Nature Reserve Officer

This is an exceptional opportunity to be part of a team managing the Argyll National Nature Reserves (NNRs) covering Taynish, Moine Mhor and Glasdrum Wood NNRs. NatureScot’s NNRs showcase the best of Scottish nature, landscapes and geology. Our NNRs aim to protect, restore and value nature. They are places for people to experience, enjoy and learn about wildlife. The role will mostly be based at Taynish, a 330ha ancient Oak woodland near Tayvallich.

This role will be part of a small, friendly and enthusiastic team based around Lochgilphead who are committed to delivering landscape scale ecological restoration and a high quality visitor experience. The role is focussed on delivering tasks on the Nature Reserve to achieve the management set out in our management plan. This includes the following key areas of work:

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Lead and assist with cattle handling – feeding, checks and management.
• Lead and assist with practical estate maintenance tasks.
• Lead and assist with buildings, equipment, vehicle and facilities management and maintenance.
• Supervise groups of weekly and residential volunteers for practical tasks.
• Assist with the Taynish Art Trail, events, guided walks and environmental education activities.
• Undertake programme of pathwork maintenance and repairs in line with visitor facility inspections.
• Undertake surveillance and control of invasive non-natives. 
• Assist with priority bird, butterfly and habitat monitoring. 
• Undertake measures necessary to ensure personal health and safety at work.

This is a practical role with a significant amount of time outdoors, in all weather conditions, and potentially remote locations. Some evening and weekend working may be required but these are infrequent. Some computer work will also be required.

Skills (Please refer to these in your Supporting Statement)

We would love to hear from you if you have:

• Experience of practical estate or nature reserve tasks. 
• A good level of physical fitness as this role will involve working in rough terrain and inclement weather conditions.
• Woodland management experience (e.g. NPTC chainsaw certificate). 
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team. 
• Ability to communicate well with members of the public, NatureScot staff and volunteers.
• Experience working with groups of volunteers or leading teams in the outdoors. 
• Ability to work safely and effectively in remote outdoor environments. 
• Driving licence.
• Have a working knowledge of nature conservation issues and NNRs.
• Experience working with livestock.

Benefits

• 30 days' holiday leave annually, plus 11.5 public and privilege holidays pro rata.
• Support your learning and development through training opportunities to build on existing skills and develop new skills relevant to the role. 
• Flexible working
• Civil Service Pension
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A paid Volunteering day for all employees
• Provision of weatherproof clothing for outdoor working
• Use of pool vehicles for work purposes

Prerequisites Required

• Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK and resident in Scotland for the duration of the job contract
• To undertake a Disclosure Scotland application.
• Although Gaelic language is not a prerequisite it is a desirable skill in support of our commitment to our Gaelic Language Plan

NatureScot’s Net Zero Commitment

Whether working from home or in an office, or travelling to meetings and site visits, as a NatureScot you will contribute to our Net Zero plan, for example through positive carbon travel choices.

Application Process

Application is by CV and Supporting Statement. Please ensure you have attached these documents when submitting your application 

Before applying for this post:

• Internal applicants should ensure that they read the Self Service Guide
• External applicants should read the Online Job Application Guide

If you have previously applied for a vacancy with NatureScot you must remove the supporting statement from your profile, before uploading a new version.

Interviews

External candidates will be invited for interview if we are unable to recruit internally.

Working with NatureScot – What we offer you

Please visit our site for information regarding some great benefits to reward and support you whilst you are working for us

Nature is vital to us all, so it's important that NatureScot represents the people of Scotland. The more diverse our workforce is, the more effectively we can connect everyone with nature. We encourage applications from candidates of all ages and genders, people from ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. 

About Us

Nature is vital to us all, so it's important that NatureScot represents the people of Scotland. The more diverse our workforce is, the more effectively we can connect everyone with nature. We encourage applications from candidates of all