3 x Trapper – Orkney Native Wildlife Project (Fixed-Term)

Orkney is famous for its landscape, its history, its culture, and its nature. The Orkney Native Wildlife Project (ONWP) aims to protect Orkney’s unique and globally important wildlife from an invasive non-native predator: the stoat. Stoats pose a serious threat to the Orkney vole, a species found nowhere else in the world, and many birds including hen harriers, short-eared owls, red-throated divers, waders, and seabirds. This wildlife supports Orkney’s thriving tourism industry and represents a crucial haven for species which are threatened elsewhere in the UK. It is essential that stoats are removed from Orkney before they do major damage to this unique wildlife.

The project works with hundreds of landowners in the local community to undertake the largest stoat eradication of an inhabited area anywhere in the world. We are implementing comprehensive biosecurity measures alongside the eradication, to reduce the risk of reinvasion and secure a long-term and sustainable legacy for the project. We also conduct wildlife monitoring throughout Orkney to understand the impact that stoats are having, and work with schools and the local community to enable and encourage wildlife conservation.

The posts will be based on the Orkney Islands (Mainland) and be predominantly field based. We are looking for an experienced mammal trapper with excellent organisation and communication skills to help deliver the stoat eradication operation for the ONWP. You will be joining an existing team of trappers and must be able to work with a professional attitude in a close-knit and diverse team.

As this is a field-based position you must be physically fit, able to walk considerable distances over challenging terrain, in all weathers up to five days per week and potentially carry heavy loads. You will be involved in:

• Checking, cleaning and rebaiting DOC200 kill traps across a network of over 7,000 traps on a regular cycle as part of a team.
• Trap deployment and removal.
• Implementing trap and vehicle maintenance schedules.
• Ensuring that all necessary trap field and maintenance data are collected and captured into a database.
• Assisting in stoat monitoring.
• Engaging with landowners to maintain and secure land access agreements across the Orkney Mainland and linked isles.
• Other tasks appropriate to the project as required.

You will enjoy being outdoors and be able to perform a repetitive task to a consistently high standard. You should be passionate about the natural world. You will be a focussed individual with attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records. You will be able to identify issues and risks as they emerge and communicate these effectively to your team. You will have the confidence and ability to inspire trust and support for the project, and an ability to win over hearts and minds and motivate people. You will be required to drive ONWP fleet vehicles and will have a full driver’s licence. You should also have experience of working with local communities in a collaborative and sensitive way because a key part of your role will be maintaining good relationships with landowners.

Essentials

• Understanding of the impact of invasive non-native species and how to manage their populations appropriately for the benefit of native wildlife.
• Ability to use own initiative to solve day-to-day problems.
• Able to work in extreme conditions, for prolonged periods in the field, including lone working in a variety of challenging terrains.
• Ability to be self-motivated, work efficiently within a defined work plan and have the flexibility to adapt to changing work practices as required.
• Practical recording skills of a standard that provides the highest quality data.
• Verbal communication skills to develop and maintain good relations with colleagues, landowners and members of the public.
• Demonstrable, transferable identification and practical field skills appropriate to the post (e.g. animal trapping, tracking, field skills such as navigation and map reading).
• Full driver’s licence or ability to access remote locations without public transport.

Desirables

• Relevant field skills or training appropriate to the post (i.e., use of trail cameras, knowledge and identification of field signs, use of conservation detection dogs, 4×4 driving experience).
• A degree in relevant subject or equivalent experience e.g. a degree in conservation biology or 1 year+ experience trapping in the field.
• Ability to use or become familiar with various computer software and apps e.g. Microsoft Office suite, mobile mapping apps.

These are fixed-term roles until 31 December 2027, full time roles at 37.5 hours per week. We reserve the right to extend or make these roles permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term. The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves.