Conservation Detection Dog Handler

Location: Orkney Native Wildlife Project – Kirkwall Office

Salary: £30,075.00 - £32,108.00 Per Annum

Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 34 days' Annual Leave (Inc Bank Holidays)

Contract: Fixed-Term until 31st December 2029

Hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week

The Orkney Native Wildlife Project aims to safeguard the unique and internationally important native wildlife of Orkney and the benefits it provides for local people and the economy by addressing the threat it faces from an invasive non-native predator: the stoat. Stoats threaten the Orkney vole, and many birds including hen harriers, short-eared owls, red-throated divers, waders and seabirds. It is therefore essential to remove stoats from Orkney to prevent significant and long-term negative impacts on Orkney's native wildlife.

The detection dog team consists of a close-knit team of eight handlers and ten detection dogs.

What's the role about?

Stoat detection dogs are an integral part of the project. We are looking for experienced conservation detection dog handlers. You will be supplied with one or two trained stoat detection dogs and will be responsible for their welfare, but you will be supported for their care and maintenance. The purpose of this role is to support the stoat eradication operation and biosecurity activities across the Orkney Islands and at ports on mainland Scotland, including advocacy/media work as required.

The project is a partnership between RSPB Scotland, NatureScot and Orkney Islands Council, and beside partner contributions, is generously funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), EU Life and Nature Restoration Fund (NRF).

Key tasks include:

• The homing, day to day care, welfare, and ongoing training of one or two stoat scat detection dogs.
• Performing searches for signs of stoats for biosecurity on islands presumed to be stoat-free.
• Performing search and track operations as part of the eradication in collaboration with the Trapping Team.
• Collaboration, and working the dogs with members of the trap team who are trained to search with the dogs.
• Close and careful communication with landowners to access permission to perform dog searches.
• Contributing towards protocols, methodologies and welfare documents relating to the conservation detection dog team.
• Close liaison with port authorities and hauliers, in collaboration with the project Biosecurity Manager. At times this may involve working 'out of hours' or at one of the mainland Scotland ports connecting with Orkney.
• Providing dog demonstrations to community groups in collaboration with other members of the project.
• Working with the Communications Manager to provide content for publicity using the dogs.

What we need from you:

Essentials:

• Experience of handling a working dog, ideally in detection work.
• Strong navigational skills including GPS use and ability to read OS maps.
• Comfortable walking long distances over difficult terrain and working for prolonged periods in the field.
• Willing to undertake surveys independently on remote islands, including overnight stays.
• Ability to use own initiative to solve day-to-day problems in the field.
• Willing to work flexible hours, be self-motivated and work efficiently within a defined work plan.
• Able to work positively and collaboratively within a team.
• Skilled use of Microsoft office and ability to accurately collect and manage field data.
• Verbal communication skills to develop and maintain good relations with colleagues, landowners, local communities and members of the public.
• Full Drivers Licence valid for use in the UK.

Desirables:

• Experience of using GIS software.
• Experience working in nature conservation.
• Excellent wildlife identification skills.

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

Closing date: 23:59, Mon, 28th Jul 2025

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from early August. We reserve the right to close this advert at any time.

If you would like to apply and find out more about this position, please click the apply button to be directed to our website. As part of this application, you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form where you will have the opportunity to explain how you meet the criteria above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature's side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

No agencies please.