Environmental Farming Scheme Monitoring Officer (Fixed-Term)

The Antrim Hills are one of Northern Ireland’s last remaining biodiversity hot spots, holding important breeding numbers of Curlews, Lapwings, Snipe, and Hen Harriers. As part of an incredible team, you will be working to help save the Curlew population through hands-on conservation work including breeding wader surveys and habitat condition assessments.

RSPB Northern Ireland is looking for an enthusiastic individual to monitor breeding waders and other species as an Environmental Farming Scheme Monitoring Officer on a five-month contract from March to August 2025. The successful candidate will need to regularly travel to site, and therefore will ideally be based within County Antrim.

This is an amazing opportunity to be working at the forefront of Curlew conservation in one of the most stunning landscapes in Northern Ireland.

What’s the role about?

Curlew and other breeding wader species in the UK have seen major population declines due to large-scale landscape changes throughout the 20th century which have resulted in habitat loss and increased generalist predator numbers. In Northern Ireland, breeding Curlews have declined by 82% since the 80s. With an estimated 250 pairs left we are in a race against time to stabilise and reverse this population decline.

Within recent years, Glenwherry has established itself at the forefront of Curlew conservation in the UK and Ireland. Producing enough chicks in the last three seasons to be optimistic that we might have turned the tide for this iconic species at the site. This role is funded by DAERA to deliver the objectives within the Antrim Hills Curlew Initiative – a group project within the Environmental Farming Scheme.

Your role will be to collect data on the breeding ecology of Curlew. This will include mapping the distribution, abundance, and behaviour of breeding Curlews and other moorland bird species, vegetation recording, and habitat assessments, assessing the abundance and distribution of key nest/chick predators (e.g. via fox scat surveys) and data entry. You may also be working alongside the Conservation Officer and other site staff to help provide more hands-on conservation work such as erecting nest protection fences.

Key Activities Will Include

• Conducting modified Brown and Shepherd breeding wader surveys.
• Conducting vegetation surveys, habitat mapping and assessments.
• Conducting predator scat surveys.
• Data entry and upkeep.
• Developing and upkeeping relationships with stake-holders and land-owners.

Essentials Skills, Knowledge And Experience

• You will have working knowledge of upland wildlife and habitats and some experience in bird surveying.
• Ability to identify a range of British birds by sight, specifically waders, birds of prey and farmland birds.
• Ability to undertake demanding fieldwork in remote areas for long hours and in poor weather.
• Ability to navigate using a map, compass and GPS.
• Capable of keeping accurate and legible records of data collected in the field.
• Practical experience of quantitative habitat surveys.
• Full drivers’ licence which is valid for use in the UK and access to a vehicle for the duration of the contract.

Desirables Skills, Knowledge And Experience

• Relevant degree or equivalent work experience.
• Knowledge of conservation issues relevant to the area

This is a 5-month, Fixed-Term role for 37.5 hours per week. 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.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on the 4th February 2025. For further information please contact [email protected]

As part of this application process, you will be asked to 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 is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

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