Abernethy Forest Assistant – Maternity Cover

Abernethy National Nature Reserve is in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park spanning an area of 140sq km. It is one of the most iconic landscapes in in the Scottish highlands and includes areas of caledonian pine forest, loch Garten and the Cairngorm plateau and Ben Macdui. It is home to over 5000 recorded species, some of the more notable being capercaillie, black grouse, crested tits, twin flower and pine hoverfly.

What’s the role about?

The aim of this role is to assist with the planning, preparation and management of various contracts – within areas of plantation and semi-natural woodland – including thinning of approx. 60ha plantation, horse-logging, field layer management and tree planting. Main duties will include: walk-over surveys/ground truthing; marking and mapping key features; contractor visits and recording progress of work. There will also be opportunities for practical work when required, such as infrastructure repairs, tree felling and seed collecting.

What we need from you:

Essential skills include:

• Knowledge and experience of practical habitat and estate management.
• A proven track record of completing work alone and working within a varied team.
• Experience of record keeping.
• Good communication skills and ability to form professional working relationships.
• Full driving licence.

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Lantra or equivalent qualification in using equipment such as brushcutter and chainsaw.
• Implementing and updating health and safety records and assessments.
• Experience using mapping softwear.

Additional information:

• This role will involve lone working and working in remote locations.
• This role will require occasional weekend, early morning and evening working so will need someone who is able to be flexible.
• There may be training opportunities to support the role.

This is a 10 month Fixed-Term maternity cover role for 37.5 hours per week.

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 18th June 2026. For further information please contact Kirsty Pollard, [email protected] or Fraser Cormack, [email protected]

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

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 in order to be offered an employment contract.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes.