Estate Worker

This is a wonderful opportunity to join a great team saving nature and inspiring people in one
of the most wildlife-rich counties in the UK. Orkney is a fantastic place to live and work, and
you will be part of a friendly team working from the Stromness office. We are looking for
someone who understands and enjoys using machinery and using their practical skills to keep
reserve structures in good condition. Someone with real commitment and enthusiasm who
understands and embraces the practicalities of land management. 

This post offers a fantastic opportunity to play a major role in the on-the-ground work needed
to provide the best conditions we can for the spectacular wildlife, such as breeding waders,
seabirds and hen harriers, that call our Orkney reserves their home. We also want our reserves
to be great places where people can have great natural experiences, and you will be helping to
look after our hides and trails.

The work will involve keeping the habitat in good condition by cutting back vegetation with a
range of tools and machinery, and you’ll also be helping keep our reserves stock proof, by
building and maintaining fences. We recently bought a Soucy Track tractor, and much of your
work will involve using this to top our wetter fields and improve them for breeding waders;
this will be a great chance to become familiar with some specialist machinery. There will be
plenty of variety in the work, with the opportunity to be involved in livestock counts,
herbicide work, hide maintenance, installing signs, peatland restoration work (removing scrub
and installing dams and geotextile matting), improving our meadows with green hay and
wildflower seeds, maintaining trails, and also working with our local volunteer teams.

You will lead on and be responsible for estate and all machinery maintenance. We’d like you to
keep our machinery and vehicles safe and in good working order and to carry out safety checks
on our reserves. Each season will bring a new set of tasks and challenges, and you will be
working in beautiful surroundings across various reserves. 

The role will involve working in a wide range of habitats, including some tough terrain and
frequently challenging weather conditions. You will need to have a good attitude towards health
and safety and the demands of working in an upland/wetland environment. 

Essential skills, knowledge, and experience include:

• You will have good practical land management and estate management experience and
  abilities.
• You will have a good working knowledge of agricultural machinery, vehicles, tools and
  equipment in operation, servicing and maintenance.
• You will have many practical skills and qualities to help us with our work. You will excel
  at and enjoy working with tractors, trailers, ATVs, chainsaws and brush-cutters and working
  outdoors in all weathers. 
• You will also appreciate working with volunteers and visitors, helping them enjoy our
  wildlife and reserves.
• You will be comfortable living and working on an island and will rise to the challenge of
  working on terrain that can sometimes be demanding.
• You’ll enjoy working as part of a team but also be comfortable working independently.
• You will have a full, manual driving licence that is valid in the UK
• We are looking for someone keen to play a vital part in helping us achieve a busy and
  varied work programme, keeping our reserves as special places for wildlife and people.

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• It would be great if you have an interest in and understanding of wildlife, land management
  for its benefit, and knowledge and understanding of nature conservation.
• Livestock management
• Surveying of species
• LANTRA or equivalent qualification in tractors, toppers, trailers, chainsaws, brushcutters,
  ATV, boom sprayer, knapsack sprayer, boats and vehicles. Training will be provided.
• Biological monitoring and recording and data input.

Additional Information

This is a fixed-term role for 6 months, full-time for 37.5 hours per week. 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from w/c 2 September 2024. For further
information, please get in touch with [email protected] 

As part of this application process, you will be asked to complete an application form,
including evidence of how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above. To give
yourself the best chance of being shortlisted, you must do more than tell us what you have done
in the past. We want to know how you have applied your skills, knowledge and experience and how
this will help you succeed in the role.

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. Contact us to discuss any
additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have
a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK to be offered an employment contract.