Type of position: Full-time position with 1-year initial contract

(This position could be split into two separate part-time positions)

Salary: £26,000 pro rata

Office location: Auldgirth, Dumfries

Responsible to: Fishery Director

The Nith Catchment Fishery Trust (NCFT) is a charitable organisation whose aims are to conserve and enhance all native freshwater fish and their habitats located within the inland and coastal waters of the River Nith catchment and the jurisdictional area of the Nith District Salmon Fishery Board. The Trust is involved in a wide range of work including fishery management, research, education, habitat enhancement and biosecurity of the catchment. We run a highly successful education project called “Fishing for the Future” that delivers outdoor education sessions to schools and groups throughout Nithsdale. As part of this project, we also deliver angling sessions to schools, angling taster days to beginners and run a Young Anglers Club throughout the year.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for someone to join our team. The ideal candidate will be passionate about teaching young people about the aquatic environment, how to fish and encouraging angling on the River Nith.

Ideally, we would like to recruit one candidate for the fulltime position of Education and Angling Development Officer. However, we would consider splitting the position into two part-time jobs, one to deliver the education component and the other to deliver the angling and development aspect. In this case, the salary and hours offered would be depended on experience and qualifications of the applicants.

Responsibilities:

Coordination and delivery of the existing education component of the Fishing for the Future project:

• Co-ordinate and deliver education sessions to primary and secondary schools throughout Nithsdale.
• Work closely with other members of staff to deliver the outdoor education sessions.
• Develop education sessions specifically aimed at secondary students, advanced higher students and others wishing to further their education. This may include SQA Awards and working with SQA and local schools/colleges to deliver NPA’s.

Co-ordination and delivery of the angling component of the Fishing for the Future project:

• Co-ordinate and deliver introductory angling sessions to schools.
• Co-ordinate and deliver angling taster days to beginners.
• Co-ordinate and deliver angling trips as part of the Nith Young Angers Club – includes salmon fishing, pike fishing, grayling fishing, sea fishing and coarse fishing.
• Work closely with other members of staff and volunteers to deliver the outdoor education sessions.
• Ensure equipment prepared for the sessions and all equipment is serviceable.

Angling Development

• Promote the River Nith and its beats via social media, website and local articles.
• Co-ordinate and run salmon and sea trout events to encourage anglers to fish the Nith.

General Duties

• Co-ordinate closely with Fishery Director and Biologist to facilitate the programme.
• Conduct and prepare written risk assessments prior to all sessions.
• Maintain a clean, safe and tidy work environment, including vehicles.
• Keep good accurate records associated with the position.
• Accurately and timeously complete reports, administration and paperwork associated with the job.
• Produce regular reports to colleagues, Trustees and funders.

The candidate should:

• have a degree in an environmental/education discipline and experience of working in an environmental/education organisation.
• have a good understanding of aquatic conservation.
• be a skilled angler with multi-disciplines.
• hold a qualification in angling instruction/coaching or be willing to complete training.
• have experience using social media and websites.
• have excellent IT skills, specifically of Microsoft office packages, WordPress and databases.
• have good communication skills and be able to give presentations.
• hold a full, clean UK driving license and have their own transport.
• be able to work from home when required.
• be self-motivated and able to work as part of a team or own their own.
• Experience working with or within the education sector would be desirable.

The hours are based on 40 hours per week and may involve flexible working hours including evenings and weekends.

Closing date for applications is Monday 25th October 2021

Interviews to be held week commencing 1st November 2021

To apply please send a CV and covering letter addressed to Debbie Parke at trust@river-nith.com or Nith Catchment Fishery Trust, 37 George Street, Dumfries, DG1 1EB. Please state which position you are applying for.