At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead conservation efforts across stunning wildlife reserves and engage with local communities.
- Company: Scottish Wildlife Trust, dedicated to protecting Scotland's natural heritage.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, meaningful work, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and supportive environment.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and help safeguard Scotland's unique wildlife and habitats.
- Qualifications: HND in environmental conservation and experience in practical conservation work required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 35000 £ per year.
Salary: £35,000
Location: Inverbroom (Ullapool)
Status: Permanent, Full Time
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 evidence‑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.
Qualifications
- HND in environmental conservation or similar (essential)
- Degree / postgraduate 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 3rd July, noon
Interviews will be held on: weeks commencing 13th and 20th July 2026
To apply: Please click here
For more information: Please contact recruitment@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk
Reserve Manager - North - Scottish Wildlife Trust in Ullapool employer: Countryside Classroom
The Scottish Wildlife Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work in the stunning landscapes of Inverbroom while leading impactful conservation efforts. With a strong commitment to employee development, a collaborative work culture, and the chance to engage with local communities and volunteers, this role not only fosters personal growth but also contributes significantly to the preservation of Scotland's natural heritage. Join us in making a meaningful difference in wildlife conservation and enjoy the benefits of working within a passionate team dedicated to safeguarding our environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Reserve Manager - North - Scottish Wildlife Trust in Ullapool
✨Dive into Environmental Networks
Get involved with sustainability-focused organisations and attend their events. Look for local meetups or conferences in environmental management where you can connect with professionals in the field. This can lead to insider info on job openings at companies like Countryside Classroom that might not be advertised widely.
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We think you need these skills to ace Reserve Manager - North - Scottish Wildlife Trust in Ullapool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sustainability:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sustainability shine through. Share any relevant experiences, like projects, volunteer work, or events you've participated in that align with Countryside Classroom's values. This position isn't just about meeting qualifications; it's about genuinely caring for the environment and showing us why you're the right fit for Reserve Manager - North - Scottish Wildlife Trust.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications and Experience:Make sure to showcase any specific qualifications, such as degrees in environmental science or certifications in sustainability practices in your CV. We want to see how your academic background and practical experiences align with the job you're applying for, so don’t hold back on anything that demonstrates your expertise in environmental management.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:As we're looking for someone to jump into a full-time role, be specific about previous roles or projects that demonstrate your capabilities in sustainability. Use bullet points to make accomplishments clear, and don’t forget to quantify your achievements wherever possible – it’s all about showing us the impact of your work!
Research Countryside Classroom and Reflect It In Your Application:We love candidates who take the time to understand what we're about. Mention specific initiatives or projects that Countryside Classroom is known for in your cover letter. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely excited about the chance to contribute to our mission in the role of Reserve Manager - North - Scottish Wildlife Trust.
How to prepare for a job interview at Countryside Classroom
✨Brush Up on Environmental Legislation
Given that we're diving into sustainability and environmental management, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of current environmental laws and regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to real-world scenarios, as you might face some technical questions about compliance and best practices during your chat with Countryside Classroom.
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When you're discussing your background, highlight specific sustainability initiatives you've been involved in. Whether it’s a project at university or work experience, sharing measurable outcomes and your role will demonstrate your hands-on skills, which is super important for this full-time role at Countryside Classroom.
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