us
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is a wildlife conservation charity with a bold vision: a world where nature is protected, valued and loved. Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park are our gateways to the natural world through which people can experience nature. RZSS is the lead partner for Saving Wildcats, the first reintroduction project for wildcats in the UK dedicated to their recovery through captive breeding for release and threat mitigation. This role provides an exciting opportunity to join one of the UK's leading reintroduction projects and contribute long-term conservation for the species.
How you’ll contribute to our work
- Carry out a varied range of project support activities to ensure the smooth running of the Saving Wildcats partnership project, including administrative, financial, and project communications in support of RZSS’s vision and mission.
- Provide further support to key conservation department activities (e.g., community engagement events, field monitoring, ex-situ management, and invertebrate projects) alongside Saving Wildcats’ Outreach and Engagement Manager.
- This is a fixed term position, expected to last until 31 March 2029.
Responsibilities
- Support the Saving Wildcats Project with a full range of administration and support duties including: collation of weekly and monthly reports, coordination of external and internal meetings, planning outreach events, and field monitoring.
- Contribute to the preparation of relevant financial and technical reports.
- Perform a range of financial administrative services for the project in liaison with the Finance Department adhering to agreed timelines and standards.
- Work with other members of the conservation team to undertake operational delivery of field-based actions.
- Conduct tasks in support of the Saving Wildcats partnership e.g., arranging and attending meetings, taking minutes, processing payments, disseminating communications and reports, web page support, identifying and checking communications.
- Represent the project at external meetings and communicate with the public when necessary or as requested by line manager.
- Collect and manage key project data with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail (e.g., wildcat release paperwork).
- Coordinate volunteers and students.
- Coordinate materials ordering and stock control for the project, working to agreed procedures, budgets and standards.
Qualifications
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in ecology, biology, sociology or environment or social sciences related discipline.
- Sound knowledge and understanding of conservation issues involved in species recovery.
- Good understanding of Scottish and global conservation issues.
- Competent in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Proficiency in field work skills and fieldwork organisation.
- Experience using Adobe packages (e.g., Photoshop, InDesign).
- Experience of practical animal conservation techniques, equipment use, and data handling (e.g., animal handling, camera-trapping).
Benefits and Salary
- Starting salary of £25,867 to £26,514 based on experience with the opportunity to progress to £28,832 per annum.
- 37.5 hour working week (may require some evening/weekend work on occasion).
- 34 days annual leave.
- Discount in both retail and catering outlets.
- Access to a healthcare plan.
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing 24-hour counselling and support, including health, legal, finance, wellbeing and family advice.
- Employer contributory pension scheme.
- Staff membership for free or discounted entry to Highland Wildlife Park, Edinburgh Zoo and other zoos across the UK for you and your family/friends.
This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK and Basic Disclosure/PVG checks. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit applications ASAP. RZSS is an equal opportunities employer. Our policy is to recruit a diverse workforce following the guidelines of the Equality Act 2010. For applications, please apply on our website at https://www.rzss.org.uk/job-opportunities.
Conservation Project Officer - Project Support employer: British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of wildlife conservation in the beautiful settings of Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, RZSS provides generous benefits including a competitive salary, extensive annual leave, and access to a healthcare plan, all within a supportive and collaborative work culture that fosters professional growth and development in the field of conservation.
Contact Details:
British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Recruitment Team
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