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.
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
Additional Information
There are two roles available, both are full time, fixed term roles for 37.5 hours per week until 31st December 2027.
Closing date: Sunday November 8th, 2026 at 11:59 PM
We aim to conduct interviews for this position from the week of the 9th November.
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)
- Driver’s license valid for use in the UK