BAT ECOLOGIST WITH BAT CONSERVATION IRELAND
Job Description
Job Title: Bat Ecologist, Irish Bat Monitoring Programme
Employer: Bat Conservation Ireland
Main Place of Work: From home and on-site as required
Hours: Part-time (32 hours per week /4 days), based from home, 6 months’ probation contract renewable on a yearly basis or subject to funding.
Reporting to: BCIreland Chairpersons and Council
Immediate Line Manager: Monitoring coordinator
Duration: April 2023 to April 2024 subject to funding
Salary: €36,500 - €40,000 (Dependent on experience)
Bat Conservation Ireland is seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated person to join its team in the role of ecologist. Bat survey and practical experience working with bats is essential. The role will include providing support for Bat Conservation Ireland’s existing and new monitoring programmes, volunteer recruitment and training, taking calls from public, preparation of our biannual newsletter “The Natterer”. The successful candidate will have excellent management and communication skills, have the ability to think innovatively and work under pressure to meet deadlines. This will be a part-time position of 32 hours per week and will have the advantage of being based from home. On-site, hands-on is also a core requirement of the role. The successful candidate will be required to have a strong scientific background and be able to engage a wide range of people including partner organisations, volunteers and the general public. A track record of working as part of a team is also essential.
Background
The Irish Bat Monitoring Programme began in 2003 with the establishment of the car-based Bat Monitoring Scheme, followed in 2006 by the All-Ireland Daubenton’s Bat Waterways Survey and in 2007 by the Brown Long-eared Bat Roost Monitoring Scheme. These surveys are largely volunteer-led and track trends in five protected bat species. An additional scheme, Lesser Horseshoe Bat Roost Monitoring, is also managed by Bat Conservation Ireland and surveying for this bat species is mainly carried out by staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). The four monitoring schemes are funded by the NPWS on a three to five year contractual basis and in Northern Ireland grant funding for the Daubenton’s bat waterway’s survey and car-based survey is provided by the Environment Fund.
We are currently commencing the second year of a five-year term of monitoring programmes. Bat Conservation Ireland also regularly run training courses and workshops on a fee-paying basis as the need arises and time allows. As well as its main website, Bat Conservation Ireland has also developed
www.learnaboutbats.com which aims to educate primary school children and their teachers about Irish bats.
Description of the Role
The candidate will apply their experience to provide support to our existing monitoring programmes, including participating in fieldwork, recruitment, training and management of an island-wide network of volunteers to carry out the Irish Bat Monitoring Programme. In addition, they will coordinate survey returns and ensure prompt and accurate data entry for the programme, ensure scientific integrity and liaise with other stakeholders such as Bat Conservation Trust, funders and other relevant stakeholders. The candidate will work in close cooperation with other managers of Irish Bat Monitoring Programme schemes to achieve the objectives of the monitoring programme.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide support for all existing monitoring programmes and assist in the development of any new monitoring and training programmes.
The primary responsibilities in relation to the Irish Bat Monitoring Programme are as follows:
Recruit, support and train new volunteers and coordinate the volunteer network for the Irish Bat Monitoring Programme;
Undertake relevant bat surveys in your region for the Irish Bat Monitoring Programme;
Manage the databases for the Irish Bat Monitoring Programme and ensure high quality validated data is entered into the database and synchronised with the National Bat Database;
Liaise with statistician to produce comprehensive data for reporting as required;
Complete reporting required for Irish Bat Monitoring Programme;
Report to both the Council of BCIreland and external funders, sharing yearly relevant survey data with other stakeholders such as BCT and CEDaR;
Co-write scientific publications when the opportunity/need arises;
Present data at conferences, seminars or other events as appropriate.
Additional responsibilities outside the Irish Bat Monitoring Programme are as follows:
- Assist in collation and research of articles for two newsletters/year;
- Coordinate the BCIreland Small Grants Scheme;
- Manage and deal effectively with bat-related queries from the general public;
- Undertake bat walks and talks particularly during Biodiversity Week and Heritage Week;
- Provide support for day-to-day BCIreland activities and additional projects, as necessary
PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS
Qualifications & Experience
- Primary degree in Science-based course; level 8
- At least three years’ experience carrying out bat surveys
- 3+ years of working experience in a relevant field
- Record of producing and organising training courses
- A track record of working with and managing volunteers
- Proven understanding of Irish bat species and their ecology, as well as factors affecting their conservation status
Communication Skills
- Proven ability to communicate and negotiate effectively and efficiently with a wide range of audiences including funders, potential sponsors, local voluntary organisations, the public and the media.
- Possess good presentation and report writing skills.
- Previous experience in producing public media desirable
- Track record in scientific publication is desirable
Teamwork
- Ability to develop, lead and support a volunteer network and create safe inspiring working conditions.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and work with and report to BCIreland Chairpersons and Council.
- Be understanding and responsive to the needs and wishes of individuals and community organisations.
Initiative and planning
- Can plan, manage time effectively and work flexible hours.
- Ability to prioritise, make decisions in complex areas with a restricted budget.
- Experience of leading staff and teams and setting priorities and work plans.
- Self-disciplined, motivated, organised, able to meet deadlines, work under pressure – show real initiative.
IT Skills
Very confident with a range of IT systems, software and equipment.
Personal skills
- Can think innovatively and identify inventive and creative solutions to a range of problems
- Understand and utilise effective opportunities presented by new concepts and technologies.
- Be patient, accurate and methodical when carrying out surveys
- Inspire, encourage and enthuse audiences across the project.
Other
Full, clean driving licence.
Desirable
Experience of carrying out BCIreland volunteer surveys
