Overview

LOCATION: Eyemouth , Scottish Borders

CONTRACT: 37 hrs/week, fixed term 2 years

SALARY: £28,000 – £30,300

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

To manage the St. Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve, under the direction of the VMR Management Committee. Management will be in line with the VMR policies, priorities, performance standards and targets. These consist of conserving the VMR’s wildlife for the benefit of future generations, ensuring that enjoyment of the VMR by local communities and visitors is maximised and that conservation objectives are achieved.

The VMR Coordinator will maintain the profile and reputation of the VMR and other partners within the local communities, user groups and other relevant parties. S/he can expect to be “hands on” dealing with operational issues on site, engagement with user groups and local communities, and educating the public about the role of the VMR and marine conservation. The successful applicant will also be in charge of managing the exciting “Seabed Interpretation Project” using new and innovative technologies, creating a virtual visitor centre with multiple engagement platforms.

  1. ABBS AND EYEMOUTH VOLUNTARY MARINE RESERVE (VMR):

Covering 10.3km2 of coastal waters, the VMR was established in 1984 to promote the conservation of this outstanding area of marine environment. It is the only VMR in Scotland and one of the oldest in the UK. The VMR has a number of stakeholder and user groups working within its boundaries. There are numerous commercial shellfish fishermen, a large SCUBA diving community with affiliated businesses and other recreational users. The area boasts further designations as a Marine Special Area of Conservation (mSAC) for its sea caves, rocky reefs and grey seal populations, a Static Gear Reserve (no mobile gear) under the 1984 Inshore Fisheries Act, St. Abbs Head National Nature Reserve, and coastal Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

The coastline and coastal waters are an extremely important component of the regional tourism resource and attracts visitors from the UK and abroad. The VMR is a registered Charity, run by a partnership of local community groups, diving organisations and national conservation bodies. It recently joined a UK initiative led by marine conservation charity, Blue Marine Foundation, which will ensure that the current aims and objectives of the VMR are achieved and will promote best-practice management.

The post holder will be the face of this iconic Voluntary Marine Reserve, ensuring the rich coastal waters continue to be conserved whilst at the same time promoting responsible and sustainable use for commercial and recreational activities. They will also develop and manage a range of surveying and monitoring programmes alongside raising awareness of the VMR and marine conservation to enable visitors to enjoy and fully appreciate the value of the coastal waters. The post holder will carry out a number of organised events throughout the period of employment, interacting with a wide range of audiences.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT

  • Carry out duties to aid the conservation of the VMR’s marine life (e.g. surveying and recording marine life, promoting Codes of Conduct).
  • Data collection (both formal and informal) and management.
  • Raise awareness of the VMR’s marine life using a variety of media (e.g. leading educational visits, guided walks and other events, giving talks, publishing articles in relevant publications, internet and social media)
  • Marketing and promotion of the VMR and the work of the VMR with the aim of engaging as wide an audience as possible.

SCOPE OF THE ROLE:

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND QUALIFICAITONS

  • Degree level (or equivalent) knowledge and understanding of the scientific background to conservation management or marine and coastal environments OR at least two years’ relevant experience.
  • Sound knowledge of Scottish maritime flora and fauna including ID skills.
  • Good understanding and knowledge of the marine environment, issues and current legislation.
  • Excellent IT skills.
  • Experience in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and data management
  • Knowledge of SCUBA diving (although Scuba diving is not part of the job remit)
  • A full clean driving license.

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

  • Ensure a welcoming and inclusive disposition for all engagement activities
  • Develop and maintain sound relationships with representatives of key bodies/ organisations who have interests in the VMR (e.g. the fishing and diving communities, community councils, local businesses, conservation organisations).
  • The ability to enthuse and educate a diverse range of audiences about the marine environment.
  • Experience in working with external bodies or stakeholders and in partnership with local interest groups and community liaison.
  • Manage and encourage volunteers.
  • Able to handle local sensitivities and engage with fishermen.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Experience of biological monitoring, visitor management, environmental interpretation/education.
  • Good organisational and time management skills.
  • Self-motivated, enthusiastic and energetic
  • Ability to initiate and manage projects/events, with previous experience.
  • Ability to work alone as well as in a team.
  • A full, valid, clean driving license for driving in the UK.
  • A PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) disclosure check may be carried out.
  • A good understanding of the issues effecting the conservation and management of Scotland’s maritime environment and wildlife. 

APPLICATIONS:

Interested applicants should email Sarah Russell, berwickshirecoast@gmail.com for an application pack. Completed application forms must be received by 5pm. 21/03/18 by email via berwickshirecoast@gmail.com   Interviews are to take place in Eyemouth during the week commencing 02/04/18.

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”THIS PROJECT IS BEING PART-FINANCED BY THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY SCOTTISH BORDERS LAG LEADER 2014-2020 PROGRAMME and the BLUE Marine Foundation.” 

https://www.bluemarinefoundation.com