The Beauly Fishery Board are seeking to employ a Senior Biologist on a maternity cover basis. The Beauly catchment includes the Rivers Beauly, Farrar and Glass, as well as the Beauly Firth and numerous tributaries. The role covers an eclectic range of tasks, from carrying out juvenile fish surveys, smolt monitoring for improved smolt survival, furthering our habitat improvement work, data handling for report writing, to managing/ recruiting staff. Excellent communication and organising skills are needed to work with a range of stakeholders and to get work done in a small team.
For a full Job Description see below.
Renumeration will be commensurate with experience and will include pension contribution. Hours are likely to be 35hrs/ week although part-time and flexible working will be considered.
Applications may be submitted in the form of a CV and covering letter to inverness@bidwells.co.uk by midnight Monday 24 July, with interviews expected early August. We are anticipating the successful candidate to be in post from beginning-middle of September (for shadowing to end of October) until the end of November 2024. For any queries please contact ruth@beaulyfisheryboard.org (07391553647).
JOB DESCRIPTION
|
Job Title
|
Senior Biologist
|
|
Location
|
Beauly Fishery Board Office, fieldwork across the catchment, some home working possible.
|
|
Responsible to
|
Chairman of the Board
|
|
Working hours
|
35 hours per week (some weekend working during the smolt run) although part-time and flexible working will be considered.
|
|
Holidays
|
30 days (including bank holidays)
|
|
Renumeration
|
Commensurate with experience (also 5% pension contribution)
|
Organisation
The Beauly Fishery Board is a conservation organisation who’s remit is defined by statute, we are dedicated to protecting salmon and sea trout. We also deliver work on behalf of the Ness and Beauly Fisheries trust, resultantly our work covers the river environment as a whole. We work with a range of stakeholders including anglers, landowners, SSE and government organisations. We are based 12 miles to the west of Inverness.
Description of Role
The Senior Biologist is responsible for implementation of our Fishery Management Plan for the protection, monitoring and management of wild salmon and sea trout populations and their habitats in the rivers, lochs and coastal areas of the Beauly district. This involves both office-based and outdoor work, often in or around water and can be physically demanding.
The Senior Biologist will be an excellent communicator, liaising with a range of external bodies (e.g. SSE, angling clubs, academic institutions, FMS, SEPA, fishery trusts, ghillies and fishery owners). They will demonstrate resilience, maturity, self-motivation and genuine enthusiasm for the role.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
To implement the delivery of the Fisheries Management Plan for the Beauly District, in line with relevant statutory requirements and guidance.
Improve our understanding of the status of salmon and sea trout in the catchment through electro-fishing and analysis of adult fish counts.
Co-ordinate targeted fisheries management activities to maximise the natural production of salmon and sea trout in the Beauly district, including contract work where appropriate, specifically this includes;
-Close liaison with SSE and SEPA in relation to improving sediment management at intakes and large hydro dams in the catchment.
-Possible costing of restoration projects and grant application
-Engagement with landowners to encourager riparian tree planting/ regeneration in the upper catchment
-Working as a partner in the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative. Assisting the Project Officer in the delivery of invasive non-native species plant control and mink. Working with volunteers.
-Delivering smolt monitoring with SSE, staff and volunteers to ensure improved smolt survival at the hydro dams.
Responding to consultations to get the best for the Beauly catchment e.g. overhead powerlines and electricity infrastructure, forestry etc.
Investigating pollution incidents or other fish concerns. Providing advice to landowners and proprietors.
Work with and manage the Fisheries Officer/ Bailiff, seasonal staff, interns and volunteers. Feed into the recruitment of seasonal staff.
Regular reporting to the board via quarterly updates, and good communication with the Chairperson and Clerk.
Maintain close working relationships with key external organisations including SSE, SEPA, FMS and neighbouring fishery boards.
Being responsible for health and safety through the updating of risk assessments, RIDDOR reporting etc.
Skills and Background
The post holder is required to have a minimum of two years’ experience of working in a similar field.
The following qualities are essential:
• Qualification to degree level or above (or equivalent) in a biological or environmental subject; • An understanding of the riverine environment and catchment pressures; • SFCC electro-fishing certificate (or equivalent) with survey experience; • Experience in conducting field surveys (in pairs, alone or in remote locations); • Excellent organising skills and record keeping •Experience in report writing and competency in Microsoft Office packages; • Data handling experience (excel) •A full UK driving licence, ideally with trailer towing endorsement; • Excellent communication skills with an ability to engage and liaise with a wide range of stakeholders; and • Energy to deliver the work programme and a pro-active attitude.
The following qualities are desirable:
• Smolt trapping experience; • Experience of costing and writing grant applications; •R package skills, • Basic competency in ArcGIS • Volunteer management experience. • Staff management experience
