Red Squirrel Ranger

Red Squirrels Northern England has a simple mission:

Secure and increase red squirrel range in and beyond the designated Strongholds.

We have recruited and deployed a large team of Rangers and contractors to undertake grey squirrel control in areas important for red squirrels. This team are working alongside private landowners and local red squirrel groups to build the effective control networks needed to prevent further losses of red squirrels through disease transmission and food competition with grey squirrels.

The impact of our work on red squirrels will be carefully assessed through landscape-scale, bi-annual monitoring which began in spring 2012. The monitoring results show there are still red squirrels right across northern England, a great testament to the conservation efforts already in place.

Position Overview:

The Red Squirrel Ranger is responsible for the delivery of grey squirrel control in defined geographical areas across the northern England area.

Responsibilities:

Direct 

• Carry out grey squirrel control in specific woodlands within a defined geographical area.
• Control will be undertaken using a limited number of agreed, humane techniques specific to each ranger patch.
• Record geographical and ecological information on standard forms while undertaking Ranger duties and submit completed forms to the line manager monthly.
• Work with landowners and managers within the project area to gain access to land for grey squirrel control work, and secure their continued cooperation in order to carry out efficient red squirrel conservation work.
• Support and encourage land managers and other groups in their red squirrel conservation efforts, building contact networks throughout the geographical patch and encouraging standardised information recording and regular information sharing.
• Engage with local communities (especially local red squirrel conservation groups) to maintain and expand collaborative approaches to red squirrel conservation.
• Promote the understanding of squirrel pox virus and other diseases in red squirrels to local communities so that disease outbreaks are managed accordingly, and ensure that dead red squirrels are submitted for post-mortem. 

Indirect 

• To report to stakeholder groups as required 

Qualifications:

Essential Attributes

• Demonstrable understanding and experience of practical conservation skills, with extensive countryside management experience.
• Experience of operating live capture traps, and the use of humane dispatch techniques, including shooting and cranial dispatch.
• Confidence and experience in handling firearms and hold all current relevant certificates.
• Ability to work effectively with landowners and volunteers.
• Knowledge of wildlife issues and law relating to wildlife.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software.
• Ability to work efficiently on their own, and also as part of a team.
• Commitment to communicating the conservation message to a wide audience.
• Confidence to deliver workshops and training sessions if required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and good mapping and data recording skills.

Desirable Attributes 

• Experience of report writing and data collection.
• Detailed geographical knowledge of the specific area of work. 

Additional Information:

Further information can be found here.

Compensation: Scale starts at £14,914.

To Apply:

Please click "Apply Now Online!" to submit your cover letter and CV addressed to Russell Tait.