The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the wildlife conservation charity that owns both RZSS Edinburgh Zoo and RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, is seeking a Conservation Officer to join our Saving Wildcats team on this unique and vital project to breed and release Wildcats back to their natural habitat. The Saving Wildcats (#SWAforLIFE) project is a partnership between The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland, Cairngorms National Park Authority, Norden’s Ark (Sweden) and Junta De Andalucia (Spain).

The role

Part of a team of four Conservation Officers, you will implement field-based activities of the Saving Wildcats project under direction of the Field Manager and in collaboration with a veterinary team and other relevant project staff / stakeholders and project partners. You will deliver targeted work primarily around the Cairngorms National Park (and potentially further afield across northern Scotland) that support threat mitigation, field surveys, population monitoring, and public engagement whilst working to international best practice guidance and relevant national legislation. All in support of RZSS’s Vision and Mission.

Some of the things you'll do

•  Working under the SWAforLIFE In-situ conservation manager and together with the SWAforLIFE Project team, the project partners (NatureScot, Forestry & Land Scotland, Cairngorms National Park Authority, Norden’s Ark and Junta de Andalucía) and other project stakeholders, support the development and delivery of the SWAforLIFE project.
•  Working with other members of the in-situ team to undertake operational delivery of field-based actions.
•  Undertake all field activities in line with best practice standards as well as relevant legislation / licenses.
•  When necessary or as requested by line manager, represent the project at external meetings and communicate regularly with the public, a range of stakeholders and other relevant organisations.
•  Contribute to project communications including interviews and social media etc.

What we're looking for

•  You'll be qualified to degree-level or equivalent experience in ecology, biology or environment related discipline.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of species translocations and conservation issues involved in species recovery.
• Proficiency in ecological survey and monitoring techniques.
• Data handling and analysis skills, for example including camera-trap data and the use of GIS or R statistical package.
• Good understanding and experience of working with Scottish countryside / environmental organisations.

This is full time, fixed term role (approximately 3.5 years) where the working hours are 37.5 hours per week. Some weekend and evening work will be required.