Conservation Adviser, Orkney Islands

Introduction

You will be a great communicator, working closely with farmers, crofters, and communities across the Orkney Islands. As a Conservation Adviser, you will develop and deliver advice and projects that benefit the rich wildlife found there. You’ll be part of the Scottish Advisory team while collaborating closely with other Orkney-based staff and projects.

Management for breeding waders such as Curlew, Redshank, and Lapwing has already proved highly successful on Orkney through our advisory work in recent years. Building on this success, partnership working with Orkney Islands Council, NatureScot, and agricultural support organisations will be central to delivery. A good understanding of support mechanisms and grant schemes will be essential. Inter-island travel and occasional overnight stays on some of the more remote islands will be required.

What’s the role about?

The Conservation Adviser will be RSPB Scotland’s main long-term link to the agricultural community outside our reserves, acting as the go-to person for farmers seeking advice on bird and other targeted wildlife management. You will work closely with the Orkney Islands team, including conservation, reserves, public engagement, and administrative staff.

This post will deliver breeding wader management actions within the current Species on the Edge project, alongside colleagues working with a range of other species such as Arctic and Little Tern, Great Yellow Bumblebee, and Scottish Primrose. Your work will complement the Orkney Native Wildlife Project, a multi-million-pound, multi-partner initiative in which RSPB is the lead partner.

Other aspects of the role include partnership working to develop sustainable circular food economies and nature-friendly farming practices. You will also carry out bird and habitat surveys to support farm applications to agri-environment and climate schemes, monitor projects and biodiversity, and provide direct advice to farms. On occasion, you will work with and manage volunteers.

This role will involve lone working and fieldwork in remote island locations and will require occasional weekend and evening working.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Excellent communicator with demonstrated advocacy skills
• An accessible manner, able to understand and empathise with other points of view.
• Strong bird and other wildlife/habitat survey skills relating to UK uplands and coasts.
• Experience writing management recommendations, producing reports and utilising GIS mapping.
• Competent user of core MS programmes including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Teams.
• Significant knowledge of upland and island farming systems including agricultural support and regulation schemes.
• Able to work effectively on own initiative when required.
• Experience of working as part of a team.
• A full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK is essential as the role will involve driving on RSPB business.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Practical experience with agricultural grant schemes.
• Experience of managing contractors carrying out practical measures such as fencing, hydrological excavator works, vegetation cutting/reinstating grazing and other agricultural management.
• Knowledge of peatland management, seabirds, and coastal habitats.
• Flexibility to work from office or home.

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

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from Wednesday, the 21st of January, 2026. For further information please contact [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.