Overview

The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC) seeks an ecologist to help deliver an exciting new project, “Recovering the pool frog, England’s rarest amphibian”. Thanks to a substantial award from Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund, ARC is initiating this project to enhance the conservation status of the pool frog (Pelophylax lessonae) in England. The pool frog is currently found at only two sites in Norfolk, having been reintroduced from Sweden after going extinct in the 1990s. This new project will include habitat restoration, captive rearing, monitoring, volunteer engagement, communications, and planning future pool frog reintroductions. It will involve working with a wide range of partners, including regulators, landowners, volunteers and researchers.

Salary: £19,000 pro rata, plus pension
Hours: Part-time, 0.6 FTE (3 days per week)
Contract: Fixed term contract for 6 months starting 1 March 2021 or as soon as possible after this date
Location: Home-based, within easy reach of the Thetford (Norfolk) area
Reporting to: Pool Frog Recovery Project Manager, ARC (currently being recruited)

The Pool Frog Recovery Project Assistant post requires some understanding of nature conservation. It would especially suit (but is not restricted to) someone looking to start a career in nature conservation. Experience with amphibians, especially some captive management experience, is desirable but not essential; training will be provided. This post focuses on the captive rearing element of the project. The post-holder will be required to work with the Project Officer to maintain captive pool frogs for reintroduction, kept under strictly monitored conditions. A high attention to detail and welfare is necessary. The post will also involve a small amount of field survey of pool frogs in the wild. The post will involve working on some evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

The post will be home-based, and the post-holder will be expected to either live in or be able to travel regularly to the Thetford (Norfolk) area for meetings, captive management and fieldwork, so own transport is necessary. Most days will be spent attending captive management facilities near Thetford, and some administration will be done from home. Home working expenses will be paid, and IT equipment will be provided as necessary.

The main duties are as follows:

  • Delivering elements of the “Recovering the pool frog, England’s rarest amphibian” project, focusing on captive management of pool frogs.
  • Reporting on progress internally to ARC.
  • Working closely with the Pool Frog Recovery Project Manager and Pool Frog Recovery Project Officer.

Note: because this post involves captive management and field surveys for legally protected amphibians for which there are particular concerns over pathogen risks, the post would not suit someone who currently keeps non-native amphibians at home, unless they are willing to comply with strict biosecurity protocols.

How to apply: For further information please download the Job Description and Person Specification below.

Please email a covering letter explaining your interest in the role and how you meet the person specification, plus a completed application form to Angela Reynolds at angela.reynolds@arc-trust.org

Closing date: 12.00 midday on Thursday 21 January 2021.

Interviews date: held online in the week commencing 1 February 2021.

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Jim Foster (jim.foster@arc-trust.org).

Useful documents:

Job Description and Person Specification (PDF)

Application Form (Word Document)

Equal Opportunities Policy (PDF)