Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST)
Based on the Isle of Arran, COAST is a multi‐award‐winning marine conservation charity working to restore the health and diversity of Arran’s inshore waters. Embedded in and driven by our island community, we have 30 years of experience in advocating for marine protection and restoration, we have successfully established the Lamlash Bay No Take Zone (NTZ) (Scotland’s first and only NTZ), led a community proposal for the South Arran Marine Protected Area (MPA) and successfully campaigned for improvements to protection measures within the MPA. COAST also runs a popular Discovery Centre, and operates their own Research Vessel, RV COAST Explorer.
COAST is a small organization with an enthusiastic staff and volunteer team committed to the full realization of the environmental, social and economic potential of our MPA and the progressive development of Clyde marine management. We are about to start on an exciting new area of work, which will seek to investigate what marine habitats exist in the sea around Arran – north of the existing marine protected area. We will explore these waters alongside the community and provide opportunities for discussion whilst seeking people’s views on their local marine area.
THE JOB
We are seeking a dedicated Community Science Officer to lead the community focused exploratory survey and research and to lead on coordinating the community engagement elements of the project. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Community Science Officer will be responsible for designing and conducting marine habitat surveys, managing and analysing survey data, developing citizen science skills among the community, and working with stakeholders to support evidence‐based discussions.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Specific duties include the following. Other tasks may be assigned in line with COAST’s objectives and priorities.
Marine Habitat Surveys
- Coordinate and lead citizen science intertidal and subtidal habitat surveys around Arran.
- Collect, collate, manage and analyze marine research data from citizen science and other relevant surveys.
- Ensure effective storage and archiving of data and data input to appropriate national marine databases.
Data Management, Analysis and Reporting
- Analyze ecological and other survey data.
- Support development of a research data management system.
- Production of reports, briefings and other written material consolidating historical data, survey results, and local knowledge to support the implementation and development of the project.
Community and Wider Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration
- Assist with running workshops to gather community and stakeholder views and perspectives and local knowledge of the marine area.
- Support the delivery of citizen science training programs and engage with local volunteers.
- Present scientific findings to local communities, policymakers, and stakeholders.
- Work closely with project partners and provide technical input for policy roundtables and stakeholder discussions.
Project Support
- Contribute to the overall management and delivery of the project.
- Ensure all scientific activities align with project goals and funder requirements.
- Developing content (written, visual and audio‐visual) and uploading to our website and social media channels.
- General administrative tasks supporting the project.
- Provide additional support to all of COAST’s operations and activities as required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Skills and Experience
- A degree or post‐graduate level qualification in a Marine Science or relevant discipline AND a minimum of two years’ work experience relevant to the role OR practical experience and knowledge of shore and boat‐based marine survey methods in temperate marine environmental situations.
- A passion for marine conservation and community‐driven initiatives.
- Proven experience in conducting marine surveys and habitat mapping, and marine data capture and management.
- Knowledge of UK/Scottish/Irish marine habitats and species.
- Experience in community engagement and working with volunteers and/or local communities.
- Excellent communication skills (written and spoken), with the ability to present complex scientific information to non‐specialist audiences. Confident public speaker.
- Strong organisational and project management skills. Ability to manage varied workloads and good attention to detail.
- Ability to work collaboratively with others as part of a small team as well as progress work individually.
- Comfortable working on a boat and working outside in varied weather conditions.
- Excellent IT skills, including skills and experience with Microsoft Office software.
- UK Driver’s license and access to a car.
- Fluent in English (spoken and written).
Desirable Skills and Experience
- Experience running citizen science projects and working with volunteers to deliver these.
- Knowledge of the Isle of Arran, its people and environment.
- An appreciation of the political, regulatory and stakeholder issues relevant to Scotland’s inshore marine environment and Scotland’s marine protected area network.
- Mediation and Conflict resolution skills and experience.
- An awareness of current UK marine citizen science projects and experience with Seasearch survey methods and recording.
- Experience with use of ROVs and drop‐down camera systems.
- Snorkelling or scuba diving qualifications. Whilst the position does not include any diving, experience with temperate scuba diving activities and an appreciation of its role in understanding the subtidal marine environment would be useful.
- Strong data analysis and reporting skills, with proficiency in GIS, statistical and database software.
- Current First Aid Certificate.
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Location: Lamlash, Isle of Arran
Application deadline: April 16, 2025
