Conservation Project Officer (Native Species Projects) - Highland Wildlife Park

Rzss; Kincraig; Sur place; GBP 26 000 - 27 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Salary £25,867–£26,514

Progression to £28,832

37.5? no, 34 days annual leave

Retail/Catering discounts

Healthcare plan

Employee Assistance Programme

Employer pension scheme

Staff membership to Highland Wildlife?

Résumé du poste

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is seeking a Conservation Project Officer for Native Species Projects at Highland Wildlife Park. This full-time fixed-term role supports the Conservation Manager (Field Operations) in delivering targeted field work and reporting on native species.

You will plan surveys, monitor biodiversity, manage data, and engage with partners and visitors while upholding animal welfare standards and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree-level in a relevant subject or equivalent experience in ecology/land management.
• Knowledge of native species and their ecological requirements.
• Awareness of good practice in animal welfare, handling, and biosecurity when working with native species.
• Experience planning and executing field conservation project work.

Responsabilités

• Contribute to and lead on conservation activities for native species in the wild, with data collection and reporting.
• Ensure high standards of animal welfare during fieldwork.
• Plan and execute biodiversity actions such as monitoring and threat mitigation.
• Present project work to visitors and engage with partners.
• Collaborate with external project partners and attend stakeholder meetings.
• Assist with planning field work, risk assessments, and data management.

Connaissances

Native species knowledge

Field conservation planning

Data handling & reporting

Formation

Degree in ecology/land management or equivalent

Description du poste

Conservation Project Officer (Native Species Projects) - Highland Wildlife Park

This is a full time fixed term role until March 2029

About us

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is a wildlife conservation charity with a bold vision: a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.

To effectively implement activities of the conservation department under direction of the Conservation Manager (Field Operations). Deliver targeted conservation project work in support of conservation department activities while developing understanding of conservation science and conservation project management skills. All in support of the RZSS's vision and mission.

Some of the things you’ll do:

• Contribute to and, at times, lead on aspects of the full range of activities related the conservation of released populations of native species in the wild, for example: conducting field surveys, communicating with stakeholders, conducting animal releases and threat mitigation and gathering data and contributing to written reports and scientific publications relating to these activities and.
• Help to ensure animal welfare conducted during fieldwork is of the highest standard, considering relevant legislation and best practice animal management.
• Plan and execute time sensitive biodiversity actions (e.g. monitoring / threat mitigation).
• Present aspects of conservation project work to visitors to off show areas at Highland Wildlife Park (e.g., project partners, patrons etc.).
• Communicate and collaborate with external project partners, maintaining good relationships and attending project stakeholder meetings where required.
• Participate in planning conservation work delivery, including logistics and methodological development.
• Contribute to project reporting, including preparing data and assisting with authoring report sections.
• Assist with planning specific aspects of field work and contributing to relevant risk assessments.
• Assist with collecting and managing scientific monitoring data with high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Responsible for ordering, maintenance, and servicing of project equipment where relevant.
• Engage with the organisation’s appraisal system, and demonstrate commitment to our values, behaviours, and your continuous personal development.
• Ensure compliance with RZSS’s policies, procedures, and guidelines, together with all relevant regulatory and statutory requirements.
• Perform other reasonable duties and/or projects as directed by your manager.

What we are looking for:

• Educated to degree-level in relevant subject or has equivalent qualification/experience (e.g. in ecological or land management sector)
• Knowledge of native species and their ecological requirements
• Awareness of good practice in animal welfare, handling, and biosecurity when working with native species.
• Good knowledge of native species and the ecological processes related to wider ecosystem restoration/improvement.
• Sound understanding of conservation issues involved in native species recovery.
• Good understanding of Scottish and UK conservation issues within a global context.
• Experience of planning and executing field conservation project work.

What you’ll get in return:

• Starting salary of £25,867 to £26,514 based on experience with the opportunity to progress to £28,832 per annum.
• 37.5 working week (may require some evening/ weekend working on occasion)
• 34 days annual leave
• Discount in both retail/catering
• Access to a healthcare plan
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), that provide 24-hour counselling and support, including health, legal, finance, wellbeing and family advice
• Employer contributory pension scheme
• You will receive a staff membership which will give you (and family/friends) free (and discounted) entry to both the Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo as well as a number of other Zoo’s across the UK.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK and Basic Disclosure check/PVG Check if required for the role.

Please note that shortlisting of applications and interviews for this position will take place while the advert is live. The advert will close once a successful candidate has been found.

Interested candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications, as soon as possible.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is an equal opportunities employer. Our policy is to recruit a diverse workforce following the guidelines of the Equality Act 2010.

We offer a range of great benefits which you can read about here .

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