RSPB – EFS Monitoring Officer Antrim Plateau

We are looking for a fieldworker to undertake a range of habitat and breeding wader surveys across a range of farmland habitats in the Antrim Hills, one of the last remaining strongholds for breeding waders in Northern Ireland.

• Undertaking habitat surveys to assess the condition and suitability of breeding wader habitat.
• Conducting modified Brown and Shepard breeding wader surveys to identify and record breeding behaviour of key wader species.
• Timely and accurate reporting of data to an online portal and archiving of paper field sheets.
• Maintaining effective relationships with landowners, tenants and the public, to ensure effective project delivery

This survey work is part of the Antrim Hills Curlew Initiative (AHCI) a Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) funded project to create and maintain suitable breeding wader habitat in the Antrim Hills to safeguard breeding waders.

• Degree level qualification in a relevant subject or ability to show equivalent work experience.
• Sufficient understanding of species and habitats of the project area.
• A good knowledge of breeding wader ecology.
• An understanding of the Environmental Farming Scheme/Agri Environment Schemes
• Ability to collect data in the field and record online.
• Ability to work effectively as a team player.
• Proficient at using Microsoft Office packages including Outlook, Excel & Word.
• Full driving licence.

• Demonstrable practical field skills of waders in breeding habitat, particularly of Curlew and Lapwing, by sight and sound.
• Competency in use of GIS.
• Understanding of the concept of landscape scale conservation and the pressures on land use in the operational area of this role.