At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead conservation efforts and manage wildlife reserves across the stunning Northwest Highlands.
- Company: Join the Scottish Wildlife Trust, a passionate advocate for nature and biodiversity.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, wellness hours, enhanced leave, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to protecting Scotland's ecosystems.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in conservation while working in beautiful natural settings.
- Qualifications: HND in environmental conservation and three years of relevant experience required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 35000 € per year.
Status: Permanent – Full time / 35hrs per week
Salary: £35K per annum pro rata
Location: Various - based at Inverbroom, Northwest Highlands
Closing date: Friday 5th June, noon
The Role
The role provides operational leadership across a defined operational area of the Trust’s reserves, ensuring land management, people management and community engagement deliver strong conservation outcomes. It involves leading and developing the local team, supporting volunteers and representing the Trust locally and nationally, whilst building robust relationships. The post oversees planning, delivery and quality assurance of reserve and project work, ensuring compliance with policies, health and safety and regulatory requirements. It also manages budgets, risks and ecological data, embedding evidenced based decision making and maintaining accurate documentation and supporting long-term site and project development. Through this combination of leadership and operational oversight, the role helps safeguard the Trust’s reserves and advance its conservation mission.
Main objectives
- Land management and project delivery: Manage wildlife reserve operations across the North Reserves Management Area, including conservation and land management and monitoring of 6,800 hectares across nine wildlife reserves with a range of habitats, including blanket bog, heaths, fens, maritime cliffs and grasslands, woodlands within the temperate rainforest zone, and montane vegetation communities.
- Representation and stakeholder engagement: Build and maintain positive relationships with landowners, volunteers, contractors, communities and interested parties. Represent the Trust professionally at local, regional and national events and meetings, and proactively manage day‑to‑day issues with neighbours and partners.
- People management and teamwork: Line manage and develop the operational area team, leading recruitment, induction and performance. Foster a positive organisational culture, support collaboration across teams, and act as the key local contact for members and volunteers. Help recruit, train and retain volunteers, and provide local operational insight to support fundraising, communications and policy work.
- Information and operational management: Maintain risk registers, manage budgets, and promote a strong safety culture. Use ecological data to inform decision‑making, ensure data governance compliance, and support effective reporting and monitoring of conservation outcomes through internal systems.
The successful candidate will ideally:
- HND in environmental conservation or similar (essential)
- Degree / post graduate qualification in environmental conservation, countryside management or similar (desirable)
- Minimum three years in similar role – to include experience of management planning and coordinating practical conservation work (essential)
- Health and Safety legislation/procedures relating to outdoor working (essential)
- Evidence-based decision making (essential)
- Demonstrable experience of securing permissions and consents required for conservation and land management activities on Trust managed wildlife reserves, as well as identification, mitigation and management of practical constraints, including but not restricted to environmental, ecological and archaeological (essential)
- Working knowledge of Construction, Design and Management Regulations in context of conservation projects (essential)
- Working knowledge of Controlled Activities Regulations (essential)
- Experience of delivering upland conservation projects including peatland restoration, river restoration, conservation grazing and /or native woodland planting and regeneration.
- Experience of working within rural areas of Scotland.
- Demonstrable knowledge of upland deer management and conservation grazing for nature conservation purposes.
- Demonstrable knowledge of conservation and land management to mitigate against wildfire risk.
- Demonstrable experience of communicating the importance of maintaining and expanding healthy habitats for wildlife and people.
Closing date for applications: Friday 5th June, noon
Interviews will be held on: Wednesday 10th June
What we offer
- Salary sacrifice schemes including Cycle to Work & Pension schemes.
- We have always been hugely flexible in our approach to how you wish to work and continue to offer a flexible approach.
- One Wellness Hour per week
- Enhanced Pension rate upon completion of probation
- Sick Pay Allowance
- Enhanced Maternity/ Paternity Leave
- Training and Development
If you would like more information, please email.
The Trust is a passionate employer, proactive about creating a culture of diversity and inclusive workplace that promotes and values equal opportunities for all. We welcome individuals from all networks of life, backgrounds, and experiences.
About us
For more than 60 years, the Scottish Wildlife Trust has worked with its members, partners and supporters in pursuit of its vision of healthy, resilient ecosystems across Scotland’s land and seas. The Trust successfully champions the cause of wildlife through policy and campaigning work, demonstrates best practice through practical conservation and innovative partnerships, and inspires people to take positive action through its education and engagement activities. The Trust manages a network of over 100 wildlife reserves across Scotland and is a member of the UK-wide Wildlife Trusts movement.
Reserves Manager - North - Scottish Wildlife Trust in Scotland employer: Countryside Classroom
The Scottish Wildlife Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional development. With flexible working arrangements, enhanced benefits such as wellness hours and generous leave policies, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles while contributing to meaningful conservation efforts across Scotland's diverse ecosystems.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Reserves Manager - North - Scottish Wildlife Trust in Scotland
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Scottish Wildlife Trust and its mission. Research their reserves and conservation projects, so you can speak passionately about how your experience aligns with their goals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend local events or workshops related to conservation and land management. Building relationships with people in the field can open doors and give you insider info on job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for your interview by practising common questions related to wildlife management and community engagement. Use examples from your past experiences to showcase your skills and how they fit the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace Reserves Manager - North - Scottish Wildlife Trust in Scotland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Reserves Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in land management and conservation, and show us how your skills align with our mission at the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see your ability to lead and develop teams. Share examples of how you've managed people and projects in the past, especially in conservation settings. This will help us understand your approach to teamwork and community engagement.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point while still showcasing your passion for wildlife conservation.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end.
How to prepare for a job interview at Countryside Classroom
✨Know Your Reserves
Before the interview, dive deep into the Scottish Wildlife Trust's reserves. Familiarise yourself with the specific habitats and conservation projects they manage. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how your experience aligns with their mission.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As a Reserves Manager, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, particularly in conservation or land management. Highlight your ability to foster collaboration and support volunteers, as this is key to the role.
✨Understand Compliance and Safety
Brush up on health and safety legislation relevant to outdoor working and conservation. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in previous roles, especially regarding risk management and ecological data governance. This will demonstrate your readiness to handle the operational aspects of the job.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about your experience in building relationships with various stakeholders, from landowners to community members. Prepare to share specific instances where you've successfully engaged with these groups, as strong communication skills are essential for representing the Trust effectively.
