Estate Worker – Orkney

Introduction

Orkney is an amazing 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 working with machinery, and loves using their practical skills to keep reserves and their structures in good condition. The ideal candidate will be someone with real commitment and enthusiasm, who understands the practicalities of land management.

What’s the role about?

This post offers a great 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 that people can enjoy, and you will be helping to look after our hides and trails.

Much of 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 have a Soucy Track tractor, and much of your work will involve using this to top our wetter fields and so 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 chance to be involved in livestock counts, herbicide work, hide maintenance, removing scrub, improving our meadows with green hay and wildflower seeds, maintaining trails, and also working with our local volunteer team.

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

We are looking for someone who will be keen to play a vital part in helping us to achieve a busy and varied work programme, keeping our reserves as special places for wildlife and people.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• 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 a wide range of practical skills and qualities which will help us with our work.
• You will particularly enjoy working with tractors, trailers, ATVs, chainsaws and brush-cutters (see also Desirable section) and will be happy working outdoors in all weathers.
• You will also appreciate working with volunteers and visitors, helping them to enjoy our wildlife and reserves too.
• You will be comfortable living and working on an island, and will rise to the challenge of working on terrain that can be demanding at times.
• You’ll enjoy working as part of a team, but also be comfortable with working on your own.
• You will have a full, manual driving licence that is valid in the UK

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• It would be great if you have an interest in and understanding of wildlife, and management of land for its benefit, plus knowledge and understanding of nature conservation.
• Livestock management experience would be beneficial
• Surveying knowledge would be helpful.
• LANTRA or equivalent qualification in use of tractors, toppers, trailers, chainsaws, brushcutters, ATV, knapsack sprayer, and other similar equipment is desirable but training can be provided

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

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. Should you additionally wish to provide a CV, please email this to [email protected] once you have completed the online components.

Interviews will be online and held the week starting Monday, 23rd of February 2026.

If a second interview is deemed necessary, these will be held in-person, in Orkney, week commencing Monday, 2nd of March 2026.

A contribution can be made towards travel expenses for those invited to a second interview.

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, and are particularly interested in applying, please 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.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. 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.