Job Description Ecosystem Health Officer Grade: 6 Directorate: Conservation Location: HQ Slimbridge Reporting to: Senior Ecosystem Health Officer Main function of post: To organise and undertake wildlife and wetland health research, surveillance, data management, and laboratory diagnostic, reporting and administrative aspects of WWT s health programmes. Supervisory responsibilities: Volunteers Hours worked: 37.5 Working pattern: Full time 9.00am - 5.30pm Main duties of the post 1. To assist in a range of wildlife and ecosystem health projects including research and advocacy (including websites) for solutions to key wetland wildlife health problems. 2. To help organise day to day coordination of the UK s wild bird avian influenza surveillance programme (Defra-contract) e.g. data collation, entry and management from WWT centres, plus organising logistics of sampling. 3. To conduct diagnostic laboratory screening of captive and wild animal samples as part of WWT s animal health management and research, and to arrange and monitor actions leading from screening activities. 4. To be responsible for organising logistics for animal health field work at WWT centres and further afield, including supporting the Conservation Breeding and wider animal health team dealing with processing and shipping of samples. 5. To be responsible for captive animal and wildlife health record management, maintaining health databases and undertaking periodic analysis and report writing. 6. To be responsible for day to day management of the animal health aspects of the Conservation Laboratory and offering advice and assistance on lab procedures to other lab users from other Departments and Directorates.
7. To support the Conservation Directorate s wider technical laboratory needs including periodic water quality testing as part of broader wetland conservation projects. 8. To provide general support for the Ecosystem Health Unit on an ad hoc basis. 9. To implement all WWT systems within the Ecosystem Health Unit including financial management, Health & Safety and sustainability. In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed, the post holder is required to perform any other reasonable duties that may be assigned by the supervisor shown above, from time to time. Date raised: August 2017 Amended:
Person Specification 1. Qualifications Degree or equivalent in a biological science/laboratory skills. Higher degree in a biological science. 2. Experience Research skills Laboratory diagnostic skills Good computer literacy - ability to work with MS Office, in particular Excel Data handling experience with an attention to detail Good written and spoken communication skills Organisation skills Report writing Basic data analysis skills Well-developed time management and prioritisation skills An ability to conduct routine tasks associated with research and health surveillance. Use of bioassays Database design and management skills, in particular Access Fieldwork skills Website maintenance and design. 3. Managerial & Supervisory Type of staff Number managed Number supervised Employed Staff 0 0 Volunteers / Casual Workers 0 <3 Contractors 0 0
4. Responsibility Able to use initiative and take responsibility for the consequences of their actions. Day to day management of the animal health aspects of the Conservation Laboratory. Day to day coordination of health surveillance and associated diagnostic screening. Wildlife health record management including maintaining health databases. Levels of Responsibility: Type of Responsibility Level ( s) Expenditure (exc. payroll) 500 Cash Handling 1000 Assets (required for job, exc. buildings) 5000 Visitors (per annum) 10 5. Creative Ability Excellent team player, with proven communication and project coordination skills Self-motivated and enthusiastic Able to take initiative Willingness to learn Dedication to nature conservation Ability to participate in fieldwork Website maintenance and design skills 6. Contact Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well in teams for field work, with centre staff for surveillance activities and within the office/lab environment
General Notes The post may occasionally require work during evenings, weekends and public holidays to meet the needs of the post. There will some fieldwork and travel to, and staying at, other WWT centres i.e. the person may be away from home for e.g. two or three days at a time. A current driving licence is useful as travel for fieldwork and to WWT centres is a requirement of the post.