Rainforest Restoration Team Manager

You only need to step foot in Scotland's lush, verdant and atmospheric rainforests to understand their enchantment. Bursting with biodiversity, these woodlands are one of the world's rarest habitats. But Scotland's Rainforest is in trouble and urgent action is needed to save it. 

The Morvern peninsula contains some of Scotland's finest remaining rainforest, and there is immense potential to restore and expand this habitat for the benefit of people and wildlife. Through the RSPB-led Saving Morvern's Rainforest project, we hope to support landowners, land managers and the local community to realise their vision of a thriving, healthy rainforest.

Do you have a passion for nature conservation and enjoy working in the outdoors? Would you like the challenge of carrying out physically demanding habitat restoration work on a remote peninsula and islands? We are looking for a highly practical person to lead a small team dedicated to restoring rainforest across the Morvern peninsula in the West Highlands.

What's the role about?

The Team Manager will work closely with the Project Manager to lead on delivering a works programme of invasive rhododendron removal and assisting with the development of site plans, to achieve key conservation objectives of Saving Morvern’s Rainforest project.

Key work areas

• Accountable for leading, managing and supervising a small team of Rainforest Restoration Workers to deliver a works programme of practical habitat management and biological monitoring. This includes ensuring that they are fully competent, supported and equipped to deliver the work safely.
• Accountable for ensuring that all site operations are delivered in a safe and legally compliant manner and to the standards identified in best practice guidance.
• Accountable for machinery, vehicle and equipment maintenance, record keeping and systems management to ensure operator safety, legal compliance and efficiency. This includes mapping, recording and managing electronic data.
• Responsible for day-to-day relationship management with landowners and land managers to ensure positive relationships are maintained and to resolve any site-based issues.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

1. Practical experience of conservation land management activities, carried out to a high standard.
2. Demonstrable experience of leading, managing and supervising a team.
3. Project management experience & skills.
4. Ability to operate and maintain a range of machinery, vehicles and equipment, with a good knowledge of site-based Health & Safety management.
5. Excellent 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 the team is working.
6. Ability and keenness to work outdoors in very remote places, and to meet the logistical, and physical challenges these places present.
7. Experience in record keeping /data management/ IT literate.
8. Ability to use own initiative to solve day-to-day problems in the field.
9. Excellent personal time management and prioritisation skills.
10. Driving licence. Given the remote locations and limited public transport, the ability to drive is essential for this role or ability to access remote locations without use of public transport.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

11. An interest in and enthusiasm for nature conservation, and knowledge of relevant habitat restoration practices, including rhododendron removal techniques and woodland creation.
12. Practical range of land-based qualifications, e.g., safe handling and application of herbicides (PA1 & PA6), chainsaw, off-road 4x4 driving and Outdoor First Aid. These are advantageous but not a pre-requisite as relevant training can be provided across a range of skills for the right candidate. 
13. Experience using mapping programmes such as ArcGIS or Merlin. This is not a pre-requisite as training can be provided for the right candidate.

14. Experience in use of drones as a management tool for recording and monitoring work outcome. This is not a pre-requisite as training can be provided for the right candidate.

This is a Fixed-Term 30 month contract, Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week. 

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 18th March 2024 . For further information please contact Ellen.Bird@RSPB.org.uk.

As part of this application process you will be asked to 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.