Project Officer Internship

A paid internship is available from April 2025 for 6 months to work with Galloway Fisheries Trust on the Solway Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) Control and Knowledge programme Phase 2.

INNS are a significant threat to native biodiversity, ecosystems and local economies by outcompeting and shading native species, increasing the risk of erosion to riverbanks as they die back in the winter thus increasing the risk of flooding.  INNS such as Giant hogweed can also have direct negative impacts to our health due to phototoxic sap causing skin burns.

Galloway Fisheries Trust is a conservation charity working on fish populations, their habitats and water quality across the freshwaters of Galloway.  The successful applicant will be involved in delivering INNS control, work with schools and communities to increase knowledge of INNS.

Key items of work that the intern will assist with delivering include:

Assist the Project Officer in strategically controlling priority plant INNS through on-site surveys, control. This will involve travelling to site, walking or wadding along watercourses and applying herbicide by spot treatment to priority INNS.

Create and deliver an education project to increase awareness and knowledge of INNS in schools, both primary and secondary.

Help create links within local communities and recruiting volunteers.

Assessing INNS on the Annan catchment through surveys and community engagement.  Map results and design a control plan.

Foster and develop a close working relationship with key stakeholders and interested parties in your key responsibility areas.

Assist in the overall dissemination of GFT work to a wider audience particularly using social media.

The candidate must be fit, motivated, hardworking and willing to work outdoors during all weather conditions.  There may be a requirement to undertake some lone working from time to time.  A full valid driving licence is desirable.  The position will be based at Newton Stewart in Dumfries and Galloway. It is a funding condition to prioritise candidates residing in Dumfries and Galloway however applications from out the region are welcomed.

This full time, fixed term intern post is a wonderful opportunity for a recent graduate with a conservation degree or someone looking to enrol in such studies to gain a range of valuable work experience.  It is a funding condition that the intern must be a young person aged up to and including 25 years old.

Salary will be £441 a week.  Closing date for applications is noon on 3rd March 2025.

To apply please send a CV and covering letter addressed to Tracy Starks.