Rainforest Restoration Trainee - Saving Morvern's Rainforest

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 and would like to work outdoors? We are looking for an enthusiastic trainee who is keen to learn about Rainforest Restoration. You will be part of a close team, helping to remove the invasive shrub Rhododendron ponticum from across the Morvern peninsula in the West Highlands. If left unmanaged, this species can dominate the woodland and stop trees and plants from growing.

What's the role about?

The role will be very practical and physically demanding at times. It will involve overnight stays in remote places, including islands off the coast of Morvern.

As a full-time member of staff, this traineeship will immerse you in the world of conservation for a whole year. It will give you the opportunity to develop practical transferable skills to help kickstart your career in conservation, including certifications in off road 4x4 driving, safe handling and application of herbicides, chainsaw and outdoor first aid.

Given the remote locations and limited public transport, the ability to drive is essential for this role. The types of activities you will be involved in include:

• As part of a small team you will assist with practical conservation land management, such as cutting and applying herbicide to invasive Rhododendron ponticum to prevent it from spreading in the rainforest.
• You will gain an understanding of what it takes to restore rainforest habitat to full health, and of the important species that live in the rainforest.
• You will learn how to service and maintain machinery, vehicles and equipment to ensure they are operating safely.
• You will be responsible for following appropriate health & safety compliance. 
• You will learn how to carry out ecological surveys and collect data.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• An enthusiasm to gain practical experience of conservation land management activities. 
• A keenness to learn how to operate and maintain a range of machinery, vehicles and equipment. 
• Good verbal communication skills, as you will be talking to, and developing good relationships with the owners/managers of the land the team is working on.
• Willingness to be a good team player.
• Ability and keenness to work outdoors in very remote places, and to meet the logistical, and physical challenges these places present. 
• Ability to use own initiative to solve day-to-day problems in the field. 
• Good personal time management skills. 
• Driving licence. Given the remote locations and limited public transport, the ability to drive is essential for this role. 

Desirable skills and experience:

• An interest in and enthusiasm for nature conservation. 
• Ability to learn how to keep records/manage data/use IT programmes

This is a Fixed-Term, Full-Time role for 12 months. 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 17th June 2024. For further information please contact ellen.bird@rspb.org.uk 

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.

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.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes.