Fisheries and Conservation Advisor

This Authority is the statutory agency charged with protecting the marine environment of NW England.  Its duty is to achieve sustainable use of sea fishery resources of the inshore waters within its District by fisheries management and regulation.  The NWIFCA District stretches from the border with Wales in the Dee Estuary to the Scottish Border in the Solway Firth, includes the inland boundaries of its constituent local authorities and extends out to 6nm.  It includes large intertidal and estuarine environments such as Morecambe Bay, the Ribble, the Dee, the Mersey and the Solway.  A huge range of fishing activities take place and much of the District is designated marine protected area.

The purpose of this job is to work in a team of 3 delivering scientific and survey priorities.  You will contribute to the planning and delivery of a complex work programme and presentation of advice to the Authority.  The main duties are impact assessment, stock and species survey, GIS mapping, data analysis, reporting to the Authority and to Government.  In the next 2 years there is a particular need to complete the NW England share of the Habitats Regulations Assessments of the impacts of all fishing activities in European Marine Sites so that the European priority for a well managed network of marine protected areas in UK waters by end 2016 is achieved.

You will have experience of fisheries or marine environmental management and ideally a range of marine survey skills.  You will equally enjoy outdoor field work and deliver desk based analysis and reporting.  You will be trained in the use of ATV and small RIB type vessels and be keen to develop the Authority’s underwater survey skills using kit such as drop down cameras, side scan survey and benthic grabs.  You must be self-motivated, able to meet deadlines, enjoy working as part of a team, have confidence in dealing with a wide range of stakeholders, and have strong writing, verbal IT communication and presentation skills.

Starting salary will be dependent on experience and within the range £19,742 to £22,212 gross per annum (on a scale rising by annual increments to £27,123).  The Local Government Pension Scheme is in operation.

You will be based at the NWIFCA Carnforth office and the post involves travel throughout the District.  A full UK driving licence is essential and towing experience an advantage.  Hours are flexible based on an average 37 hour working week.  Outdoor survey work will include working early morning, late evenings and occasionally at weekends, as required by tides and in all weathers.  Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory medical examination (ML5).

 

SUMMARY JOB DESCRIPTION

 

Science and Survey Work

 

1. Assessing the impact of continuing and new fisheries activities in Marine Protected Areas and their conservation objectives, giving advice to the Authority and developing management measures.
2. Delivery of intertidal and at sea survey and monitoring often with partner organisations throughout the District using GIS mapping, ATV and vessels in all weathers and at all hours usually dependent on tides.
3. Shellfish and sea fish stock assessments and development of management advice.
4. Scientific data collection, analysis and advice to the Authority.
5. Keeping up to date with policy and new scientific developments relating to UK fisheries management and marine conservation.
6. Undertaking required training to carry out field work duties and complying with all health and safety requirements.

Reporting

 

1. Using GIS to create data tables, graphs and maps/charts to inform advice.
2. Preparation and presentation of reports for the Authority.
3. Contributing to reviews of the science programme and to annual science reports and plans.

 

Consultations and Liaison

 

1. Liaison and joint working with partner agencies such as MMO, Environment Agency, Natural England, local councils, GLA, CEFAS, NGOs and many others.
2. Liaison with the fishing industry, fisheries and conservation stakeholders, and representing the Authority at meetings.
3. Co-ordinating a NWIFCA response to consultations on developments in the marine environment.
4. Providing a response to enquiries from the fishing industry and the public.
5. Contributing information for the NWIFCA website and quarterly newsletter

 

Policy Advice

 

1. Providing scientific advice on fisheries and conservation policy and management.
2. Maintaining a wide knowledge of UK environmental and fisheries legislation to facilitate the fulfilment of NWIFCA’s statutory responsibilities.  This will include specifications and requirements of European Marine Sites, MCZ, SSSIs, and Ramsar sites.
3. Contributing to achievement of NWIFCA annual plan and high level objectives.

 

NWIFCA –Fisheries and Conservation Advisor- PERSON SPECIFICATION
	ESSENTIAL	DESIRABLE
Education	Good degree, in a Marine, Fisheries or Environmental subject	MSc (Fisheries or Marine Environment)
Experience	One year’s experience of fisheries and/or marine environmental management or surveys.	Experience of littoral survey work Involvement with the enforcement of marine conservation legislation
Knowledge	Up to date knowledge of UK fisheries and marine environment.	Knowledge of EU and UK fisheries legislation, NWIFCA byelaws, commercial fishing, angling, marine conservation and marine NGOs.
Technical Skills	IT skills with high competency in Word, Excel, Outlook, GIS. Report writing and verbal presentation. Willing to undertake training such as ATV use and boat handling.	Advanced GIS especially MapInfo Database use and development Experience of handling ATVs and towing trailers. Boat experience/qualifications
Personal Attributes	Enthusiasm for the marine environment Experience and confidence in dealing with a variety of people Self-motivated; able to work  independently and in a team. Flexible to adapt to changing work demands and priorities

 

How to apply

 

Applications should be in the form of full Curriculum Vitae, including the following:

 

• Name and current address, phone number and email
• Full employment history, including any gaps
• All qualifications completed with results
• Full educational history from starting secondary school, with results and grades
• Details of any IT skills, qualifications and experience
• Details of any relevant marine or fisheries experience
• Details of any relevant courses completed e.g. boat handling or marine safety
• Details of driving licence (full, clean and which driving categories)
• Details of driving experience including towing trailers
• Interests and hobbies
• Details of any cautions or convictions you have received
• Names and addresses (with phone and email if possible) of 2 referees, one of which should be your most recent employer (or academic tutor)

 

Include with your application a short handwritten letter (up to 100 words) explaining why you think you are suitable for the post – this may be scanned and emailed if you are applying electronically.

 

Applications may be submitted by post or email by the closing date of Monday 29^th June 2015, to EITHER:

 

• NWIFCA, 1 Preston Street, Carnforth LA5 9BY        OR
• office@nw-ifca.gov.uk  (email applications will be acknowledged)