River Catchment Director

Introduction

This exciting opportunity has arisen on one of Scotland’s most famous rivers. The Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board (TDSFB) is the Statutory Body responsible for the conservation, protection and enhancement of Atlantic salmon and sea trout fisheries throughout the River Tay and its catchment (tayrivers.org).

Description of Role

The TDSFB is engaged in a bold new strategy, in support of the Scottish Government’s new Wild Salmon Strategy, to help reverse the decline of our iconic Atlantic salmon. As well and ensuring we meet our statutory obligations, we work closely with environmental organisations.

In so doing, we aim to improve the wider landscape, so that wildlife can flourish throughout the Tay catchment.

The TDSFB are looking for an ambitious, innovative and driven individual who has the ability to take the TDSFB to the next level as its new Director. In so doing, they will have the passion to help save our iconic Atlantic salmon.

We are looking for a natural leader to join our team. They will be a skilled and constructive communicator, able to devise and implement strategy and engender confidence within their team and the plethora of organisations with which the Board engages.

Based in Perthshire, the Director will report to the Board’s Convenor and will have responsibility for the executive implementation and representation of all the Board’s wide-ranging strategies and activities whilst managing and inspiring a successful team.

Responsibilities & Duties

Leadership and Management

• Employed as Director for the TDSFB
• Line management of all staff for the TDSFB.
• Work in partnership with the Clerk of the TDSFB to ensure all statutory and reporting duties of the Board are carried out accurately and in a timely fashion
• Development of Catchment management plan and policy for the conservation, restoration, protection and enhancement of Atlantic salmon and sea trout throughout the catchment of the River Tay for approval by the Board. Responsible for subsequent implementation and reporting on progress in a monthly report to the Board at each Board meeting.
• Responsibility for all aspects relating to the Health & Safety of staff in the conduct of their work throughout the Tay catchment, including policy, equipment and its annual servicing, protective clothing, and the maintenance of Risk Assessments.
• Responsibility for the overall operations of the TDSFB hatchery and kelt reconditioning programme, including the management, supervision and development of the hatchery staff.

Communications & Education

• Ensure effective communication and publicity of all aspects of the Board’s work on its website and social media channels, as well as local and national press (both newspaper and television).

Representation and Lobbying

• Effective representation of the TDSFB’s policies and objectives to the Scottish Government, its agencies (SEPA, NatureScot, Scottish Water, Forestry & Land Scotland, Scottish Forestry), local authorities (Perth and Kinross other councils, Loch Lomond and Trossachs Authority, the Cairngorms National Park Authority), local businesses, community councils/organisations and the Tay Liaison Committee Group.
• Represent the TDSFB at meetings with environmental Government agencies and private enterprises regarding hydro activities, barrier removal, fish passage and monitoring throughout the Tay catchment.
• Represent the TDSFB at meetings of Police Scotland’s Partnership Against Wildlife Crime and Partnership Against Rural Crime
• Represent the TDSFB at meetings of the Tay River Trust and at other ad hoc meetings as required

Enforcement

• In addition to line management of the Board’s Water Bailiffs/Fisheries Officers, pro-active involvement in enforcement issues, including occasional attendance at and support for the Board’s response to illegal fishing incidents, and supporting staff prepare for subsequent court appearances.

Predation Control and Other Licensing

• Submission of an annual Sawbill Duck Licence application. Includes organising and undertaking sawbill duck counts of the River Tay each year, followed by submission of a licence application with comprehensive supporting background information.
• Submission of an annual Broodstock Licence application in support of the Board’s Hatchery operation, including completed application form, abstraction license, summary of proposed Broodstock Capture Locations and proposed stocking sites and densities for the following year, summary of Stocking Monitoring Electrofishing data and a comprehensive Habitats Regulations Appraisal and Appropriate Assessment.

Financial

• Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the TDSFB’s, financial management, including:
  • Authorisation and payment processing of all invoices regarding the above and allocation to appropriate accounting.
  • Compilation of the annual budgets, including income and expenditure.
  • Close liaison with Accountants and reporting to the Board on a quarterly basis on income and expenditure for the previous quarter and annually at year end, including cashflow.

General

• Quarterly reporting to the Board on all aspects of the Board’s work, including finance.
• Organising and facilitating the Annual General Meeting of the TDSFB
• Collate and distribute the TDSFB’s Annual Report using desktop publishing software and liaising with the TDSFB Administrator for publication.
• Respond to Formal Complaints, including subsequent reporting to the Board and summarising in the Annual Report.
• In collaboration with the Board’s Administrator, oversee the repair and maintenance of the Board’s offices and hatchery premises, including annual rent review and budget allocation.

Skills and Background

The post holder is likely to be qualified to degree level or equivalent, but the right personality is also crucial.

The following qualities are essential:

• A natural leader, capable of instilling confidence in their team and the plethora of organisations with which the Board engages.
• A good knowledge of river habitat and ideally salmonids
• A skilled and constructive communicator, able to represent the Board’s policies and strategies to a diverse range of stakeholders, including the Scottish Government and its agencies, local authorities, fishery proprietors, ghillies, anglers, as well as members of the public.
• The ability to formulate and implement strategy.
• A team player, able to work with other external partner organisations to achieve goals.
• Ambitious, innovative, pragmatic and adaptable, a driven self-starter.
• A working knowledge of Health & Safety at work and preparation of risk assessments.
• Competency in Microsoft Office packages.
• Understanding of financial accounting.
• A full driving licence.

The following qualities are desirable:

• Knowledge of and/or an aptitude for fisheries, land management
• An understanding of Nature finance
• An understanding of the climate and biodiversity crises.
• A desire for continual professional development.

Remuneration Package

We offer a competitive salary, 30 days per annum paid leave (inclusive of statutory holidays), pension, death in service benefit and access to a pool vehicle for business purposes.