Conservation Breeding Officer

We are now looking for a proactive and passionate Conservation Breeding Officer (CBO) to join the Conservation Breeding Unit (CBU) team based in WWT’s Wetland Conservation Directorate at Slimbridge.

WWT, with partners, has established the World’s first conservation breeding population of black-tailed godwit (BTG) at WWT Slimbridge with the aim to raise young birds for release at existing or new wetland sites in England to support the main aim of the new BTG UK Action Plan: to establish at least 80 breeding pairs in England by 2033. This conservation breeding element is part of a wider project we’re calling Godwit Futures.

The successful candidate will be based at WWT Slimbridge and will be hands-on with the care of birds and creation and maintenance of birds’ living spaces. As part of a rota with team members, the successful candidate will deliver care and monitoring protocols of birds ensuring high standards of bio-security, animal welfare, animal husbandry and record-keeping. We will require you to assist with erection of predator-proof fences, breeding and wintering aviaries and maintenance of plumbing and water filtration systems, sometimes working with external contractors. You will assist with the management of vegetation in and around the Godwit Futures' bird living spaces, CBU’s bio-secure premises and the maintenance CBU's Balai Approved facilities.

This is a part time permanent position working 3 days a week (Saturday, Sunday and Monday).

The successful candidate will have a positive, ‘can do’ attitude, excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently, using their initiative as a member of an ambitious, selfless team.

• A degree level qualification in a biological subject or equivalent relevant experience
• a current driving licence and passport
• experience in waterbird aviculture and experience in the successful incubation of birds’ eggs and the hand raising of hatchlings.
• experience of working in an environment with stringent hygiene and cleanliness requirements, and following strict biosecurity protocols.
• comprehensive experience in buildings and grounds maintenance, including vegetation management using horticultural machinery with certificates in tractor driving and safe use of horticultural equipment e.g. brushcutters being desirable
• good computer skills including competency with Microsoft Office programs, in particular MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
  
• Experience of working in a team of colleagues and volunteers with some experience of supervising team being desirable