River Officer

Job Specification for River Officer

Introduction

The River Dee is one of the four principal salmon rivers in Scotland. Rising in the Cairngorm Mountains and flowing east through heather moorland, forests and farmland to the City of Aberdeen and the North sea, the Dee is the most pristine large river in Britain. The Dee contains stocks of Atlantic salmon, trout, lamprey and eel, plus an array of introduced species; however it is the salmon for which the river is famous. It has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation for Atlantic salmon, primarily due to the strength of the spring-running component of this species.

The Dee District Salmon Fishery Board is the statutory body tasked with protecting and enhancing stocks of salmon and sea trout across the district. This Board has been recognised as being at the forefront of fisheries management in Scotland with an established track record in innovative conservation and enhancement policies. The Board works closely with the River Dee Trust, a charitable body which provides scientific and education services to fisheries and the wider community throughout the catchment. The Trust will be the lead body on the work relating to the control and removal of invasive species within the catchment.

1. Reporting

The River Officer will report in the first instance to the River Operations Manager although a component of the work will be managed through and reported on to the Trust Manager. The River Operations Manager has overall responsibility for the River Operations team and, along with the Trust Manager, reports to the River Director.

2. Duties

The general duties of a River Officer are twofold and split evenly between:

1. To take responsibility to initiate and develop a programme to control and remove invasive species throughout the catchment.

2. To provide protection of salmon stocks through the enforcement of current salmon fisheries legislation and help restore those populations by undertaking a wide range of habitat management and fish enhancement activities 

   Specific Duties

   During the summer months the predominant duties will be to set up and lead an invasive non-native species control and eradication programme. This will include developing and maintaining a volunteer network for controlling invasive species, including training, organising, leading and motivating volunteers. This will be through various means of communications, including social media, written and oral presentations, to liaise with volunteers, raise awareness of the project and report on progress. In instances where it is not appropriate to use volunteers the post holder will organise and manage contractors to carry out the work.

   During the winter months the predominant duties will be to assist the River Operations Team with fishery restoration work including but not limited to coppicing, habitat creation and enhancement. In addition the River Officer will be required to assist policing of the fisheries legislation within the district and will be required to successfully complete the Institute of Fisheries Management bailiffing qualification within 18 months of taking up the post.

   The two roles of the post are not exclusive and the postholder will have to demonstrate flexibility in carrying out their duties. Irrespective of these two roles the River Officer will be expected to:

• Ensure all work is carried out safely and be responsible for the health and safety of projects that they are in charge of and ensure that the same high standards are maintained in work they are assisting with.

• Maintain equipment and ensure that it is correctly specified for the tasks at hand.

3. Skills and Background

Formal qualifications are not essential as experience is key to delivering this project successfully and in a timely manner. The post holder must demonstrate significant experience of working in an outdoor environment; evidence of working with people, especially volunteers; project management and good communication skills. They must also be able to organise their work and that of others and have a positive proactive attitude.

The following qualities are essential:

• Demonstrated responsibility for planning and delivering work

• Understanding of and experience in motivating, leading and retaining volunteers

• Experienced and willing to work outdoors on a daily basis in rural and urban areas

• Working knowledge of Health & Safety at work and preparation of risk assessments
• Demonstrate good communication skills using a variety of media
• Appreciation of the natural environment
• Competency in Microsoft Office packages
• An ability and willingness to deal with members of the public and liaise with stakeholders
• A full driving licence

 The following qualities are desirable: 

• A working knowledge of mapping systems
• Knowledge and familiarity with freshwater and riparian environments
• Understanding of and previous experience in tackling invasive species
• An understanding of salmon fisheries legislation

The successful candidate will need to satisfy requirements of the Disclosure Scotland Act as this post may involve working with children and vulnerable adults.

4. Equipment

All staff will be adequately equipped to carry out their duties in a safe and efficient manner and should ensure equipment is kept in good working order. Any deficiencies in the equipment or its condition should be reported in the first instance to the River Operations Manager.

5. Hours and Place of Work

The Dee District Salmon Fishery Board operates a 40 hour working week. The post holder must be prepared to work out with hours 9am to 5pm and in particular expect to work at weekends as required.  No overtime will be paid unless by prior arrangement with the River Director.

The place of work will nominally be the River Office although work will be carried out throughout the District.

6.  Remuneration and Benefits

The post will attract a salary in the region of £27,000 per annum from 1^st January 2015. A pension scheme is open to all employees following a six month probationary period.  A vehicle will be provided in connection with work duties.

7. Terms of Employment

The terms of employment will be specified in an accompanying contract and staff handbook. Please note that this is currently a three year fixed term contract from January 2015 to December 2017.