Trapper Team Leader

The Orkney Native Wildlife Project (ONWP) aims to protect Orkney’s unique and globally important wildlife, and the benefits that it provides for local people from an invasive non-native predator: the stoat. Stoats pose a serious threat to the Orkney vole, a species found nowhere else in the world, and many birds including hen harriers, short-eared owls, red-throated divers, waders, and seabirds.

This wildlife supports Orkney’s thriving tourism industry and represents a crucial haven for species which are threatened elsewhere in the UK. The project is a partnership between RSPB Scotland, NatureScot and Orkney Islands Council, and is generously funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and EU LIFE and NatureScot, and Nature Restoration Fund (NRF).

The Role:

The post will be based on the Orkney Islands and will be a combination of field and office-based work. We are looking for an experienced team leader with well-developed field skills and excellent organisation and communication skills to help deliver the stoat eradication operation for the ONWP. Your time will be split between field work and team management.

You will help to plan and prioritise the trap teams activities, working alongside the operations manager to deliver the programme and ensure project priorities are being delivered. You will be responsible for ensuring your team has the necessary equipment to do their job, is motivated, and has a well-balanced workload. You will be expected to carry out stoat trapping and monitoring alongside your team. You must be physically fit, able to walk considerable distances over challenging terrain, in all weathers up to five days per week and potentially carry heavy loads.

Your work will include:

• Working with the Operations Manager to plan eradication work priorities and implement the trapping methodology as set out by the Operations Plan
• Responsibility for managing and coordinating 5-6 field staff
• Engaging with landowners to maintain and secure land access agreements across the Orkney Mainland and linked isles
• Checking, cleaning, rebaiting, and managing a network of over 8 000 kill traps on a regular cycle as part of a team
• Implementing trap and vehicle maintenance schedules
• Ensuring that all necessary trapping, monitoring, and land access data are collected and stored correctly
• Working with the conservation dog team

Adaptability and flexibility are key to this role as the project works under an adaptive management framework. You will need to adapt to changing project methodologies and ensure that these are carried out within your team. You will be a focussed individual with impeccable attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records, be able to identify issues and risks as they emerge and communicate these effectively to your team. You will enjoy being outdoors and have a passion for nature and wildlife, have the confidence and ability to inspire trust and support for the project, and an ability to motivate people. You should also have experience of working with local communities in a collaborative and sensitive way. You will be required to drive ONWP fleet vehicles.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience

• Degree equivalent relevant work experience e.g. a degree in conservation biology, environmental science or similar, or 1+ years’ experience trapping experience or similar field work
• Understanding of the impact of invasive non-native species and how to manage their populations appropriately for the benefit of native wildlife
• Knowledge of key legal and practical requirements for ensuring health and safety of staff and volunteers working in challenging field conditions
• Leadership, management, and site supervision of a diverse team
• Interpersonal skills with the tact, diplomacy and negotiating skills to manage staff and develop and maintain good relations with the owners/managers of land on which your team is working
• Be able to work in challenging field conditions
• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to be self-motivated, work efficiently within a defined work plan, and have the flexibility to adapt to changing work practices as required
• Proven track record in area of field work, including practical field skills appropriate to the post (e.g. animal trapping, tracking, navigation).
• Drivers license valid for use in the UK.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• Other relevant field skills appropriate to the post (i.e. use of trail cameras, knowledge and identification of field signs, use of conservation detection dogs, 4x4 driving experience, use of DOC traps, firearms)
• IT and other relevant software e.g. Microsoft products and GIS software

Additional Information

This is a full-time role until 31st December 2027. We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 7th October 2025.

For further information please contact - [email protected]

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form where you will have the opportunity to explain how you meet the above set criteria.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship, the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.