Job Opportunities

Developing Wider Involvement in Scottish Amphibian and Reptile Conservation

Scottish Project Officer (3 year post), £21,000 per annum Full Time (may include some evening and weekend work). Based at Caledonian Conservation Ltd office in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire.

Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (ARC) has secured funding from Scottish Natural Heritage for a project to increase community engagement in the conservation of reptiles and amphibians in Scotland. The project is aimed at helping to achieve sustainability in Scotland through helping people engage with their environment, encouraging a sense of ownership and responsibility, and providing opportunities for people to engage with amphibians and reptiles as part of the shared natural heritage of Scotland. The project has funding for three years.

A project officer is required to manage the project which will:
• Promote recording, co-ordinate a national survey and monitoring campaign
• Produce information about species identification, distributions and status for different audiences and gain wide involvement through 'Citizen Science' projects, outreach and public participation.
• Develop and initiate habitat enhancement work through partnerships with land managers including developers, statutory organisations, nature conservation bodies and private land-owners.
• Support Amphibian and Reptile Groups in Scotland, and work with them to develop information about amphibians and reptile conservation that is accessible to people across Scotland.
• Develop a network of natterjack toad surveyors, and assist with great crested newt surveys in key locations.
• Provide training for individuals, community groups and conservation professionals.
• Run herpetofauna symposia and/or regional events to promote exchange of ideas and knowledge across Scotland.
• Further develop links between recording groups and planning authorities to enhance and safeguard amphibian and reptile populations.
• Assist with project fundraising and develop further funding bids to allow continuation of the project in future.

Applicants will need a good knowledge of herpetofauna and excellent interpersonal skills. Demonstrable experience working on herpetofauna conservation in Scotland, in particular with the voluntary sector, and an active involvement with Amphibian and Reptile Groups will be a considerable advantage.

To apply, please send (i) a completed application form (available by email from the ARC office; see below) and (ii) a covering letter outlining your suitability for the post. Applications should be received by 28th March 2013. Interviews will be held on 12th April 2013 at the Caledonian Conservation Ltd office in Hamilton.

As this is a fixed term project, we are keen for a person to be in post by early May or as soon as possible thereafter.

For an application form and full job description visit www.arc-trust.org/jobs or telephone 01202 391319 to request an application pack. Please return your application form together with a brief covering letter to Helen Wraight, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, 655a Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset BH1 4AP or email to helen.wraight@arc-trust.org

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No. 6932972. Registered Charity No. 1130188