Conservation Project Officer – Project Support

About us

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is a wildlife conservation charity with a bold vision: a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.

Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park are our gateways to the natural world through which people can experience nature.

RZSS are the lead partner for Saving Wildcats, the first reintroduction project for wildcats in the UK dedicated to their recovery through captive breeding for release and threat mitigation. This role provides an exciting opportunity to join one of the UK’s leading reintroduction projects and contribute long-term conservation for the species.

How you’ll contribute to our work

Carry out a varied range of project support activities to ensure the smooth running of the Saving Wildcats partnership project, including administrative, financial, and project communications in support of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS’s) vision and mission.

In addition, provide further support to key conservation department activities (e.g. community engagement events, field monitoring, ex-situ management, and invertebrate projects) alongside Saving Wildcats’ Outreach and Engagement Manager.

This is a fixed term position, expected to last until 31 March 2029.

Some of the things you’ll do:

• Support the Saving Wildcats Project with a full range of administration service and support duties including for example: collation of weekly and monthly reports, coordination of external and internal meetings, planning of outreach events, and field monitoring
• Contribute to the preparation of relevant financial and technical reports.
• Perform a range of financial administrative services for the project in liaison with the Finance Department adhering to agreed timelines and standards.
• Working with other members of the conservation team to undertake operational delivery of some field-based actions.
• Conduct a range of tasks in support of the Saving Wildcats partnerships e.g. arranging and attending meetings, taking minutes, processing payments, disseminating communications and reports, web page support, identifying and checking communications
• When necessary, or as requested by line manager, represent the project at external meetings and communicate with the public
• Responsible for collecting and managing key project data with high level of accuracy and attention to detail (e.g. wildcat release paperwork)
• Responsible for coordinating volunteers and students
• Coordinate materials ordering and stock control processes for the project working to agreed procedures, budgets and standards.

What we’re looking for:

• Qualified to degree-level or equivalent experience in ecology, biology, sociology or environment or social sciences related discipline
• Sound knowledge and understanding of conservation issues involved in species recovery.
• Good understanding of Scottish and global conservation issues.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Proficiency in field work skills and fieldwork organisation
• Experience using Adobe Packages (e.g. Photoshop, InDesign)
• Experience of practical animal conservation techniques, equipment use, and data handling (for example animal handling camera-trapping).

What you’ll get in return:

• Starting salary of £25,867 to £26,514 based on experience with the opportunity to progress to £28,832 per annum.
• 37.5 working week (may require some evening/ weekend working on occasion)
• 34 days annual leave
• Discount in both retail/catering
• Access to a healthcare plan
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), that provide 24-hour counselling and support, including health, legal, finance, wellbeing and family advice
• Employer contributory pension scheme
• You will receive a staff membership which will give you (and family/friends) free (and discounted) entry to both the Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo as well as a number of other Zoo’s across the UK.

If this role excites you and aligns with your career aspirations, click APPLY now.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate’s right to work in the UK and Basic Disclosure check/PVG Check.

Interested candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications ASAP.

RZSS is an equal opportunities employer. Our policy is to recruit a diverse workforce following the guidelines of the Equality Act 2010.

We offer a range of great benefits which you can read about here.