IMPORTANT: This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders. Other applicants need not apply.
POST: Project Officer Mammals in a Sustainable Environment x 2
POST NO: CCW000961 / VWT000000
LOCATION:
CCW – Abersytwyth (other locations may be considered)
VWT – To be agreed, within Interreg 4A boundary and adjoining areas. This could be from home or at an office location (see attached map).
GRADE: Band B
BACKGROUND
Monitoring and conserving biodiversity is increasingly being recognised as critical for sustainable development. Maintaining biodiversity requires baseline information on the current status and ecosystem requirements for individual species.
The molecular group at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) has developed novel techniques for monitoring mammals from non-invasively collected samples (eg faeces and hair). Genetic analysis provides species, gender and individual identification. The Mammals in a Sustainable Environment project (MISE) will use this approach to monitor small and medium sized mammals. Sample collection will be largely carried out by volunteers through field surveys. Training will be provided for volunteers through workshops and field training. This will enhance public awareness of the importance of mammals in the environment. Data analysis will also allow the identification of potential threats to individual species (eg habitat fragmentation) which will be used to advise on conservation work where appropriate.
The project is a partnership funded by the Ireland – Wales Interreg Programme. Project partners include WIT, the Irish National Data Centre, the Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT), the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) and Snowdonia National Park Authority. VWT and CCW are each responsible for employing one project officer. Priority species for the project include pine marten, red squirrel, otter, bats, small carnivores and other small mammals including dormouse and harvest mouse. The project will involve monitoring and conservation activities for these species and will be carried out within the Welsh Interreg 4A area (the counties of Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire).
There are two posts being recruited, one working for CCW, based in Aberystwyth, and one working for VWT (location to be agreed). Applicants should state on their application form which post they wish to be considered for. Terms and conditions may vary between the two employers.
MAIN DUTIES
Common to both posts
- Working as part of the MISE team, design, develop and oversee the implementation of the MISE project in Wales using specialist expertise where needed. Key activities include:
- A project awareness campaign, prioritising agreed locations where work will be focused;
- With the help of volunteers, collecting non-invasive samples to monitor mammals;
- Engaging volunteers, landowners/gamekeepers and naturalists;
- Liaising with WIT, following project protocols and processes and coordinating the sending of samples to the WIT laboratory for genetic analysis.
- Assist with data collation and work on placement of Marine Conservation Zones.
- Provide the marine ecology evidence base for Marine Spatial Planning and related work (eg habitat and sensitivity mapping). This will include liaising with specialist staff (intertidal, subtidal, coastal, marine vertebrates etc) to interpret and disseminate a wide range of information in the most appropriate format, including mapping work.
- Improve our subtidal ecology evidence base including:
- identifying opportunities and funding sources for survey work;
- prioritising areas to be surveyed and developing a strategic plan for subtidal survey work;
- Establish and manage a volunteer network to undertake mammal surveys and conservation projects, including the recruitment, training, supervision, support and motivation of volunteers and to ensure their time is recorded on timesheets.
- Carry out and supervise fieldwork to agreed standards and practices, collecting material evidence of mammal presence for target species and suggesting improvements to field detection and sample collection methodologies.
- Input to and produce publicity and project materials according to the agreed project house style, working closely with lead partners and the project manager.
- Coordinate and speak at workshops and project events for a wide variety of audiences.
- Act as a spokesperson for the MISE project, working with the project’s staff across several partners and with other CCW/VWT staff where necessary.
- Implement the plan for the MISE project programme as assigned, and report on progress as per contract commitments, including written reports and attendance at management committee meetings in Ireland and Wales.
- Ensure sufficient matched time of CCW/VWT staff and that timesheets are kept accordingly.
- Manage the project budget, keeping records for expenditure that can be attributed directly to project costs for funding claims and project analysis/audit.
- Liaise with the finance officer on cashflow issues and update project budgets according to new information and project changes.
CCW post only
- Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others and comply with all health and safety legislation as appropriate.
- Behave in accordance with our corporate values.
- Ensure you consistently meet the standards required to fulfil the service expectations of your internal and external customers/citizens and partners.
- Carry out other general duties as necessary.
VWT post only
- Optimise the project as an opportunity to develop VWT’s work with volunteers, creating a sustainable network for the future.
- Keep health and safety matters as the overriding determinant at all times and in all circumstances.
- Present a friendly, professional, competent and tidy personal image.
- Be familiar with and abide by VWT’s policies and procedures.
- Carry out other duties as from time to time required.
Some evening or weekend work is necessary due to the nature of the work. Time off in lieu will be given.
JOB COMPETENCIES
To be considered for this post you will need to demonstrate the following competencies:
Essential
- The ability to engage and work with the public, including volunteers and community groups.
- A good grounding in a biological or environmental science subject and knowledge of field biology.
- Knowledge of British mammals, particularly those included in the project (ie pine marten, red squirrel, otter, bats, dormouse, harvest mouse and other small carnivores).
- Effective self-management and organisational skills, including the ability to manage parts of a project and work within a project framework.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to write clear, concise documents and deliver presentations.
- IT skills, including the use of word processing, e-mail applications and spreadsheets in a Windows environment, as well as knowledge of databases and mapping software.
- The ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- The ability to currently and legally drive a car in the UK.
- An awareness of Welsh culture, and a positive attitude to linguistic and cultural diversity.
- The ability to communicate with confidence in Welsh in some work situations and a commitment to improve skills to fluency within two years. (CCW post)
- The ability to use basic Welsh conversational phrases (eg “bore da” – “good morning”) and to pronounce Welsh place names correctly. (VWT post)
Desirable
- Knowledge of mammal survey and conservation techniques.
- Fluency in spoken Welsh.
The successful VWT candidate will need their own vehicle, for which mileage expenses will be reimbursed.
There are up to 10 sections on our application form for you to tell us how you meet each of the numbered competencies above. Our application form asks about your driving and Welsh language abilities separately, so these competencies are not numbered above, and don’t need further explanation on this part of the form.
SALARY
The starting salary range will be between £19,429.00 to £23,935.00 a year, depending on skills and experience. (CCW)
The starting salary will be £24,177.00 a year. (VWT)
STATUS
This is a fixed-term, pensionable full-time appointment of 37 hours a week to 31 December 2014.
APPLICATIONS AND CLOSING DATE
Application forms can be downloaded from either CCW’s website (www.ccw.gov.uk) or the Vincent Wildlife Trust website (www.vwt.org.uk) or you can e-mail us at enquiries@ccw.gov.uk or phone our enquiry line on 0845 130 6229 and we will post an application form and job description to your home address.
Please return your completed application form to:
Graham Cohen
Recruitment Team
Countryside Council for Wales
Maes y Ffynnon
Penrhosgarnedd
Bangor
Gwynedd
LL57 2DW
or e-mail it to recruitment@ccw.gov.uk, quoting the post number as a reference.
The closing date for receipt of application forms is midday on 25th February 2011.
Interviews will be held on 16th March 2011.
