Monitoring and Control Officer - East Angus (Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels)

Fixed term until 31 March 2026 with potential for extension
Closing date: Wednesday 15th October at midnight 
Interview date: Week commencing 27th October 2025

As Scotland’s leading nature conservation charity, we welcome applications from individuals who are looking to join us in our journey of protecting Scotland’s wildlife for the future. From major species and landscape restoration projects, to managing our network of wildlife reserves and campaigning for nature, we work for Scotland’s wildlife year-round. We give a voice to wildlife through our policy and campaigning work, demonstrate best practice through practical conservation work, engage with people to take positive action through our education programmes and events, and so much more. 

The Role: 

This role requires an individual that enjoys working outdoors, with experience in mammal control work, who is approachable and enjoys interacting with people. The Monitoring and Control Officer will contribute to a programme of monitoring to inform strategic decisions, and targeted grey squirrel control to protect key populations of Scotland’s red squirrels. Activities are undertaken in accordance with the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels plan to protect red squirrels in priority landscapes across the Highland Line. 

Key Responsibilities and Duties include:

• Invasive species control: Carrying out targeted and strategic grey squirrel control in agreed areas according to the SSRS project’s Standard Operating Procedures, as well as training new volunteers.
• Surveying and Monitoring: develop and coordinate a network of Rapid Response monitoring, including recruiting, training, and supporting of a network of volunteers, and species identification through collected squirrel hair samples.
• Reporting: collecting and maintaining high-quality, accurate monitoring and trapping records.
• Public engagement: in support with the team help raise the profile of project objectives to volunteers, landowners and external partners in relevant grey squirrel monitoring and detection methods to increase the long-term sustainability and resilience for supported monitoring and control efforts. 

The successful candidate will: 

• Possess an SVQ/NVQ level 2 or equivalent in Game and Wildlife Management or related discipline or relevant experience of game keeping, invasive/non-native mammal control or pest control.
• Ideally have a good understanding of conservation principles, practices and legislation as well as the ability to keep and maintain accurate records in Word and Excel.
• Have previous relevant professional or volunteering experience, together with experience working with landowners, gamekeepers, foresters and the public. A knowledge of forest and native tree species and familiarity with the East Angus area would be advantageous.
• Be willing to occasionally work out of normal working hours.
• Possess a full clean driving licence. 

The Trust is a passionate employer, proactive about creating a culture of diversity and inclusive workplace that promotes and values equal opportunities for all. We welcome individuals from all networks of life, backgrounds, and experiences. 

Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a partnership project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and supported by project partners and the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.