Project Officer - Species on the Edge - Shetland

We are looking for a passionate individual to lead on the implementation of the Shetland Delivery Plan., The role will be varied and asks in particular for a genuine interest in building strong relationships with land managers to achieve species and habitat conservation. Working closely with the People Engagement Officer (Shetland) and other project staff in Scotland, the successful candidate will be committed to developing the SotE partnership in Shetland and will effectively communicate the shared vision of the partners. The role will be part of the RSPB Scotland team in Shetland.

Key tasks and responsibilities:

Species monitoring: Deliver a programme of species and habitat monitoring, coordinate volunteer surveyors and collate, analyse and report data.

Habitat management: Engage and develop relationships with land managers to generate interest in nature conservation, seek advice from relevant experts and implement conservation actions for target species on farmland and Local Nature Conservation Sites, set up and manage a wildflower seed harvesting scheme and build support for bee-friendly roadside management. Organise demonstration events and training opportunities for farmers/crofters to build knowledge and promote practices that benefit target species.

Species safeguard: Work with a partner organisation to establish and manage a programme to cultivate hawkweed and oysterplant seedlings and reintroduce to agreed locations.

Volunteer programme: Support SotE People Engagement Officer (Shetland) to develop a team of volunteers to achieve project targets.

Project management: Provide written progress reports, maintain accurate records, and complete evaluation as required, and ensure commitments to funders are fulfilled.

Species on the Edge (SotE) brings together eight environmental organisations, including NatureScot, Scottish Government's statutory adviser on nature conservation, to deliver an ambitious, consolidated programme of work across Scotland. Working together, we represent leading species conservation organisations with extensive knowledge and experience, who are joining forces to catalyse the action that species need. We aim to empower island and coastal communities to connect with one another, their local wild places and the special wildlife within.

In Shetland, we have a plan to deliver a range of exciting activities to safeguard curlew, lapwing, red-necked phalarope, twite, moss-carder bee, oysterplant, endemic hawkweed species and plantain leaf beetle.