This is a fantastic opportunity to join the Stromness team working on various beautiful nature reserves across Orkney. From upland moors to lowland wetlands, and meadows to seabird cliffs and islands, our eight RSPB Orkney mainland reserves support a wide range of habitats and species. We are looking for an energetic, skilled Assistant Warden to join the Orkney team.

As an Assistant Warden, you will be working closely with the Warden, and the Estate Worker and our regular volunteers. There will be support from our Site Manager and Senior Site Manager.

Your main tasks will be to assist in delivering the management plan objectives for the various reserves on Orkney Mainland; to help with a range of wildlife surveys; adhere to all the Health and Safety requirements associated with this role; and to help with all the site management and infrastructure tasks across all our reserves.

The Assistant Warden will be expected to use and maintain machinery, such as brushcutters, chainsaws and tractors. They will be involved in work planning and record-keeping, surveying of the many key species across our reserves and assisting in the recording and reporting of this. They will work closely with volunteers, and support for them will be crucial.

Essential skills, knowledge, and experience include:

• You will have knowledge and experience of practical habitat and estate management.
• You will have a proven track record of completing work alone, and working within a varied team.
• You will be comfortable managing volunteers from a range of backgrounds.
• You should have reasonable birdwatching knowledge and experience of biological surveys.
• You will need to have a full manual driving licence, valid in the UK.

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Lantra or equivalent qualification in using equipment such as brushcutter, chainsaw and tractor, certification in PA1/6 pesticides and sit astride ATV.
• Knowledge of servicing and maintaining vehicles, machinery, tools and equipment to agreed standards.
• Experience of staff or volunteer recruitment and line management.
• Implementing and updating health and safety records and assessments.

Additional information:

• This role will involve lone working and working in remote locations.
• This role will require occasional weekend, early morning and evening working so will need someone who is able to be flexible.

This is a permanent role, full-time for 37.5 hours per week. 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from week commencing 2 September 2024. For further information please contact Elizabeth.Fricker@rspb.org.uk.

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.