Assistant Warden – Orkney

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Stromness team working on various beautiful nature reserves across Orkney. From upland moors to lowland wetlands, meadows to seabird cliffs and islands, our eight RSPB Orkney mainland reserves support a range of amazing and important habitats including large areas of peatland, and species such as curlew and hen harrier.

We are looking for an energetic, skilled Assistant Warden to join the Orkney team. The role is varied and changes with the seasons. Some reserves are remote, and several have challenging terrain to navigate, so you should be an adaptable individual with an enthusiastic, pro-active attitude.

What we need from you:

As an Assistant Warden, you will be working with the Wardens and Estate Worker, and our regular volunteers. It is important that you have good communication skills, and are also happy lone working. Your main tasks will be to assist in delivering the management plan objectives for the various reserves on Orkney mainland; to help with a range of wildlife surveys; and to help with the site management and infrastructure tasks across our reserves, whilst adhering to all Health and Safety requirements.

The Assistant Warden will be expected to use and maintain machinery, such as brush-cutters, chainsaws and tractors. They will be involved in work planning and record-keeping, surveying of the many key species across our reserves, and assisting in the recording and reporting of this. They will work closely with volunteers, and support for them will be crucial.

Essential knowledge, skills and experience:

• You will demonstrate knowledge and experience of practical habitat and estate management.
• You will have a proven track record of completing work alone, and working within a varied team.
• You will have experience and be comfortable with managing volunteers from a range of backgrounds on practical tasks.
• You should have reasonable bird identification knowledge and ideally experience with biological surveys such as O’Brien & Smith.
• You will need to have a full manual driving licence valid in the UK or ability to access remote locations without public transport.

Desirable qualifications, knowledge and experience:

• Lantra or equivalent qualification in using equipment such as brush-cutter, chainsaw and tractor; certification in PA1/6 pesticides and sit astride ATV.
• Knowledge of servicing and maintaining vehicles, machinery, tools and equipment to agreed standards.
• Experience of volunteer recruitment, and line management and support.
• Competent in implementing and updating health and safety records and assessments.
• Outdoor First Aid qualification.

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.

This is a Permanent Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 11/05/2026. For further information please contact [email protected]

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.

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.