Pool Frog Recovery Project Officer

Details

The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC) seeks an ecologist to help deliver an exciting new project, “Recovering the pool frog, England’s rarest amphibian”.

Role title: Pool Frog Recovery Project Officer

Organisation: Amphibian and reptile conservation

Closing Date: 21/01/2021

Role Location: Home-based, within easy reach of the Thetford (Norfolk) area

Role Description

Pool Frog Recovery Project Officer

Salary: £22,000 plus pension

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week,

Contract: Fixed term contract for 9 months starting 1 March 2021 or as soon as possible after this date

Location: Home-based, within easy reach of the Thetford (Norfolk) area

Reporting to: Pool Frog Recovery Project Manager, ARC (currently being recruited)

The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC) seeks an ecologist to help deliver an exciting new project, “Recovering the pool frog, England’s rarest amphibian”. Thanks to a substantial award from Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund, ARC is initiating this project to enhance the conservation status of the pool frog (Pelophylax lessonae) in England. The pool frog is currently found at only two sites in Norfolk, having been reintroduced from Sweden after going extinct in the 1990s. This new project will include habitat restoration, captive rearing, monitoring, volunteer engagement, communications, and planning future pool frog reintroductions. It will involve working with a wide range of partners, including regulators, landowners, volunteers and researchers.

The Pool Frog Recovery Project Officer post requires some experience with nature conservation, and would especially suit (but is not restricted to) a recent graduate. Experience with amphibians, especially some captive management experience, is desirable but not essential; training will be provided. An understanding of broader UK nature conservation issues is essential.

The post will in particular involve capture and captive rearing of pool frogs under strictly controlled conditions. This task will be shared with the part-time Project Assistant post.

The post will be home-based, and the post-holder will be expected to either live in or be able to travel regularly to the Thetford (Norfolk) area for meetings, captive management and fieldwork, so own transport is necessary. Some travel will be required within the Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincolnshire area. Travel expenses and home working expenses will be paid, and IT equipment will be provided.

The main duties are as follows:

• Delivering elements of the “Recovering the pool frog, England’s rarest amphibian” project, focusing on captive management of pool frogs, field surveys for pool frogs, volunteer engagement, and assisting with wider communications.
• Reporting on progress internally to ARC.
• Assisting with project evaluation.
• Working closely with the Pool Frog Recovery Project Manager and Pool Frog Recovery Project Assistant.

Note: because this post involves captive management and field surveys for legally protected amphibians for which there are particular concerns over pathogen risks, the post would not suit someone who currently keeps non-native amphibians at home, unless they are willing to comply with strict biosecurity protocols.

How to apply: For further information please download the Job Description and Person Specification see our website.

Please email a covering letter explaining your interest in the role and how you meet the person specification, plus a completed application form to Angela Reynolds at angela.reynolds@arc-trust.org

Closing date: 12.00 midday on Thursday 21 January 2021.

Interviews date: held online in the week commencing 1 February 2021.

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Jim Foster (jim.foster@arc-trust.org).

Link to Website: https://www.arc-trust.org/vacancies