Seasonal Ranger – Abernethy

This is an exciting opportunity to work in the spectacular Abernethy National Nature Reserve. From beautiful ancient Pine forest to the magnificent mountain summits of the Cairngorm Plateau, Abernethy is home to over 5000 species including rare and sensitive breeding birds like Capercaillie, Ptarmigan and Dotterel and iconic plants like Twinflower.

This role involves being a friendly face and eyes on the ground, welcoming visitors and patrolling trails to ensure everyone is accessing the nature reserve responsibly in accordance with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and caring for the reserve, wildlife and communities they are visiting.

The increase in numbers of people visiting the Highlands provides an opportunity for more people to connect with nature. Whilst access to nature and wild places is vitally important for mental and physical wellbeing, the challenge of looking after those places is increasing, as busy sites and irresponsible access disturbs wildlife and poses a significant wildfire risk.

What’s the role about?

RSPB Scotland is seeking to employ a friendly, responsible Ranger to assist our existing Abernethy visitor team in patrolling honeypot sites and vulnerable areas of the reserve. This role will involve patrolling key footpaths and core visitor areas, from the forest to the mountains, chatting to people and encouraging visitors to behave responsibly. Using strong communication skills, you will strive to ensure every visitor you meet understands what responsible access involves and why it is so important. You will be working with the visitor team to ensure a comprehensive Ranger presence in the mountains and wider reserve during busy periods and at times of high fire risk. This role will involve regular weekend and evening working.

The ideal candidates will be familiar with the mountain environment, have strong communication skills, be able to work independently and use their initiative – if that’s you we’d love to hear from you!

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Excellent people and communication skills
• Able to walk some distance over rough terrain and to ride a bike safely
• Have an understanding of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and experience in a public-facing role
• Organised and able to report on a number of key criteria, including being able to use Microsoft Office
• Responsible and able to use initiative
• Working knowledge of Equal Opportunities and Diversity
• Knowledge of Health & Safety in the workplace. Happy working both alone and in a team with a variety of people
• Willing to work evenings and weekends
• You need to be able to travel without dependence on public transport.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience in mountainous terrain
• Successful experience of working with a team of staff and/or volunteers.
• Experience of analysing and interpreting data in a visitor experience environment.

Additional Information

This is a Fixed-Term 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 the 18th of March.

For further information please contact: [email protected]

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form where you will have the opportunity to explain how you meet the criteria 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.