At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage communities to protect Scotland's red squirrels through volunteer recruitment and conservation efforts.
- Company: Scotland's leading nature conservation charity dedicated to wildlife protection.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, meaningful work, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for community engagement and wildlife conservation.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and help save Scotland's iconic red squirrels.
- Qualifications: Relevant degree and experience in volunteer management and conservation principles.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 25000 £ per year.
Community Outreach Officer - Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels
Status: Full time (35 hrs/week), Fixed term (until 31st March 2028)
Salary: £25,000 per annum pending review
Location: Blairgowrie Office, Perthshire (working across the Central lowlands and Southern Highlands)
Closing date: 15th June 2026
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.
The Role:
The Community Outreach 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 recruiting, motivating, training, coordinating and managing community-based volunteers (groups and individuals) to undertake active conservation work.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
- Working closely with the Monitoring and Control Officers (MCOs)
- Supporting and expanding volunteer networks through volunteer recruitment and onboarding
- Data entry and digital records
- Engaging and building relations with key stakeholders, landowners and local authorities
- Providing community network support and communications, including identifying opportunities to engage difficult-to-reach people and new audiences in the Central Lowlands.
- Recruiting, training and supporting volunteers to carry out fortnightly feeder box monitoring surveys, ensuring they have the equipment and consumables required, and providing practical support and temporary survey cover as needed.
- Manage and coordinate the processing of monitoring samples and resulting data, including the analysis of hair samples to identify and record red squirrel, grey squirrel or pine marten detections and sharing results with volunteers.
- Engaging with and recruiting new landowners/managers to undertake grey squirrel control and monitoring on their land.
- Developing methodologies to ensure sustained engagement and data sharing to support independent controllers across the Highland Line region.
- Engaging and building relations with new and existing stakeholders to support the project.
- Leading strategic events, talks, and other activities to promote active community understanding and participation of red squirrel conservation in Scotland.
The successful candidate will:
- Possess a relevant degree
- Have experience of recruiting, motivating, training, coordinating and managing volunteers
- A good understanding of conservation principles, invasive non-native species management, wildlife practices and legislation
- Experience of working with landowners, gamekeepers, foresters and the public is desirable
- Experience with keeping and maintaining accurate records using Microsoft packages is essential and knowledge of ArcGIS would be useful
- There may occasionally be a requirement to work out of normal working hours
- You must possess a full clean driving licence and have use of a vehicle
Closing date: midnight Monday 15th June
Interview date: Thursday 25th June
Locations
Community Outreach Officer in Glasgow, North East employer: Scottish Wildlife Trust
As Scotland's leading nature conservation charity, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment that empowers our employees to make a meaningful impact on wildlife preservation. Located in the picturesque Blairgowrie Office, our team enjoys a strong sense of community, with ample opportunities for professional growth through hands-on conservation projects and engagement with local stakeholders. Join us in our mission to protect Scotland's unique wildlife while benefiting from a culture that values teamwork, innovation, and a shared passion for nature.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Outreach Officer in Glasgow, North East
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Scottish Wildlife Trust.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Scottish Wildlife Trust.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Scottish Wildlife Trust.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Scottish Wildlife Trust. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Community Outreach Officer in Glasgow, North East
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Scottish Wildlife Trust. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Community Outreach Officer, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Wildlife Trust
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Scottish Wildlife Trust. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
