Working With Rivers Trainee Placement

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We have an exciting opportunity for a 12 week paid trainee placement (as part of the NatureScot Working With Rivers programme).

Available Post: 3 month (12 week) trainee placement (40 hours per week).

Starting date: 14th March 2022

Location: Newton Stewart

Salary: £1,750 (gross) per month

Closing date for applications: 5pm 10th Feb (face to face interviews are planned for the 16th Feb)

Criteria stipulated by the funders requires applicants to be:

• Resident in Scotland
• Aged 25 years old or older
• If in work, then transitioning to net zero sectors, or at risk of redundancy; or have been made redundant.

The successful applicant will learn a wide range of general and specialised skills through working closely with GFT staff on a range of projects.  They will have opportunities to completing surveys, analysis data, liaison with stakeholders and input to developing work plans and report production. The trainee will be supported by GFT staff and receive appropriate formal training (including First Aid, Herbicide spraying and various other River Restoration courses) and further in-house training as required.  The trainee will be expected to be reliable and act professional at all times.    

Key projects that the trainee will have the opportunity to assist with delivering include:

• The Black Water of Dee habitat restoration project which is a multi-partner habitat restoration restoring 20 km of river downstream of a large hydro-dam – work will include various surveys, running volunteers training events and completing practical works (including gravel addition, conifer regen removal and deciduous tree planting).
• A project to design and cost a riparian tree planting scheme across a river headwater which aims to increase the resilience of these waters to climate change impacts.  The project includes public engagement.  The trainee will have the opportunity to design parts of these projects themselves.
• Analysing water quality data collected during winter 2021 in acidified catchments to examine role of degraded peatlands in poor water quality.
• Habitat restoration works including riparian tree planting and addition / securing woody debris.
• Invasive non-native plant species control (Giant hogweed and Skunk cabbage).  This will include completing surveys, planning work programmes and undertaking control work.

The candidate must be motivated, hardworking and willing to work outdoors during all weather conditions.  There may be a requirement to undertake some lone working from time to time.  The position will be based at Newton Stewart (Dumfries and Galloway).  Applicants should have a strong interest in the environment and conservation.  A driving license and an Environmental qualification is desirable but not essential.

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter to Jamie Ribbens (jamie@gallowayfisheriestrust.org) explaining why you would be suitable for the post and how it would help to develop your career.  Closing date is 5pm on 10th Feb (face to face interviews to be held on 16th Feb).

‘Working with Rivers’ is delivered by NatureScot, with National Transition Training Fund support from Skills Development Scotland.