Job Description

Protecting Scotland’s wildlife for the future Funded by Job Description Title Grey Squirrel Officer (Teviot & Rule) Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels – Developing Community Action Based Home-based. Location flexible within the south Roxburghshire area (Hawick- Bonchester Bridge-Newcastleton) Dept/Region Conservation Line Manager Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels – Developing Community Action Conservation Officer Scottish Borders Duration Full-time: 35 hours per week. Seasonal post to start early to mid-May 2019 and terminate by mid-August 2019. Overall Purpose of the Job To build on a programme of targeted grey squirrel control to prevent replacement of red squirrels by grey squirrels in the priority landscape of the Rivers Teviot and Rule catchments, by carrying out grey squirrel control in named forests in the National Forest Estate, their surroundings and in key grey squirrel incursion routes in co-operation with the permanent SSRS-DCA Grey Squirrel Officer for Teviot & Rule. Main Duties Grey Squirrel Control 1. Carry out grey squirrel control in the National Forest Estate forests of Wauchopeburn and Castleburn, Newcastleton, Swinnie, Tinnisburn, Burnfoot and Meadowshaw according to the SSRS- DCA project’s Standard Operating Procedures and Forest Enterprise Scotland’s requirements. 2. Liaise with Forest District offices to gain access to forests for grey squirrel control work, and secure their continued cooperation in order to carry out efficient red squirrel conservation work. 3. When working outside of the National Forest Estate take responsibility for approaching the relevant estate managers and staff to make arrangements for access to carry out control. 4. Liaise with the permanent SSRS-DCA Grey Squirrel Officer for Teviot & Rule to maintain an effective grey squirrel control network in the Teviot & Rule Priority Area. 5. Contribute where necessary to the management of outbreaks of Squirrelpox virus disease in red squirrels. 6. Where required, submit dead red squirrels for post mortem. Details for this will be advised by the SSRS-DCA Conservation Officer Scottish Borders. 7. Keep records of trapping effort, location and results in Excel to agreed SSRS-DCA project standards and submit accurate records and timesheets monthly to the Conservation Officer Scottish Borders. 8. Produce risk assessments for all outdoor work and comply with SWT’s lone working policy for personal and third party safety and all Forest Enterprise Scotland’s health and safety requirements. Surveying and Monitoring 9. Where necessary, maintain monitoring mainly by feeder-box according to SSRS Project protocols after clearing a forest of grey squirrels in order to detect when recolonisation occurs by either red or grey squirrels. Training on feeder-box use can be given by the SSRS project. There may also be the opportunity to use motion-sensitive cameras to detect squirrel presence. 10. Collect records of red and grey squirrel sightings in the area to detect any changes to species’ distributions and to monitor the effectiveness of the removal programme. Submit sightings via the SSRS-DCA online squirrel reporting page. Key Internal & External Contacts SSRS-DCA Conservation Officer for Scottish Borders, SSRS-DCA Community Engagement Officer SSRS-DCA Grey Squirrel Officer Teviot & Rule Forest Enterprise Scotland staff, landowners / managers, other forest users Personal Specification Qualifications, Training, Knowledge and Experience: Essential Qualifications: SVQ/NVQ level 2 or equivalent qualification in Game and Wildlife Management or related discipline or relevant experience of game keeping or invasive/non-native mammal control. Good understanding of conservation principles, practices and legislation. Specific Experience Previous experience in practical wildlife management, gamekeepering, pest control or other relevant field. May also suit an individual who has recently qualified and seeking experience under the guidance of existing staff. A working knowledge of Microsoft Office software. Experience of working with landowners and members of the public. Advantageous: Familiarity with the south Roxburghshire area. A knowledge of forest and native tree species. A knowledge of Scottish wildlife and environment issues. Special Competencies: Skills and Abilities A strong work ethic and proven reliability are essential. A love of outdoor working. Control operations must comply with best practice and legislation and the SSRS-DCA Standard Operating Procedures for Grey Squirrel Control. Training will be given. Ability to communicate with colleagues, landowners and the wider public. Ability to keep accurate records in Excel. Ability to access and work in woodland sites, some of which are remote. Self-motivated, energetic and enthusiastic, with ability to manage own time schedule. Willing to learn new skills and operating methods. Full clean UK driving licence, with experience of 4-wheel driving on rough tracks. Date 28/03/19 Author Mel Tonkin Position Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Project Manager .

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