Dream job opportunity at Orkney’s ‘most spectacular nature reserves’

An incredible job opportunity has come up at “some of Orkney’s most spectacular nature reserves”, and it could be perfect for anybody who has ever dreamed of working in the countryside. The position would be well-suited to those with an interest in wildlife, especially birds.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is currently looking to hire a warden to join its team in Stromness, which is the second-most populous town in Orkney. The full-time position will involve 37.5 hours of work per week, and comes with a salary of between £30,977 and £33,073.

According to Orkney.com, RSPB Orkney has 12 reserves across the archipelago that are home to wildlife such as guillemots, kittiwakes, razorbills, hen harriers, and red-throated divers. Meanwhile, Stromness itself is home to various fascinating attractions and renowned eateries that you can enjoy when not working.

The warden will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the reserves, and will take a lead on habitat, estate, and livestock management. The successful applicant will also be responsible for delivering management plan objectives, as well as conservation projects.

You will work closely with colleagues and volunteers to plan and deliver practical land management and survey work, ensuring high standards of safety, efficiency, and record-keeping. You will also lead species and habitat monitoring across the sites and contribute to clear and accurate reporting.

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The job will include regular use and maintenance of machinery such as brush-cutters, chainsaws, and tractors, and will include regular solo working in remote locations. This role also requires flexibility to work occasional weekends, as well as early mornings and evenings.

Those applying for the job must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with a wide range of people, and demonstrate good judgement in day-to-day decision-making. They must also have a proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team, as well as manage priorities across varied tasks.

Applicants should possess practical experience of habitat or estate management, or transferable land-based skills that can be applied in a conservation setting. It is also important that candidates have experience managing projects, ideally in the livestock or conservation sector.

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Other essential attributes include a strong level of bird identification skills, experience of supporting or carrying out wildlife or habitat surveys, and the ability and willingness to safely use and learn a range of machinery and tools. You must also have an understanding of health and safety in a practical environment, with the ability to follow procedures and contribute to safe systems of work.

Additionally, candidates must be physically able to work outdoors across challenging and remote terrain in varied weather conditions. Finally, a full UK manual driving licence or the ability to reliably travel to remote sites that are not served by public transport is also essential.

The RSPB job listing states: “This is an exciting opportunity to join the Stromness RSPB team, working across some of Orkney’s most spectacular nature reserves. From upland moors and peatlands to wetlands and seabird cliffs, our mainland sites support an outstanding range of habitats and species, including curlew and hen harrier.

“We are looking for a skilled and proactive warden to take a leading role in their management. This is a varied, hands-on position that changes with the seasons. Many sites are remote and physically demanding, so you’ll need to be adaptable, resilient and confident working in challenging conditions.”

As part of the application process, candidates will be asked to complete an online application form that will include providing evidence on how they meet the skills, knowledge, and experience needed. The job will close at 11.59pm on June 5.

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For further details about the job listing, see the RSPB website.