Scotland Project Officer – Dragonflies on the Bog

Reporting to: Scotland Conservation Officer, Development and Operations Manager, and the Dragonflies on the Bog Project Steering Committee

Responsible for: Project delivery of the Dragonflies on the Bog project, working extensively with landowners, partner organisations, contractors and volunteers

Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours). Fixed term contract from 1^st January 2025 to 31^st March 2026

Salary: £27,720

Location: Scotland – the post will be home based with extensive travel, mainly driving, around Scotland

Job Purpose: To work with the Scotland Conservation Officer to deliver the Dragonflies on the Bog project on time and to budget

About the project

You will be working on a Nature Restoration Fund project focusing on habitat and species restoration for three of Scotland’s rarest dragonfly species. Climate change and increased temperatures are having a worrying impact on Scottish dragonflies and their habitats. Three of the rarest species of Odonata in the UK are mainly located in Scotland – White-faced Darter, Azure Hawker and Northern Emerald.  The habitat of these three species are pools and bogs, both of which have been negatively affected by warming temperatures and recent droughts.

The project aims to achieve transformational changes needed to restore nature and biodiversity in peatlands and bogs, and improve the habitats and resilience of the rarest species of dragonflies. You will be working in partnership with private estates and landowners, national bodies and conservation organisations to improve habitat and enhance rare dragonfly populations, improving connectivity, as well as restoring natural freshwater flows to re-wet land.

Partnership and Project management

• Day to day management of the project, working with landowners and contractors to ensure planned works meet project specifications
• Supporting site managers with habitat management work, carrying out site visits and survey work
• Liaison with site managers, including the creation of management plans, species surveys, and practical conservation work
• Offering advice and guidance on best practice to partner organisations

Volunteer management 

• Working with conservation organisations and partners to recruit volunteers for survey and recording work
• Organising training of volunteers and conservation staff to carry out surveys of breeding sites for all species
• On site supervision of conservation volunteers and recorders
  

Administration

• Attend weekly online meetings with the Scotland Conservation Officer providing updates and raising any issues
• Contribute to project related press releases and promotional articles, including social media and BDS publications
• Prepare quarterly reports for the Steering Committee and attending meetings
• Contribute to Trustee and Funding reports as required
• Attend internal BDS meetings and events as appropriate

Person Specification

Essential skills and experience

• Experience of managing conservation projects
• Experience in partnership/collaborative work
• Experience of working with and supporting volunteers
• A keen interest in conservation and general issues related to wetland habitats
• Valid driving licence, prepared to use own car (standard mileage rate applies)
• Effective communication skills both in writing and face to face
• Confident to work on own initiative with minimal supervision and make decisions considering different viewpoints
• Ability to contribute effectively to a small team

Desirable skills and experience

• Experience of managing site contractors
• Degree in Environmental Sciences or a conservation related subject
• Experience of remote working
• Knowledge of recording and survey work
• Interest in and knowledge of dragonflies
• Experience of practical conservation work
• Awareness of the geography of the Highlands
• Knowledge of Peatland restoration

Applications close: Midnight Saturday 2nd November

How to apply

To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter to Trustee Brian Walker: brian.walker@british-dragonflies.org.uk