Common Scoter Officer

Introduction

This exciting role within our North Highland and Hebrides area team will deliver on the ground survey work and desk-based research, working with regional and reserve teams to design and prepare a delivery project aimed at halting the decline and restoring breeding populations of the UK's critically endangered Common Scoter. You will be working across six Common Scoter breeding locations in Scotland in the Highland, Perth & Kinross and Argyll & Bute areas.

In the UK the breeding population of Common Scoter has plummeted in numbers and range since the 1970's and has led to the species being classified as Critically Endangered under IUCN criteria and listed on the Scottish Biodiversity List as one of Scotland's rarest breeding species at risk of extinction. Over 12 months, this development project will fill critical knowledge gaps about the species, identify site-specific drivers of decline and inform the design of targeted, evidence-based conservation actions for the delivery phase.

This is a full-time, fixed-term contract for up to 12 months and is subject to confirmation of funding.

What's the role about?

We are looking for a collaborative and dedicated individual to help us deliver the development phase of our ambitious Saving Scotland's Scoters work programme. The project consists of: designing and testing management measures such as feeding area buffers, pike removal trials, and predator and competitor community assessments; as well as investigating, planning, costing and seeking approvals for site specific management solutions for individual lochs.

The successful candidate will be someone with a proven track record of delivering survey work for a range of species groups, with the ability to juggle multiple strands of work simultaneously to deliver high-quality work on the ground within tight timescales. The position is line managed by the Common Scoter Manager and you will work closely with RSPB’s reserve and regional staff, landowners and committed volunteers to help deliver work to inform a future delivery phase project, to improve the fortunes of Common Scoter in Scotland. This role will be dual located, with both home working and reserve/site visits required. Please note that as some of this work will take place in remote upland terrain and at times in harsh weather conditions, it will at times be physically demanding. Robust health and safety procedures for such work are in place.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Conservation knowledge: an understanding of upland ecosystems
• Demonstrable experience using standard survey and monitoring approaches for a range of species groups, and delivering desk-based research.
• Good communication skills, with the ability to speak and write about our work in a way that inspires and influences a variety of people.
• Experience of working collaboratively to achieve shared outcomes.
• Excellent organisational skills and a proven record of clear and competent data handling.
• Strong time-management and the ability to adapt to the changing needs of a field-based project.
• Competency in MS Office and experience (or a willingness to develop skills) in GIS packages.
• Full, manual driving licence that is valid in the UK, required due to the remote nature of the sites (or ability to access remote locations without public transport).

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience of working with contractors
• Specialist mapping software experience e.g. ArcGIS.
• Understanding of Common Scoter ecology
• Survey experience of aquatic invertebrates, mammals and water bird species
• A high level of fitness and ability to confidently and safely access and work in remote upland areas, which can be inaccessible to vehicles, in challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions.
• Boat handling skills and experience.

This is a Fixed-Term role for up to 12 months, 37.5 hours per week, subject to funding.

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from w/c 13th April 2026. For further information please contact [email protected].

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

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. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

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

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. 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.