QA Analyst – Ornithology | Manchester, Chester

About APEM

APEM is Europe’s largest specialist aquatic environmental consultancy. We offer our clients an integrated approach to the investigation and management of freshwater catchments and terrestrial and marine habitats and operate UK wide and internationally. Our consultants are recognised experts in their fields, and as a company we pride ourselves on our commitment to scientific rigour and an excellent service in providing solutions to our clients.

2019 was a big year for APEM. We were awarded water industry consultant of the year and we completed a management buyout. In 2020 and beyond we will continue our ambitions for growth and innovation.

APEM is a highly reputable company, renowned for our quality and long list of trusted clients, who once secured, provide repeat business year after year, trusting us to deliver a high-quality service at a fair price.

We are proud to be an inclusive company, with People as one of the key pillars that our strategy is built upon. We stand for equality for all. As such we welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief.

About the role

This is an excellent opportunity for the right motivated individual to join our expanding, busy and experienced Marine Wildlife and Ornithology team.

APEM is seeking to recruit enthusiastic individuals with a proven track record in bird identification, in particular seabirds and other marine wildlife from around the world. You will have specialist knowledge and an understanding of avian ecology including aspects of behaviour, breeding, migration and species distributions.

APEM’s Marine Wildlife and Ornithology team is currently undertaking projects worldwide, collecting high-resolution aerial digital data for environmental projects. The purpose of the role is two-fold, first to analyse high resolution images, to accurately record the presence and identify species using specialist in-house software. Second, to support senior team members in assisting with quality assurance of data analysed by other Image Analysts. Accurate data handling and manipulation is essential and carrying out training for junior staff members may be required.

About you

Successful applicants should preferably have a degree in biology / environmental science / remote sensing and be able to demonstrate proven relevant experience in bird identification and/or marine mammal related work. You should have a genuine passion for ornithology. You will be self-motivated, enthusiastic and able to work to tight deadlines and be an active team player. Understanding of MS Office packages such as Excel is essential, and some experience of GIS software packages is desirable.  Previous experience undertaking ornithology fieldwork surveys would also be desirable. You must be able to record data carefully and systematically and write clearly. Flexibility and reliability are key in this role and high attention to detail is required.

Required skills:

• Excellent bird and marine wildlife identification
• Sound understanding of seabird ecology
• Attention to detail
• Data handling and sorting
• Ability to record data carefully and systematically
• Proficient in Excel
• Experience of using GIS packages
• Self-motivated
• Problem solving capabilities