You could live and work in one of Scotland’s most beautiful areas.
An exciting job opportunity for wildlife lovers has come up(Image: Niall Benvie, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)
A rare job opportunity to work in the Scottish wilderness has come up, and free bothy accommodation is included. The positions will be based at the extensive Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve near the town of Dunkeld in Perth and Kinross.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust is currently looking to hire four wildlife protection officers on an eight-week contract between the months of April and June. The roles pay a salary of £24,479 pro rata, with the successful candidates working 17.5 hours per week.
The wildlife protection officers will be housed on-site in a loch-side wooden eco-bothy for the duration of the role. According to the Countryside Jobs Service website, the candidates will also get the opportunity to gain experience in species ID, use of webcam and security camera software, working with volunteers, and public engagement.
The jobs offer a rare opportunity to live and work in one of Scotland’s most beautiful areas, with the Loch of the Lowes covering 130 hectares. Meanwhile, as reported by the Daily Record, Dunkeld was previously named Scotland’s “best place to live”.
Duties will include monitoring and recording breeding ospreys’ behaviour, providing protection for the reserve’s resident ospreys and other species, and engaging with members of the public as part of regular patrols around the reserve. Additionally, the wildlife protection officers will be expected to intervene and take action in incidents of disturbance.
Other tasks will include monitoring additional webcams for beaver activity and other wildlife footage and working closely with visitor centre staff and volunteers. Meanwhile, the successful candidates will also manage observational data and produce an end of season summary report.
The jobs will be based at the Loch of the Lowes nature reserve near Dunkeld(Image: Autumn colours from the Loch of the Lowes by M J Richardson, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)
In order to apply for the positions, candidates should possess a good knowledge of natural history, species ID, and surveying skills, as well as an interest in and passion for nature conservation and the ability to communicate with others in an approachable and confident manner. Experience of bird monitoring or species protection work, and of conflict resolution, is also desirable.
Other attributes applicants must possess include a reasonable standard of physical fitness and personal resilience to working in cold conditions, an understanding of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, and good computer literacy skills. They should also be happy to work unsociable hours and have a flexible approach to work, while a driver’s license is also advantageous.
The Countryside Jobs Service website states that the wildlife protection officer roles will be dependent on the return of breeding ospreys. Additionally, Covid-19 precautions will be applied, particularly with regards to the bothy accommodation.
The roles will be dependent on the return of breeding ospreys(Image: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
The job listing states: “Scotland’s leading nature conservation charity is looking for enthusiastic individuals to undertake the role of Wildlife Protection Officer (WPO) based at Loch of the Lowes. This paid role includes free accommodation, invaluable training and the opportunity to develop experience in species protection, working with volunteers and public engagement.
“Based at Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve, this eight-week role will focus on providing osprey and other wildlife species protection during the sensitive period of the breeding season. The role will require working closely with the Perthshire Ranger, the Volunteer Nest Protection Team and Visitor Centre staff.
“Successful candidates will be housed on-site, in a lochside, wooden eco-bothy for the duration of the role.”
The closing date for applications is 12pm on January 30, while interviews will take place the week beginning February 16.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust champions the cause of wildlife through policy and campaign work, and aims to inspire people to take positive action through its education and engagement activities. It manages a network of more than 100 wildlife reserves across Scotland.
More information about the positions can be found on the Countryside Jobs Service website.