Field Ornithologist

MacArthur Green is a Glasgow-based environmental consultancy, seeking a Field Ornithologist. We
specialise in providing ecology and ornithology consultancy services to large-scale renewable
projects such as onshore and offshore wind farms, as well as natural capital schemes and grid
network projects.

MacArthur Green has recently been acquired by SLR Consulting, so the successful candidate will
be joining MacArthur Green at an exciting time. The transition to being part of SLR Consulting
in 2025 will create interesting and varied opportunities. SLR is a global consultancy and
offers significant potential for career development and enhancement based on performance. The
culture, flat management structure and straightforward approach to project management ensures
everyone has the opportunity to progress and work on interesting projects with valued clients.

The Field Ornithologist role will be primarily site-based so you must love the great outdoors
and be prepared to work in all the elements. Lone working will be required, so you must be
resourceful and content to work alone.

You must live within commuting distance of our office and be willing to travel and work away
from home. You will have long drives to site in addition to your commute to the office, and for
sites in remote locations you will have to stay away from home Monday to Friday. Ornithology
survey work involves a mixture of early starts and late finishes, so you need to be flexible
and enjoy variety in your working week.

You will carry out the following surveys:

• Flight activity surveys, breeding wader surveys, black grouse surveys;
• Breeding raptor and other Schedule 1 species surveys (if you hold a NatureScot Schedule 1
  license);
• Other specialist ornithological surveys as required.

You may also get the opportunity to work with our ecology team and assist with other types of
surveys such as bats, water quality and peat depth surveys (training will be provided as
necessary).

University qualifications are not necessary; however you must be able to demonstrate the
following experience:

• Experience of undertaking ornithology surveys and recording data accurately;
• Experience of working in remote outdoor environments (including navigation using compass
  and OS maps);
• Excellent ID skills – Schedule 1 raptors and other Scottish bird species.
• Full UK driving license (manual driving essential, 4×4 experience ideal but training
  provided if necessary);
• Proficient in Microsoft software such as Outlook, Word and Excel.

The following are not essential but would be beneficial to the role:

• A current or recent Schedule 1 licence from NatureScot;
• Experience monitoring Schedule 1 raptors and other species in Scotland;
• A working knowledge of ornithological guidance, legislation and policy; and
• An understanding of the environmental planning system in relation to ornithological impact
  assessments.

Benefits

Employment Type: Full time, fixed term (April to August)
Salary: from £26,000 dependent on experience
Holidays: 32 days pro rata

We devote time and resource to supporting and developing our team. We offer training and career
development opportunities, monthly walk and talk catch ups with your line manager, and annual
appraisals. Depending on your passion to progress and the time you have available, we will work
with you to develop your specialism and valuable sector knowledge.

Location

MacArthur Green is based in Glasgow. Our glass fronted office look out onto the banks of the
River Kelvin where our team enjoy seeing kingfisher and salmon, and occasionally otters. We
have fresh fruit delivered every week, and a constant supply of sustainably-sourced coffee and
tea.

We are registered as a Disability Confident employer. Please see our website recruitment page
or get in touch to find out how we can help you feel confident that we are the right place of
work for you. We offer a guaranteed interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum
criteria for this role and will endeavour to make any reasonable adjustments for the successful
candidate.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early. Please submit your application as soon as
possible. No recruitment consultants please.