We are currently recruiting for the following 3 positions for the ‘LIFE Raft project - Rathlin Acting for Tomorrow: Removing invasive non-native ferrets and rats from the Rathlin Island SPA, Northern Ireland. The contracts on offer are:

1 x full-time 18 month Ferret Trapper (with potential for extension)

2 x full-time 9 month Ferret Trappers (with potential for extension)

About Rathlin Island 

Rathlin Island is 4km off the County Antrim coast and is Northern Ireland’s only inhabited offshore island, with a permanent community of around 160 people. At a national and international level, Rathlin’s seabird populations are important but invasive non-native ferrets and rats threaten their status

The project has been made possible with funding from EU LIFE; National Lottery Heritage Fund; and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), (with contributions from RSPB NI, Rathlin Development and Community Association (RDCA) and support from the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust (CCGHT)) 

About the roles

We are looking for motivated people to support the Ferret Trapping Co-ordinator (FTC), and Eradication Delivery Manager (EDM), and become a member of the ferret eradication team on Rathlin.  

Successful candidates will work with the FTC and EDM to implement the eradication plan and get the project eradication ready by Autumn 2023. Once declared ready by external advisors, ferret eradication will begin. Successful candidates will then be expected to check traps daily across the uneven terrain of Rathlin and in all weathers.  Successful candidates will be expected to carry heavy loads and be able to humanely dispatch animals. Throughout the project, successful candidates will be expected to demonstrate best practice and adhere to health and safety requirements.  

Given the project is based on an offshore island, candidates will be expected to spend extended periods of time living on Rathlin. Team members will be provided accommodation on island and are expected to live as a member of the island’s community. Candidates should be prepared to adapt to inclement weather and resulting changes in work schedules.  A willingness to adapt to the needs of the project will be useful.  

We feel the roles provide a unique opportunity to gain experience in the globally important field of island restoration within Northern Ireland. The roles will also offer candidates the chance to work as part of a diverse team that will utilise emerging technologies and techniques in the first global attempt at ferret eradication.  

Successful candidates will be managed by the FTC and will provide support to them, and the wider LIFE Raft team.? 

Contracts will initially be for the periods stated above with the possibility of extension into the rat eradication phase of the project.??This will be determined as the project develops. 

 Please note, interviews for this position will take place on Rathlin over 2 days.   

Key Result Areas

• Monitoring traps, recording of trap activity and reporting trapping outcomes to Ferret Trapping Co-ordinator during the ferret eradication project
• Delivery of successful ferret operational plan as part of a team
• Manage all relevant data to ensure it is stored and analysed appropriately to allow review of work programmes and future planning.
• Build appropriate positive relationships with key external partners and stakeholders so that LIFE Rafts objectives can be achieved.
• Other work as required and directed by manager in support of the project’s objectives  

Daily activities:

• Work as part of a team to deliver ferret eradication on Rathlin 
• Check traps and collect data related to trapping during ferret eradication
• Routinely check trap locations, maintain and calibrate traps
• Adhere to health and safety requirements and practices

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience of working in the field conditions
• Experience of working in isolated locations
• An ability to work as part of a team and take direction
• Experience of communicating and working effectively with landowners  
• Flexible approach to working hours

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience of working with/or trapping ferrets or equivalent mustelid
• Firearms License
• Experience of other eradication projects
• Humane dispatch experience
• Competent IT user

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position week commencing 8th May 2023. For further information please contact irene.sabiniarz@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 reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.