Research Assistant

Location – Orkney

Hours – 37.5 hours per week – Full time.

Salary – £16,504 - £17,880 per annum

Basis – 4 months – Fixed Term Contract

Closing date – 11 February 2019

Interview Date – 22 and 26 February 2019

We are looking for three enthusiastic field workers with exceptional communication and people skills to deliver species surveys this spring/summer for the Orkney Native Wildlife Project.

You will be responsible for helping deliver the scientific monitoring aspect of the “Citizen Science and Native Wildlife Monitoring” component of the project which aims to increase knowledge of species population trends in Orkney through delivering native species surveys across the county. Focus species/groups will include the Orkney vole, meadow pipit, skylark, waders, birds of prey and seabirds. This data will help provide a baseline of data before the stoat eradication begins.

Other key tasks will include:

- Delivering a schedule of survey work between late March and late July.

- Following strict survey methodologies.

- Working alongside the Conservation Scientist to ensure that any new data collected is accurate and able to be analysed.

- Ensuring land access permissions have been granted for any monitoring work.

- Undertaking surveys: Orkney vole transects (April), meadow pipit / skylark transects (May and July), breeding wader monitoring (site-based) (April – July), and wader nest monitoring (using trail cameras) (April – May) and assessing brood productivity.

- Being responsible for data management and collation.

- Reporting any issues to the ONWP Senior Research Assistant.

You will have excellent identification skills and experience undertaking surveys to monitor a range of species. You will be a patient person with great observation skills. You will have excellent attention to detail and the ability to create and maintain accurate records. You will have the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences in an appropriate and sensitive manner.

The post holder will need to be physically fit, capable of working under difficult conditions and be available to work flexible hours.

For further information and to download an application pack, please visit our website @ https://www.rspb.org.uk/about-the-rspb/about-us/rspb-job-vacancies/vacancies-listing/