Senior Scientist

Salary Scale:£29,577 – £35,745 from 1 April 2021 (Pay Award Pending)
Local Government Scale 25-32; starting point according to experience rising by one point per year subject to annual assessments
Pension:Local government scheme (www.lppapensions.co.uk)
Hours of Work:37 hour per week with ‘flexitime’. The posts involves working unsocial hours, including early mornings, late evenings and weekends as required by tides and survey duties
Medical:Appointment to the post is dependent on passing an ML5 Medical
BPSS Check:Appointment dependent on satisfactory BPSS Check

Job Description

Job Title:Senior Scientist
Job PurposeTo assist with the management of fisheries within the North Western IFCA district and promote the sustainable use of marine resources. The role will require managing a small team of three Inshore and Fisheries and Conservation Advisor across a wide variety of tasks. The Senior Scientist post will contribute to the overall work of NWIFCA including the success criteria set out in NWIFCA Annual Plan.
Main TasksMonitoring, Survey Work and Research
  • Assessing the impact of fisheries activities on Marine Protected Areas
  • Intertidal and sea survey, data collection, analysis and advice to the Authority
  • Shellfish & sea fish stock assessments and development of management advice
  • Using GIS to create data tables, graphs and maps/charts to inform advice
  • Develop survey capacity of NWIFCA patrol vessel, based in Whitehaven
  • Using ATV and vessels in all weathers & at all hours usually dependant on tides

Reporting

  • Preparation and presentation of reports to advise the Authority on management
  • Advice to the Authority on fish stocks and opening fisheries
  • Contribute to Byelaw development
  • Participate and report on national IFCA science groups

Policy Advice, Consultations and Liaison

  • Providing advice on fisheries and conservation policy and management
  • Consultation with the fishing industry, fisheries and conservation stakeholder
  • Liaison and joint working with partner agencies such as MMO, Natural England
  • Representing the Authority at meetings of external bodies
  • Co-ordinating NWIFCA response to consultations on marine developments
  • Providing a response to enquiries from the fishing industry and the public
  • Keeping up to date with policy and new developments in fisheries management
Training

(provided in post where necessary)

  • Sea Survival, First Aid, RYA SRC (VHF) Certification
  • ATV Course, Towing Course, Manual Handling
  • Powerboat Level 2
  • ML5 Medical required

NWIFCA Senior Scientist Requirements of the Post

RequirementsEssentialDesirable
Education/Qualifications
  • Excellent general education
  • Good degree(Marine, Fisheries or Env)
  • MSc (Fisheries or Marine Environment)
Experience
  • Experience of fisheries and/or marine environmental management
  • Report writing & verbal presentation
  • Management experience
  • Fisheries/conservation research work
  • Fish/Shellfish surveys and management
  • Project management of a team in fisheries or marine environmental field
  • Experience of the fishing community
  • Experience of underwater survey
  • Experience of IFCAs, NGOs & government bodies
Knowledge
  • Knowledge of UK fisheries and marine environment and legislation
  • Marine planning issues
  • Good overview of fisheries research
  • Knowledge of NWIFCA byelaws
  • Familiarity with NWIFCA district and fisheries and conservation issues
  • New challenges post Brexit
Technical Skills
  • Excellent IT skills in Word, Excel etc
  • Competent in GIS mapping
  • Fish/shellfish identification
  • Good communication skills
  • Appointment requires ML5 Medical
  • Full UK driving licence is required
  • Advanced GIS especially MapInfo
  • Database use and development
  • Handling ATVs and towing trailers
  • Boat skills and qualifications
Personal
  • Enthusiasm for marine environment
  • Able to motivate and manage a team
  • Enjoy outdoor work in all weathers
  • Also enjoy desk based analysis
  • Flexible to work unsocial hours
  • Confident in dealing with stakeholders
  • Creative to develop new approaches
  • Flexible to handle changing work
  • Tactful in confrontational situations
  • Adaptable to prioritise varied workload

How to Apply

Send your application by 23:59hrs on the closing date of 11 July 2021 to:

  • [email protected] (email applications will be acknowledged) OR
  • NWIFCA, 1 Preston Street, Carnforth LA5 9BY

Your application should include:

Curriculum Vitae

Including the following:

  • Name and current address, phone number and email
  • Full employment history, accounting for any gaps
  • All qualifications completed with results
  • Full educational history from starting secondary school, with results and grades
  • Details of any IT skills, qualifications and experience
  • Details of any relevant marine or fisheries experience
  • Details of managerial experience in a scientific or fisheries setting
  • Details of survey and outdoor fieldwork experience
  • Details of planning projects and programmes in marine science or fisheries
  • Details of any relevant courses completed e.g. boat handling or marine safety
  • Details of driving licence (full, clean and which driving categories)
  • Details of driving experience including towing trailers
  • Interests and hobbies
  • Details of any cautions or convictions you have received
  • Names and addresses (with phone and email if possible) of 2 referees“
  • Referees should include all employers over the past 3 years
  • If you do not have 2 recent employers, referees should be from higher education
  • Personal referees are not accepted

Hand Written Letter

A hand written letter of up to 100 words including the following information:

  • why you are interested in the post
  • where you saw the post advertised
  • the letter may be scanned and attached to an email