Job opportunities

Ex-situ data volunteer

What’s involved?

The role will primarily involve assisting the ex-situ conservation (wildcat captive management) team with daily behavior monitoring via CCTV and data recording from enclosures in our Conservation Breeding for Release Centre (CBRC), in an office environment.

The data volunteer will work closely with our experienced wildcat keeper team and will be managed by the ex-situ conservation manager. Training will be given for using our extensive CCTV system as well as training in the implementation and adherence to a behaviour monitoring protocol and database. Additional duties may also be carried out to support the keeper team including, but not limited to, food preparation, vehicle maintenance, enclosure maintenance and enrichment building.

The volunteer will also have the opportunity to learn directly from our keeper team about wildcat management, breeding and development prior to their release into the wild.

Where?

The successful candidate will work alongside the project team in the Saving Wildcats office at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig. When? This is a full-time position in office hours (Monday-Friday between 09:00-17:00), with possible working hours on some weekends as agreed by the ex-situ manager in advance. Hours during a week will not exceed the equivalent of a full-time working week. The position will be available from 27 May to 30 August 2024, with the provisional opportunity to extend to six months.

Who with?

Data management will be undertaken independently with training and support provided by the exsitu team. Any additional duties will be carried out under direction of the ex-situ manager and keeper team.

What will the experience provide?

Volunteering will give you the opportunity to contribute directly towards conservation efforts for the critically endangered wildcat in Scotland, as part of the Saving Wildcats team. You will learn about the conservation issues affecting wildcats and the actions being taken to prevent their extinction.

This includes developing an understanding of the daily activities carried out at the first dedicated Conservation Breeding for Release Centre (CBRC) for wildcats in the UK, and of the field programme that assesses potential release sites and mitigates the threats facing wildcats in Scotland today. You will gain direct practical experience of CCTV use, species specific behaviour monitoring, data handling and recording, as well as an insight into the design and management of a dedicated conservation breeding for release centre. We’ll provide you with full training and ongoing support from the ex-situ conservation team.

You will also be provided with accommodation (a private room in a shared hostel located in a town near Highland Wildlife Park), expenses of up to £50 per week, and a discount to be used on-site at Highland Wildlife Park for lunch. Transport to and from the hostel to Highland Wildlife Park will be provided on working days, but you will be responsible for your own transportation outside of working hours so having your own vehicle may be advantageous.

What we’re looking for:

A strong interest in Scottish Wildcat recovery and conservation and a desire to learn about the challenges involved in species translocations. Confidence in handling large datasets, and meticulous attention to detail. Good eye for detail and subtle behaviour changes.

Previous experience of working in a zoo environment or experience with wild animal behaviour monitoring / observations would be desirable but not essential.

Most of the time will be spent in our CCTV control room, working independently from a set protocol with guidance from our ex-situ team. The candidate will however need to work well with others and be able to communicate effectively as regular exchanges with keepers will be needed. You will have a responsible attitude to health and safety, be well organised and motivated with the ability to demonstrate initiative and work unsupervised.

You will need to be at least 18 years of age and will be required to provide two referees who will be contacted with your consent. You will also be required to undergo a basic disclosure check prior to volunteering, which you will be reimbursed for once you have begun volunteering.

RZSS is committed to being fair, open and inclusive. We believe that RZSS benefits from the involvement of volunteers from diverse cultures, perspectives and experiences. We accept people of all genders, races, disabilities, ages, religious beliefs, and sexualities to be part of RZSS. We try to make our spaces and working conditions as accessible as possible and welcome requests to accommodate the individual. We expect our volunteers to adhere to the Guidelines on Equality and Diversity upon induction and throughout their time volunteering to us.