Overview

We have two exciting new opportunities to join the WWF-UK led Restoration Forth project as Seagrass Project Officers. Restoration Forth brings together communities and a range of national and local organisations to restore oysters and seagrass in the Firth of Forth. The Seagrass Project Officers, employed by the Ecology Centre and the Scottish Seabird Centre, will be part of a network of 6 community hubs supporting seagrass restoration through volunteers, citizen science monitoring and learning and outreach activities along the Fife and East Lothian coastline respectively.

Job Description 

Seagrass Project Officer, North Berwick

The Seagrass project officer will work collaboratively with partners, volunteers, schools and community groups to connect people from communities along the East Lothian shoreline with the marine environment. The project officer will regularly liaise with the Seagrass Project Officer based at the Ecology Centre in Fife and the Restoration Forth Engagement Manager at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh (RBGE), to ensure complementary activities are delivered across the project’s 6 community hubs. Technical support will be provided by the Project Seagrass Marine Survey lead.

Principal duties

Seagrass restoration

1. The project officer will work with Project Seagrass to survey seagrass extent in the Firth of Forth (East Lothian coastline).
2. Support the sourcing and seed collection/growth of seagrass for Restoration Forth and be involved with planting trials, ensuring adequate volunteer participation.
3. Be involved in the monitoring of the effectiveness of the seagrass planting trials.

Citizen science monitoring

4, Use Nature Scot’s Community-led Marine Biodiversity Monitoring Handbook to develop, deliver, and communicate a varied programme of marine citizen science engagement activities.
5. Collect and submit reliable data about intertidal species to the MarClim Project on a regular basis.
6. To support science projects on the benefits (ecological and social) of seagrass restoration.

Education and engagement

7. Contribute to the conservation and education activities at the Scottish Seabird Centre, with a focus on broadening the level of engagement along the East Lothian coastline.
8. Inspire and educate the local community on the importance of marine ecosystems, the services they provide and the current conservation management challenges.
9. Produce interactive communication materials for Restoration Forth and the Scottish Seabird Centre to creatively engage audiences using a range of media and platforms.

Project management

10. Lead on the development of an annual work plan for approval by the Project Steering Group, ensuring clear milestones and budgets are set.
11. Lead on the tracking of project activities, outcomes and expenditure for the elements of the project which the Scottish Seabird Centre is leading.
12. Produce accurate and timely information to WWF-UK for funder reports.

Volunteer management

13. Engage new and existing volunteers to participate in practical conservation on behalf of the Restoration Forth and the Scottish Seabird Centre.
14. Review and update health and safety risk assessments to safeguard staff, volunteers, and members of the public participating in the events and activities they lead.

General

15. To undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as required by the Chief Executive.
16. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with relevant partners, groups, organisations, and landowners.

Person specification

Essential skills and experience

• Knowledge, experience and passion for marine and coastal wildlife and habitats, as well as a general understanding of nature, conservation and the environment.
• Experience of working with adults, young people, and children in a community setting.
• Experience of developing and delivering practical conservation work with volunteers.
• A self-starter with an ability to plan and prioritise your own work and to co-ordinate activities with the wider events planned by the Restoration Forth Partnership.
• Experience of managing a project budget, tracking and reporting on activities and outcomes to funders.
• Effective communicator (oral and written) including confidence in delivering presentations to a variety of groups.
• Experience of producing content for social media channels.
• Confident networker with partners, stakeholders and local community groups.
• A calm approach with evidence of problem-solving abilities.
• Awareness of Health and Safety responsibilities at an individual and organisational level.

Desirable skills

• Protection of vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme membership through Disclosure Scotland.

Scottish Seabird Centre and the Restoration Forth Project

Background

The Scottish Seabird Centre is a conservation and education charity whose purpose is “Inspiring and educating people about the Scottish marine environment, motivating them to care for it, and supporting conservation projects”. Based in North Berwick, East Lothian we overlook the marine environment in the Firth of Forth and have over 200,000 visits each year.

We have four key pillars to our work:

• Conservation we develop, practically undertake, and promote models of conservation best practice and citizen science.
• Education we deliver education programmes, science resources and events and use innovative ways to provide information on the marine environment.
• Communities we work in partnership with diverse communities including enhancing the experience for visitors to North Berwick.
• Experience we offer 5-star visitor experience, are a valued community resource and engage more people through digital technology and media.

Our charitable work is supported by our not-for-profit Trading Company Scottish Seabird Centre Limited and our 5-star visitor attraction which provides a valuable resource for members and visitors.

Restoration Forth

Restoration Forth is a WWF-UK led project which brings together local community groups, organisations and charities to restore oysters and seagrass to the Firth of Forth. The project seeks to actively engage with local communities in the design and implementation of nature-based solutions and, through this participatory approach, to help strengthen connections with the marine and coastal environment in ways which inspire people to act for the benefit of the natural environment.

Scottish Seabird Centre values

Our values underpin everything we do. We take pride in bringing these to life in all that we do. We are:

• PASSIONATE about Scotland’s coastal and marine environment.
• INSPIRE others to explore and care for Scotland’s coastal and marine environment.
• INNOVATE with the approaches we use to engage with people.
• COLLABORATE with local and national partners to convey the importance of Scotland’s marine environment.
• INFORMED about the current health of Scotland’s marine wildlife and habitats and the actions required to protect it.
• TRUSTWORTHY providing reliable information and acting with integrity and without bias.

Performance: To be measured against clearly defined measurable and challenging goals.

Benefits

• Working for a successful conservation and education charity in a stunning location.
• Pension available.
• Training and development for everyone.
• 20% discount in the Centre’s Gift Shop and Seabird Café.
• 10% discount on the Seabird Centre boat trips.
• Free entry to the Discovery Experience, for you and family members (restrictions on numbers apply).
• Free access to a range of Scottish visitor attractions with an Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions card.
• Free access/ special offers for a range of East Lothian attractions with an East Lothian Tourism Attraction Group card.

Applications:

To apply please send a covering letter and a tailored CV that demonstrates how your skills and experience relate to the role profile to info@seabird.org by 5pm on 31st January 2022. Interviews are scheduled to be held on the 17th or 18th February but this may be subject to change.

www.seabird.org/vacancies