Research Field Assistant (one year contract)

Wildlife Management, SASA

Applications are invited for a full-time Research Field Assistant on a one year
contract, based in Wildlife Management, Diagnostics, Wildlife & Molecular Biology
Branch, AA! "our annual salary #ill be $%&,'()!''! AA is part of the cottish
*overnment, and you #ill be #or+ing at A, pay band level! For further information
on cottish *overnment employment see
http-..###!scotland!gov!u+./opics.*overnment.public-sector-pay!
Main Duties: 0onducting an 12-funded pro3ect e4amining the use of traps by
practitioners permitted under the Wildlife & 0ountryside Act %56% *eneral 7icences!
/he pro3ect is e4pected to last a year, starting early 8uly )'%(!
%! "ou #ill visit rural locations across cotland, liaising #ith practitioners and
placing 9:R-triggered trail cameras in appropriate positions to record trap
success and activity at the site! Where possible, automated systems for data
recording from cameras #ill be used! 2o#ever #here phone coverage is
poor, you #ill need to off-load data from memory cards by hand! "ou may be
re;uired to spend nights a#ay from home!
)! "ou #ill maintain good #or+ing relationship #ith trap users, and #ill be
responsible for collection of their records of trapping activities at traps not
being monitored by cameras!
, "ou #ill be responsible for organising and maintaining resources re;uired for
the day to day running of the pro3ect! "ou #ill ensure ;uality controls are
carried out prior to camera activation! "ou #ill maintain and relocate cameras
as re;uired!
( "ou #ill record additional on-site information <e!g! habitat, geography=,
and #ill monitor the condition of decoy birds if used!
> "ou #ill be responsible for maintaining a database of all photographic
and other data collected! "ou #ill help to compile and structure the data into a
format to allo# statistical analysis!
Key proficiencies for the post include:
Self Management: A significant proportion of the #or+ #ill re;uire lone #or+ing by
the member of staff, driving to and from field sites, and #or+ing unsupervised at the
site! /hey may be a#ay from the #or+ base for several days at a time! :t is
essential that the 3ob-holder is confident in their ability to #or+ in the field under
these circumstances!
ommunications ! "ngagement: :t is essential that the 3ob-holder possesses the
interpersonal and communication s+ills necessary to optimise interactions and
#or+ing relationships #ith practitioners!
#nformation management: "ou must develop practical s+ills necessary to become
competent in a range of field techni;ues and activities, in particular in relation to data
collection and the #or+ings of the camera e;uipment! /he 3ob holder #ill be
e4pected to do#nload, access, manage, store and retrieve data to ensure efficient
access, storage and evaluation!
+ills, ?no#ledge and @4perience Re;uired! 9lease provide details of the essential
and desirable s+ills and e4perience re;uired for the post!
"ssential riteria
%! "ou must have sufficient e4perience in *eneral 7icence trap use to allo# you
to communicate +no#ledgably and comfortably #ith practitioners!
)! "ou must have e4perience of lone #or+ing in field conditions!
,! Aalid B? driving licence!
Desira$le riteria
%! @cological and scientific e4perience!
)! Bird identification s+ills!
,! Bse of Microsoft Cffice pac+ages, cameras and.or computer controlled
devices!
"ducational %ualifications: "ou should possess a Diploma, 1ational Diploma,
1AD, 21D or degree ;ualification in a relevant sub3ect!
#nformation a$out the &ranch'(nit')eam: AA is a Division of the cottish
*overnment Agriculture, Food and Rural 0ommunities Directorate! Cur primary role
is to provide scientific services and advice in support of cotlandEs agriculture and
#ider environment! Although much of our #or+ is in support of arable agriculture #e
also provide services in food safety, #ildlife management and crime #hilst providing
specialist advice to cottish Ministers!
/he principal functions of Wildlife Management <Diagnostics, Wildlife & Molecular
Biology Branch= is to provide scientific advice and technical e4pertise to cottish
*overnment <Agriculture, Food and Rural 0ommunities DirectorateF @nvironment
and Forestry Directorate= regarding various aspects of mammalian and
avian management in conflict situations! /his includes advice on--
#ildlife vectors and reservoirs #here an outbrea+ of certain notifiable diseases
occursF
licensing to +ill or ta+e protected species in specific circumstancesF
Wildlife 0rime investigations in relation to trapping and illegal gassingF
policy in relation to #ildlife managementF
changes in B? or @0 legislation!
/he Branch also conducts R&D pro3ects in support of policy Divisions of the cottish
*overnment!
For further information on this vacancy, please contact Dr *ill 2artley, AA,
Roddingla# Road, @dinburgh @2%) 5F8F gill!hartleyGsasa!gsi!gov!u+!
/o apply please send your 0A and a covering letter to the above address or email to
#ildlifeunitGsasa!gsi!gov!u+ by )).'>.%(!
#nter*ie+s: /hese #ill held in early 8une at AA, @dinburgh
http-..###!sasa!gov!u+.content.#here-find-us! Bnfortunately, travel e4penses #ill
not be paid!