A dream job for anyone who wants to work in Scotland’s beautiful wilderness.
An “exceptional opportunity” to work in some of Scotland’s most beautiful surroundings has come up, with a nature reserve looking to hire a new team member. The role pays a salary of £30,076 and comes with a range of additional benefits, including more than 40 days of annual leave.
NatureScot is currently looking to employ a Nature Reserve Officer at the Argyll National Nature Reserves, covering Taynish, Moine Mhor, and Glasdrum Wood. The position will mostly be based around Taynish, which is a gorgeous 330-hectare ancient oak woodland that is home to species such as roe deer, red squirrels, and otters.
The Nature Reserve Officer is a practical role that will see the successful applicant spend a significant amount of time outdoors, including remote locations. Occasional evening and weekend working may be required, while the job will also involve some computer work.
Key responsibilities include leading and assisting with cattle handling and practical estate maintenance tasks, as well as buildings, equipment, vehicle, and facilities management and maintenance. Additionally, the Nature Reserve Officer will supervise groups of weekly and residential volunteers for practical tasks.
The successful candidate will also assist with the Taynish Art Trail that features outdoor artwork from local artists, as well as help out with events, guided walks, and environmental education activities. Other tasks include undertaking a programme of pathwork maintenance and repairs and assisting with priority bird, butterfly, and habitat monitoring.
NatureScot offers a wide range of benefits to employees, including a Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97 per cent, 41.5 days of annual leave, and two days paid volunteering leave. Other perks include an employee assistance programme, cycle to work and electric vehicle salary sacrifice schemes, and learning and development tailored to the role.
In order to apply for the Nature Reserve Officer role, you should have experience of practical estate or nature reserve tasks and possess a good level of physical fitness. Woodland management experience is also important, as is the ability to work effectively as part of a team and the ability to communicate well with members of the public.
Other desirable attributes include experience working with groups of volunteers or leading teams in the outdoors, the ability to work safely and effectively in remote outdoor environments, and the ability to drive trailers and ATVs. Finally, NatureScot is seeking candidates who have a working knowledge of nature conservation issues.
Those applying for the role must be eligible to live and work in the UK, and must also be a resident of Scotland for the duration of the job contract. Candidates must also be willing to undertake a Disclosure Scotland application, while the ability to speak and understand Gaelic is desirable.
NatureScot wrote: “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.”
The closing date for applications is midnight on May 10, with interviews taking place throughout the remainder of the month. More details can be found on the NatureScot website.


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