Senior Monitoring and Control Officer (Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels) in Balloch

The vacancy As Scotland’s leading nature conservation charity, we welcome applications from individuals who are looking to join us in our journey of protecting Scotland’s wildlife for the future. From major species and landscape restoration projects, to managing our network of wildlife reserves and campaigning for nature, we work for Scotland’s wildlife year-round. We give a voice to wildlife through our policy and campaigning work, demonstrate best practice through practical conservation work, engage with people to take positive action through our education programmes and events, and so much more.

Status: Full time (35 hrs/week), Fixed term (until 31st March 2028)
Salary: £25,095 per annum
Location: National Park Headquarters, Balloch, with anticipated flexible working throughout the region of Loch Lomond, the Trossachs and Stirlingshire
Closing date: Wednesday 30th June, midnight

The Role: The Senior Monitoring and Control Officer will contribute to the protection of the Highland Line (HL), a coast-to-coast control zone which aims to prevent grey squirrels from moving north from Central Scotland into the red strongholds of the Highlands and Grampians. Progressed through a programme of targeted grey squirrel monitoring and control, you’ll help support the protection and expansion of red squirrel populations in accordance with the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels strategy. This role requires an approachable individual with experience in mammal control work and line management that enjoys working outdoors and interacting with people.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Delivering responsive and strategic grey squirrel control in the region primarily from the shores and islands of Loch Lomond, heading east to Callander and the Teith Valley to Doune;
• Line managing Monitoring and Control Officers (MCO’s) to carry out effective grey squirrel control and develop regional Rapid Response Monitoring networks in their regions;
• Coordinating the project trap-loan scheme.
• Specifically this includes:
• Line manage and support three MCO’s covering Argyll to Strathmore
• Carry out responsive and strategic grey squirrel control through trapping and targeted shooting in priority areas
• Coordinate and oversee the delivery and expansion of the project trap-loan scheme
• Coordinate and support the development and expansion of a regional Rapid Response Monitoring (RRM) networks
• Assist with recruiting and provide appropriate training to volunteers and external partners in grey squirrel control, monitoring and detection methods
• Where required, carry out Operational Monitoring (OM) to assess squirrel presence e.g. feeder boxes and/or camera traps
• Monitor the spread of the squirrel pox virus through the Central Lowlands by carrying out trapping and testing in sampling survey squares
• Collect and maintain records on monitoring and trapping efforts using Excel, ArcGIS and the SSRS Hub (database) and contribute to reporting on project performance.
• Encourage interest in local red squirrel conservation with relevant local communities through media and events

The successful candidate will have:

• A degree or equivalent qualification in ecology, countryside management or related discipline plus a minimum two years’ experience in a relevant field, including practical wildlife management/ invasive non-native species control.
• Experience in line management, oversight of operations and collecting, maintaining and reporting standardised ecological data is essential.
• Relevant previous experience of working with landowners, gamekeepers, foresters and the public and recruiting, training and supporting volunteers to undertake active conservation work is also essential.
• Good understanding of conservation principles, practices and legislation would be desirable.
• Knowledge of native tree species and familiarity with the Trossachs and Stirlingshire area would be advantageous.

There may occasionally be a requirement to work out of normal working hours. You must possess a full clean driving licence. You must possess or be willing and eligible to obtain a Firearms licence.