Stock Person

Location: RSPB Onziebust on Egilsay, Orkney

Contract: 2 months

Hours: Full Time

Salary: £30,977.00 - £33,073.00 per Annum, Pro Rata

Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual Leave

Are you up for a wild experience on a remote Scottish island, surrounded by sea, big Orkney skies and Northern lights? We’d love to hear from you if so. At RSPB Onziebust on Egilsay, Orkney we are looking for a suitable person to fill a short-term vacancy. Due to ongoing long-term sickness within the team, we would like to recruit a Warden/Stock person. (There is a possibility the contract could be extended until end of January 2027.) The accommodation will be provided free of charge via the on-site volunteer Bothy accommodation, which is warm and equipped with all mod cons.

The main tasks:

• Help with daily livestock lookering, feeding and watering (50 cattle and 200 sheep)
• Help with moving livestock in line with the conservation grazing needs of the site
• Assisting with livestock handling, including administering medication and other health/welfare treatments and checks
• Routine maintenance of reserve equipment and tools
• Groundwork for installation of polycrub for the Onziebust Wildflower nursery
• Habitat management tasks which are likely to be:
• Removing derelict/dilapidated fencing to improve breeding wader habitat
• Making flower rich messy corners across the reserve to help pollinators including bumblebees

We are looking for someone who is reasonably fit and has a natural aptitude for practical tasks. You will need to either have some experience of livestock work or be keen to learn and develop this skill. Egilsay is a beautiful island and to spend a few months in such an isolated spot is an amazing experience. However, life here can be challenging; there is no shop, a very small community and when the weather is inclement, it can be very challenging to get much done outside in a day. You will need to be resilient, happy with your own company and happy to work on your own as well as working with a small team. The role will be challenging as we are nearing the winter months, but this is a good opportunity for someone who is maybe looking for their first paid employment or even a more experienced individual looking to work somewhere a little different for a couple of months. The weather isn’t always bad; on good weather days, there is no better “office” than RSPB Onziebust.

Essential Criteria

• Knowledge of land management practices, including conservation and habitat management.
• Some knowledge of ecological principles relevant to upland, highland, island, or comparable environments.
• Understanding of agricultural and livestock systems, and the ability to apply this knowledge to support effective land, habitat, and site management.
• Ability to identify health and safety risks and complete appropriate risk assessments to support safe working practices.
• Follows management direction to work within agricultural and environmental compliance requirements.

Essential skills

• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with a range of people.
• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to manage time effectively, prioritise tasks, and work to deadlines.
• Competent in basic estate management tasks, such as maintaining and repairing livestock fencing.
• Ability to work independently and manage workload effectively when working alone or as part of a wider team.
• Effective problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound decisions and respond to changing circumstances.
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers, contractors, community groups, or members of the public.
• A full driving license is required due to the remote nature of this reserve.

Additional information:

• This role is offered on a full-time basis for 2 months with free accommodation on Orkney.
• There is a possibility the contract could be extended until end of January 2027.

Closing date: 23:59, Tuesday 29th September 2026

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position as soon as possible. Interested? If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

No agencies please.