JOB TITLE: Arran Marine Project Officer

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Background to Lamlash Bay, No Take Zone (NTZ) and suggested Marine Protected
Area (MPA) See: www.arrancoast.com
The vision of COAST is that the existing NTZ with a new MPA, to cover Lamlash Bay
and parts of the Arran inshore coast will be established in the next 2-3 years; the
conservation and sustainability of the marine environment in the Bay and inshore water
around the south of Arran is central to our strategic plan. Arran is one of the largest and
most accessible islands on the west of Scotland. The community campaigned long and
hard to protect the bay so it would return to a healthy marine environment. The 67 mile
coastline of Arran is an important recreational tourism asset. Arran attracts people from
the UK and abroad, and there is certainly potential to increase visits to the island through
conservation of the marine environment. Sea angling, a shadow of its former popularity
in the 1980s, could return along with regenerated biodiversity.
JOB TITLE: Arran Marine Project Officer
Job Purpose: To manage Arran Community Marine Project on Arran, particularly in
Lamlash Bay in line with COAST objectives; develop policies and standards for
conservation, access and enjoyment. Particular responsibilities will be to provide
interpretation, educational involvement of the public, monitor recreational and
commercial use of surrounding waters and to liaise closely with community interests and
monitor marine compliance within protected areas. Further to conduct research into
intertidal species in Lamlash Bay, to look at invasive species above and at high water
mark around the Arran coast.
Line manager relationships: The Trustees of COAST, through chair and vice chair
with support from nominated Trustees and Committee members.
External Relationships: The post holder will maintain the profile and reputation of
COAST, the NTZ and the Arran marine environment; liaise with other partners: Scottish
Natural Heritage and National Trust for Scotland in the local community on Arran,
Lamlash Improvements Committee, Arran Community Council, NGOs, North Ayrshire
Council, schools. Outwith Arran, working relationships with Marine Scotland, The Clyde
Forum, various Clyde marine stakeholder organisations, Marine Conservation Society
and other organisations from time to time; represent COAST at local community events
and in the wider Firth of Clyde area.
Context, Nature and Scope of Job:
The post holder will be required to split their time between administration and ecommunications; education and outreach; research; and communication with statutory
bodies.
Lamlash Bay, the existing NTZ with the addition of an MPA
The conservation and sustainability of the marine environment in the Bay, as a whole,
and inshore waters around the south of Arran is central to our strategic plan. Lamlash
Bay is the first NTZ in Scotland, second only to Lundy in the UK, famed for maerl beds,
which are some of the best remaining in the Clyde, an important nursery for fish and
scallops. Other inshore environments of Arran display at-risk species and endangered
habitats. The community campaigned long and hard to protect the Bay so it would return
to a healthy, sustainable marine environment.
Key Result Areas:
1. Strategic Direction/Policy development
 To co-ordinate the development of the MPA/NTZ management plan, strategy for
short and longer term, draft plans to committee by Autumn 2011; task to be
completed by the end of 2011
 To represent COAST at discussion on the MPA/NTZ at regional and national
forums. Agree a programme of events on an annual basis.
 Draw the attention of the COAST committee to major new external issues as they
arise and advise on implications for COAST plans and strategies.
2. Operational Effectiveness:
 Mapping of intertidal organisms and diversity in the inshore areas of Lamlash
Bay and south Arran over time
 Help care for the upkeep and presentation of Lamlash Bay through patrol,
advice to visitors, litter clearance and other day to day duties
 Survey Arran coastline for invasive species and produce a map of same
 Research the value of ecosystem services of the Clyde and Arran inshore
waters
 Work with local and research partners in collaborative way in education,
conservation, dissemination of research
 Involvement in education of the public through presentations, exhibitions.
 Interface research with Marine Scotland Science and SNH
 Attend to administrative needs to ensure tasks are dealt with in a timely and
efficient manner
 Involvement in SEASEARCH, and written evidence of findings
 Report monthly to the COAST board member and bimonthly with a written
report to the Board
3. Effectiveness of People
 Develop and maintain effective working relationships with members of the
COAST Board and foster collaborative partnerships with community
organisations on Arran, NGOs, and North Ayrshire Council.
 Develop working relations with the primary schools and high schools and outdoor
educational centres on Arran and in North Ayrshire
 Assist with the running of conservation volunteer projects
 Ability to initiate and manage volunteer programmes
4. Conservation, Education and Interpretation
 To monitor, record and report on the flora, fauna, invasive species, physical
environment and human activities to ensure the management objectives for the
project are met
 To ensure biological records are disseminated to appropriate bodies, research
databases and other users
 Take a lead in promoting, directing and implementing educational activities. Link
these to school curricula, in order to foster a greater understanding of the marine
environment in general and Arran in particular
 Develop and maintain relationships with local schools, community groups, Arran
wildlife organisations


Develop interpretative boards for areas of the island, and update those in
Lamlash Bay as appropriate
Assist COAST committee with building up an archive of the organisation
5. Merchandise
 Promote COAST through the sale of merchandise.
 Assist in the development of the on-line shop in the coast website
6. Financial Performance
 Ensure all financial transactions are fully documented and administered in line
with procedures
 Contribute to the preparation of annual accounts, forward budget and annual
reports to funders
 When necessary assist COAST in the preparation of funding requests for
specific projects
7. Health and Safety
 Work in a manner mindful of health and safety of self and others, ensuring that
activities carried out are supported by Risk and COSHH Assessments as
appropriate
 To assist with compliance of normal Health and Safety for staff, volunteers and
visitors
April 2011
THE COMMUNITY OF ARRAN SEABED TRUST LTD is a Company Limited by Guarantee
Registered Company No SC299917 at Companies House Edinburgh.
A Charity Registered in Scotland SC042088
COAST is the trading name of the above named Company
www.arrancoast.com
Grant supported by
THE UNDERWOOD TRUST
COAST winner of the 2008 Observer Ethical Conservation Project of the Year
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