Field Ornithologists/Survey Mentors – NI & England

£13.31 per hour (employed) or £18.90 per hour (self-employed).
Employed roles include an 11% employer pension contribution.
Equivalent annual salary: £25,608.44 (employed) or £36,363.60 (self-employed).

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is looking for two full-time Field Ornithologists/Survey Mentors for the spring survey season (April-June) in Northern Ireland, with a particular focus on the west of the province, full-time/part-time Field Ornithologists (April-July) to conduct surveys to evaluate the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) and part-time Field Surveyors to conduct bird and bat monitoring in four regions of England, South Suffolk/North Essex, Dartmoor, Yorkshire Dales and The Fens.

Field Ornithologist/Survey Mentor (BBS Surveys) – Northern Ireland, full time

The Field Ornithologists/Survey Mentors will work on Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) sites and mentoring of new, volunteer surveyors. Reasonable travel and subsistence costs will be paid, but the BTO cannot reimburse relocation costs. Part time will also be considered. The roles will be line-managed by Hala Haddad, BTO NI Research Ecologist.

Field Ornithologists (EFS surveys) – Northern Ireland, Full time/part time

The EFS Surveyor roles are required primarily in the west, south and north of Northern Ireland, and are expected to consist of one full-time role and a number of part-time roles, the latter with a minimum total work commitment of three full-time-equivalent days across the survey period to cover a single site, up to whatever a post-holder can commit to. The work consists of early-morning bird surveys of established sites, together with habitat recording and data inputting (the latter optional for part-time roles). Reasonable travel and subsistence costs will be paid, and a relocation (from elsewhere in Britain or Ireland) and accommodation package could be provided for the full-time role. These roles will be line-managed by David Norfolk, BTO Senior Science Officer in the Terrestrial Ecology Team.

Field Surveyors (LandSpAES Project)- England, Part time

The England roles (one per region) will involve bird surveys and passive acoustic bat monitoring, using bespoke methods, in selected 1km squares. Surveyors will organise and undertake a programme of surveys over up to 54 days within April-July. The roles are best suited to someone living in or near the target regions and reasonable travel and subsistence costs will be paid. Accommodation can be supported if no suitable, locally based candidate is available. These roles will be line-managed by David Norfolk, BTO Senior Science Officer in the Terrestrial Ecology Team.

You must be familiar with bird species found in Northern Ireland or the English region concerned and have experience of structured bird surveys. A current UK driving licence and access to a private vehicle are both essential for these roles. Some fieldwork will need to be undertaken very early or late in the day, at some remote locations and within some challenging terrain. As such, an ability and willingness to work flexibly, often at unsociable hours, and an appropriate level of fitness is essential. The NI roles are supported through funding from the DAERA Environment Fund and from a DAERA EFS monitoring project contract; the LandSpAES project is funded by Natural England.

You can read the full role descriptions by clicking on the role description under ‘supporting documents’ in the job details on our careers page. Please contact us if you are not sure if you meet all the criteria for the role and would like to discuss the role in more detail.

Please note that, if you are the successful candidate, you will be required to provide documentary evidence of your right to live and work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

What does BTO do?

BTO helps to secure the future for birds and nature, using our science, monitoring and data to inform good environmental decisions, inspiring others with the wonder of birds and empowering them to work with us. Our priority is to make a positive impact for birds, using our strong and objective science in partnership with others. We strive to work sustainably and to welcome everyone.

Our values:
We are evidence-led, inclusive, collaborative and empowering.

Birds Science People; it is a powerful combination – will you be part of it?

What we offer

• £13.31 to £18.90 per hour

Applies to employed staff only:

• Annual Leave: 25 days per year (plus bank holidays), increasing with service to 26 days after 5 years, 28 days after 10 years, and 30 days after 15 years (pro rata for part-time staff).
• Paid ‘journey days’ (up to 2 days) to staff who travel on holiday by land or sea instead of flying.
• Annual team away days
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• 11% employer pension contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced sick pay
• Enhanced Family leave pay
• Health cash plan
• Retail discounts through MyLifestyle.
• Cycling friendly employer- gold accredited
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free access to BTO training courses
• Free eye tests and a contribution of £49 towards prescription glasses for VDU use only.
• Free car parking
• Effective job evaluation policy that recognises where staff increase their level of responsibility over time
• Coaching and mentoring scheme
• Staff groups and forums- First Aiders and mental health first aiders, Coaching and mentoring, Diversity working, Sustainability and Natural Working, Becoming Inclusive, Neurodiversity group, LGBTQ+ group and our staff group creating a positive and welcoming culture to work in.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive environment
• Commitment to sustainability

The closing date for receipt of applications is 23:59 Tuesday 17th February and interviews will be held online on Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th February.

Enquiries about the BBS and mentoring work (NI) should go to Hala Haddad (BTO NI, [email protected]) or Andrew Upton (BTONI, [email protected]).

Enquiries about EFS monitoring (NI) or LandSpAES Project (England) to David Norfolk or Gavin Siriwardena (BTO HQ, Thetford; [email protected], [email protected]).

If you have a disability or long-term illness that otherwise prevents you from meeting any of the essential criteria, please contact us to discuss whether a reasonable adjustment could be made.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the vacancy.

We recognise that candidates from minority ethnic groups are under-represented in our organisation, and that there are often additional barriers present for people from these groups when applying for roles in the charity sector and beyond. We are committed to taking positive action to expand the diversity of our staff team, and if you meet the essential criteria for a role and are from a minority ethnic background, you’ll be guaranteed a first stage interview.

In cases where we receive a very high volume of applications, we may need to limit the number of Guaranteed Interview Scheme candidates progressing to interview.

Charity No. 216652 (E&W); SC039193 (Scotland)

The Field Ornithologist/Survey Mentor (BBS Surveys) roles in Northern Ireland are supported through funding from the DAERA Environment Fund.