Biodiversity Enhancement Ecologist in Edinburgh

We are looking for an ecologist to drive forward Biodiversity Enhancement potential in Scotland, helping to ensure this plays a part in bolstering Scotland's ability to tackle the nature crisis. Sitting at the heart of our operational involvement with Biodiversity Enhancement, this role will help to ensure that Biodiversity Enhancement delivers bigger, better and more joined up nature restoration. The post holder will work closely with SSEN Transmission and RSPB Scotland teams to find, assess and establish a pipeline of projects for delivery on RSPB Nature Reserves. This is a 3-year post that can be based anywhere in Scotland and will involve travel across our Scottish reserves.

What's the role about?

The Core Responsibilities Of This Role Are:

• Assessing on-reserve projects against SSEN Transmission's Biodiversity Enhancement metric and RSPB Scotland's existing ecological priorities.
• Working closely with both organisations to develop suitable Biodiversity Enhancement projects that deliver priority nature conservation objectives, within the requirements of the Scottish planning system.
• Advising both organisations on ecological aspects of potential projects to maximise nature conservation benefit.
• Developing Habitat Management Plans and evaluating the expected ecological performance of projects.
• Identifying habitat management revisions through observation and analysis of ongoing management.

Essential Skills, Knowledge And Experience:

• Using net gain biodiversity metrics (ideally the SSEN metric) to design tangible habitat restoration projects, and knowledge of their application in a Scottish context.
• Use of UKHab (Phase 1, NVC also desirable) to carry out surveys on a broad range of habitat and species, to a consistent high standard.
• Developing habitat management plans to deliver ecological goals.
• Flexibility and solutions focused - a strong desire and ability to find a way forward when existing approaches aren't working.
• Collaboration in multi-disciplinary project teams and the skills required to maintain and develop good relations across many stakeholders.
• Personal time management and prioritisation to meet project deadlines and external partner requirements.
• Record keeping and data management using databases/mapping software such as ArcGIS, QGIS and Merlin (RSPB bespoke system), plus standard ecological survey software.
• Written and verbal communication skills to compile metric toolkit assessments, habitat management and restoration plans, monitoring reports, conveying technical information verbally to stakeholders.
• Ability to confidently and safely access and work in remote areas across Scotland.
• A UK driving licence is essential, as many reserves are not served by public transport.

Desirable Skills, Knowledge And Experience:

• Experience of nature reserve management planning and design of wildlife habitat creation projects, with a good understanding of conservation land management techniques and constraints.
• Knowledge of Scottish designation, wildlife and environmental legislation and planning policy.
• Design and delivery of habitat enhancement or restoration schemes.
• Monitoring and compliance checks for net gain delivery.
• Working within planning or development contexts.
• CIEEM membership FISC level of 3 and above.

Additional Information:

This is a Fixed-Term 3 year, Full time role for 37.5 hours per week. This role is home based, will involve lone working and occasional weekend and evening working. The RSPB works for a healthy environment for all, and we therefore expect you to take action in accordance with our Environmental Policy and objectives. Together we can make a positive difference to our world. 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.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on the 7th of April. For further information please contact us. As part of this application process, you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed 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 an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. 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.

We recommend reading through the full job description and candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.