The Orkney Native Wildlife Project aims to safeguard the unique and internationally important native wildlife of Orkney and the benefits it provides for local people and the economy by addressing the threat it faces from an invasive non-native predator the stoat.

Stoats threaten the Orkney vole, and many birds including hen harriers, short-eared owls, red-throated divers, waders and seabirds. It is therefore essential to remove stoats from Orkney to prevent significant and long-term negative impacts on Orkney’s native wildlife. The detection dog team consists of a close-knit team of eight handlers and ten detection dogs.

What's the role about?

Scat detection dogs are an integral part of the project. We are looking for experienced conservation detection dog handlers. You will be supplied with one or two trained stoat detection dogs and will be responsible for their welfare, but you will be supported for their care and maintenance. The purpose of this role is to support the stoat eradication operation and biosecurity activities across the Orkney Islands and at ports on mainland Scotland, including advocacy/media work as required.

The project is a partnership between RSPB Scotland, NatureScot and Orkney Islands Council, and beside partner contributions, is generously funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF),EU Life and Nature Restoration Fund (NRF).

Key tasks include:

• The homing, day to day care, welfare, and ongoing training of one or two stoat scat detection dogs.
• Performing searches for signs of stoats for biosecurity on islands presumed to be stoat-free.
• Performing search and track operations as part of the eradication in collaboration with the Trapping Team.
• Collaboration, and working the dogs with members of the trap team who are trained to search with the dogs.
• Close and careful communication with landowners to access permission to perform dog searches.
• Contributing towards protocols, methodologies and welfare documents relating to the conservation detection dog team.
• Close liaison with port authorities and hauliers, in collaboration with the project Biosecurity Manager. At times this may involve working‘out of hours’ or at one of the mainland Scotland ports connecting with Orkney.
• Providing dog demonstrations to community groups in collaboration with other members of the project.
• Working with the Communications Manager to provide content for publicity using the dogs.

What we need from you:Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience of handling a working dog, ideally in detection work.
• Strong navigational skills including GPS use and ability to read OS maps.
• Comfortable walking long distances over difficult terrain and working for prolonged periods in the field.
• Willing to undertake surveys independently on remote islands, including overnight stays.
• Ability to use own initiative to solve day-to-day problems in the field.
• Willing to work flexible hours, be self-motivated and work efficiently within a defined work plan.
• Able to work positively and collaboratively within a team.
• Skilled use of Microsoft Office and ability to accurately collect and manage field data.
• Verbal communication skills to develop and maintain good relations with colleagues, landowners, local communities and members of the public.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience of using GIS software.
• Experience working in nature conservation.
• Able to identify mammal species and field sign accurately while in the field.

Additional Information

This is a Fixed-Term Contract until 31st December 2029 for 37.5 hours per week.

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from early August. For further information please contact hannah.read@rspb.org.uk