Job Title: Biological Recording Trainee (Species on the Edge)

Responsible To: Conservation Manager Scotland

Location: Home based in North or Mid-Argyll area with travel required across the project area

Salary: £23,088 gross per annum (increasing to £24,242 from 1st April 2025) plus 8% employer pension contribution

Contract: Fixed term post for 12 months

Hours: 37 hours per week

Butterfly Conservation is offering an exciting 12-month traineeship opportunity in Argyll & the Inner Hebrides as part of the Species on the Edge programme. The role will be focused on learning biological recording of butterflies and moths with opportunities to work on other species within the wider programme too.

This role is an entry level position offering training and development opportunities to develop key skills and experience along the way to enable you to apply for related roles by the end of the contract. Previous skills and experience in conservation are not required. If you have a passion for nature conservation, enthusiasm to learn and an interest in butterflies and moths, then this could be the role for you!

Through the traineeship you will learn survey and monitoring techniques for butterfly and moths, gain experience in a wide range of skills such as volunteer engagement, data management and habitat restoration, as well as benefiting from shadowing other staff and undergoing training courses. You will work closely with Species on the Edge project officers based in Argyll, and other Butterfly Conservation staff across Scotland.

Whilst this is a home-based working role, you will be required to travel within Scotland as required. A good level of fitness and a passion for spending time outdoors is essential, even in typical Scottish summer weather!

You will need to be self-motivated, well organised and able to work independently, as part of a virtual team, and be enthusiastic to pitch-in with Scottish colleagues where required. Although Gaelic language is not a prerequisite it is a desirable skill in support of our commitment to the Species on the Edge Gaelic Language Policy.

Species on the Edge is a ground-breaking partnership programme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, of NatureScot and seven nature conservation charities, all dedicated to improving the fortunes of 37 priority species found along Scotland's coast and islands.

A Gaelic language version of the advert can be found in the job attachments section below.

Butterfly Conservation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We are dedicated to encouraging a supportive and inclusive culture. Please tell us if there are any reasonable adjustments, we can make to help you in your application or with our recruitment process.

Candidates must have the right to work and be resident in the UK.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early before the advertised closing date and time.

No Agencies please

Closing date for applications: Sunday 15th December at midnight

Interviews will take place on: w/c 6th January 2025, with second stage interviews w/c 13th January 2025

Click here to download full job description and application guidance.