Overview

The British Trust for Ornithology is seeking applications for this full-time post in our Ringing and Nest Recording Team, based at our head office in Thetford. The long-running Ringing and Nest Record Schemes collect vital data on the survival, breeding success and movement of birds which allow us to understand the drivers of changes in abundance identified by our census surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey.

The post-holder will take the lead within the Ringing Data Team to ensure reports of ringed birds are processed rapidly, accurately and efficiently. Routine tasks will include fielding queries from ringers and members of the public regarding ringing and recovery data, assisting with supporting ringers with online data submission, checking data and querying the BTO ORACLE database. The postholder may also carry out fieldwork on scientific projects and contracts undertaken by the BTO as required.

The Ringing Data Team is responsible for the curation of the ORACLE Ringing & Recovery Database.  We receive c. 1 million ringing records each year and 200-300,000 subsequent reports of ringed birds from both ringers and members of the public. Ringers and nest recorders dedicate many hours to data collection, ensuring the schemes’ successful operation. Providing effective support, direction and motivation to our volunteers is therefore a key part of this post.

Candidates should display good administrative, computing, and data handling skills, including knowledge of ringers’ software. Attention to detail, good time management and the ability to work to deadlines is essential, as is good communication skills, personally, by telephone and in writing. An appreciation of the Ringing and Nest Record Schemes’ contribution to conservation and the practicalities of fieldwork undertaken is also important, so prior involvement as a volunteer in the Ringing Scheme would be advantageous.

This is a full time (37 hours) permanent position based in Thetford, Norfolk, with flexibility to work at home or from the David Attenborough Building in Cambridge occasionally.

Salary: £19,121 to £21,246 over 2 years + 11% employer pension contribution

Benefits include 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays on joining, 11% employer pension contribution, Life Assurance, Employee Assistance Programme, discounts on books, flexible working and social events.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 1 pm on Wednesday 21 August 2019.

It is anticipated that interviews will be held in Thetford on Friday 6 September 2019.

For further information and to apply, visit our website: www.bto.org/vacancies

For an informal chat about the position please contact Bridget Griffin or Dave Leech on 01842 750050 or you can email bridget.griffin@bto.org/dave.leech@bto.org.