Post: TCV Natural Talent Traineeship - Invertebrates and lower plants of mires and heaths.

Bursary: £13,500

Location: Field Studies Council, Shropshire

Mentors: Samantha Rudd (FSC Education Development)

Duration: 12 months

Start date: 3rd April 2017

Closing date for Applications: 9th March 2017

Thank you for your interest in the Natural Talent UK traineeship scheme. This scheme is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

How to apply

Full details on how to apply and application forms can be found at http://www.tcv.org.uk/jobs/

Please read through this traineeship description thoroughly, completing an application form (available on request or on-line and to download) showing how you meet the criteria outlined in the Skills & Experience section and any other information you feel is relevant.

Project background

Natural Talent UK aims to increase expertise across the whole of the UK to protect our less well known species and create awareness of the habitats that supports them. The programme responds to identified skills shortages in the conservation sector by providing trainees with the opportunity to develop an expertise in a specific taxonomic group, habitat or a mixture of both. Natural Talent UK will also increase the capacity of volunteers and communities to play an active role in surveying, mapping and taking an action to increase the biodiversity value of their local places.

The traineeship will focus upon organising and delivering training, supporting resource development (including digital) and growing personal expertise in order to:

·  increase knowledge and understanding of fieldwork skills and habitat management with volunteers, local communities and student groups

·  increase species identification and surveying technique skills specifically relating to mire/heath habitats

·  increase volume and quality of biological recording specifically especially relating to mire/heath habitats

To support the trainee, the Field Studies Council will provide access to:

·  Nationally certificated training courses such as Outdoor First Aid, Level 3 award in Education and Training, ensuring the trainee has qualifications to progress towards employment in the conservation sector.

·  FSC Natural History and Professional Development courses for adults – as a participant and as a support to the course deliverer, ensuring a sound basis to increase their knowledge in Mire habitats and species as well as extending and developing their knowledge of other less charismatic and overlooked species and habitats.

·  FSC Biodiversity projects which is currently running Tomorrows Biodiversity project which focuses on uncharismatic species and delivers training and development of digital recording systems. This will enable the trainee to work with researchers and professionals, building on the knowledge they have already gained in engaging with community groups.

·  Involvement in FSCs network of 20 Centres across the UK, running residential field courses for over 17,000 of A level students and supporting teachers. Peatlands, carbon and climate change appear significantly in the A level specification (geog and biology) and over 50% of all A level Geographers visit an FSC centre. The improved resources and enhance staff knowledge of mire and heathland invertebrates and lower plants will increase the students understanding and knowledge of the focus habitats, so building in the next generation of scientists.

·  FSC supports individual young people who wish to gain experience and skills in natural history through FSC Young Darwin Scheme and Summer Camps. These unique opportunities build the capacity of the heritage sector for the future, through engagement with a larger number of younger individuals at a significantly influential time of their careers.

·  FSC Citizen Science projects, such as Cuckoo Survey and OPAL as well as FSC members and staff initiatives such as FSC Spring Index and iRecord projects, ensuring that the trainees are building their knowledge and skills in engaging communities in learning about the focus habitats and species.

·  Working with FSC Publications, to support resource development such as developing and sharing identification keys, ensuring that communities have increased access to identification guides availability and therefore building the accuracy and volume of biological records.

·  FSC Social Media support via FSC Marketing and Biodiversity teams, to ensure communication of their work, training workshops, Citizen Science projects and cohesion of community groups.

·  Access to FSC partners and their training and conferences, eg BSBI, NFBR and various NHSS including local groups such as Shropshire Spider Group and local records Centres such as Shropshire Environmental Data Network.

Person specification

ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE
Qualifications:
No formal qualifications necessary although candidates will have to demonstrate knowledge of some aspect of the natural environment and their enthusiasm for the traineeship / A passion and enthusiasm for entomology and protecting and conserving our natural environment
Experience:
An understanding of UK habitats and conservation issues.
An interest in invertebrate ecology and general understanding of insect taxonomy. / General field surveying techniques for insects.
A deeper understanding of one or more taxonomic groups.
Skills :
Applicants must have a good working knowledge of basic IT software packages (e.g. MS Office).
Applicants must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, being able to work as part of a small team.
Applicants must have strong writing and analytical skills. / Be comfortable with the use of identification keys, using microscopes and identifying specimens to species level
Have experience of creating and running Access databases would be very beneficial
·  Experience of working outdoors (e.g. on a nature conservation project)
Personal Qualities:
Applicants will have to demonstrate that they have the dedication and commitment to work on their own initiative to complete the traineeship to a high standard.
Be willing to undertake various tasks including microscopy, data processing and fieldwork.
Being flexible about early starts and being away undertaking fieldwork from time to time.
Other:
Although some natural history knowledge is preferable, motivation, enthusiasm, excellent communication skills and drive are the most important qualities in a potential applicant. / Some experience of engaging others with nature and experience of participating in Citizen science activities
A full, clean driving license