Fisheries Officer / Bailiff Beauly District Fishery Board

We have an exciting opportunity for a new Fisheries Officer / Bailiff with the Beauly District Fishery Board, Beauly, Inverness-shire.

The Beauly District Salmon Fishery Board is a statutory body responsible for the protection and enhancement of salmon and sea trout stocks in the Beauly catchment, including the River Glass, River Farrar and River Beauly.

Description of Role

The Fisheries Officer is responsible for assisting in the protection, monitoring and management of wild salmon and sea trout populations and their habitats in the rivers, lochs and coastal areas of the Beauly district. This involves both office-based and outdoor work, often in or around water, in all weather conditions.  The Fisheries Officer will work under the guidance of the Senior Biologist.

The work can be physically demanding and may be carried out in hostile situations, particularly when investigating or preventing illegal fishing activities. The Fisheries Officer will be an excellent communicator, liaising with a range of external bodies (e.g. Police, SSE, angling clubs, councils, academic institutions, fishery trusts, ghillies and fishery owners). They will demonstrate resilience, self-motivation and genuine enthusiasm for the role.

Responsibilities & duties

The general duties of a Fisheries Officer are:

1. Lead in the protection of salmon and sea trout stocks through the enforcement of current salmon fisheries legislation;
2. Assist the District Fishery Board and others to gain a detailed and up to date understanding of the status of salmon and sea trout populations within the district;
3. Assist in the delivery of targeted fisheries management activities to maximise the natural production of salmon and sea trout in the Beauly district; and

Skills and Background

The post holder is required to have a minimum of two years’ experience of working in a similar field, demonstrate practical field skills and ideally have a qualification in a fisheries or environmental related subject. The post holder will be a good communicator, able to work alone, often in remote locations, show evidence of self-motivation and have a positive proactive attitude.

The following qualities are essential:

• Demonstrable practical enforcement skills; • Successful completion of the Institute of Fisheries Management (Scotland) Water Bailiff Course; • An understanding of the riverine environment, countryside management and catchment pressures; • Experience in conducting robust field surveys; • A full UK driving licence, ideally with trailer towing endorsement; and • An ability and willingness to work with members of the public, volunteers and liaise with stakeholders.

The following qualities are desirable:

• Demonstrable accreditation and experience in habitat and electrofishing surveys; • Chainsaw certificate with relevant experience; • P6 AW spraying certificate; and • A current shotgun and firearms certificate;

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Applications by curriculum vitae and covering letter should be submitted to Clerk to the Board at [email protected], or by post to: – Clerk to Beauly District Fishery Board, Bidwells, Elm House, Cradlehall, Business Park, Inverness IV2 5GH.   Applications should be clearly marked ‘Fisheries Officer, Beauly DSFB’.

Closing date is 6 November 2020 and the successful candidate will be expected to start work at a mutually convenient date.

Please contact Alastair Campbell on 01463 796050 for further information.