Nature Reserve Officer in Lochgilphead

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.

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:

• 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.
• Competency driving with a trailer and ATV experience.
• Driving licence.
• Have a working knowledge of nature conservation issues and NNRs.
• Experience working with livestock.

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.

Working for NatureScot – what we offer you:

• An environment with flexible working options.
• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% (7.35% employee contributions).
• 41.5 days of annual leave, including 5 fixed public holidays on St Andrews Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and 2nd January.
• Equivalent of 2 days paid volunteering leave.
• A focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme.
• Job satisfaction from contributing proactively to the twinned nature and climate crisis.
• Death in service benefits.
• Cycle to work and electric vehicle salary sacrifice schemes.
• Access to an employee discounts scheme.
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

Closing date: Midnight 10 May 2026.

NatureScot’s Net Zero commitment: Whether working at 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. Nature is vital to all of us, so it is vital that we are an organisation for all of Scotland. The more diverse NatureScot is, the better we will be in connecting everyone with nature. We particularly encourage applications from people from Minority Ethnic (ME) backgrounds and people with a disability.