Tayside Warden

Join us in managing three of Scotland’s wildlife-rich wetland landscapes. As a Warden, you will play a vital role across the RSPB’s Loch Leven, Loch of Kinnordy and Tay Reedbeds reserves.

This is a permanent role for 15 hours per week.

At Loch Leven, you’ll be part of a team managing a range of habitats with a focus on wet grassland. The site supports an ever-changing range of wildlife, from breeding waders and wildfowl in spring and summer to flocks of migratory geese and swans in autumn, with red squirrels year-round.

At Loch of Kinnordy, you’ll help to deliver management in and around the wetland, including the open water, reedbed and fen. This site is rich with wildlife including osprey, otters, beavers, red squirrels and a range of waders and wildfowl.

At the Tay Reedbeds, you’ll work within the UK’s largest continuous reedbed, an internationally important habitat along the River Tay. Here, species such as bearded tits, marsh harriers and water rails depend on rotational reedbed management.

This role offers a varied, practical and rewarding working environment. You’ll contribute to habitat management, species monitoring and visitor experience across all three sites, working alongside colleagues and volunteers.

Essential Criteria:

• Demonstrated capability in practical land management – planning and delivering day-to-day reserve or land management activities, including habitat work and maintenance, in line with agreed management plans.
• Applied understanding of ecological and conservation principles – with the ability to use this knowledge to support habitat and species management across wetland or similar environments.
• Proven experience in ecological monitoring – carrying out, recording and interpreting biological or habitat monitoring to inform decisions and report on outcomes.
• Commitment to safe working practices – applying health and safety requirements in practical settings, including completing risk assessments and following site procedures.
• Awareness of environmental and land-use legislation – and the ability to apply relevant compliance requirements appropriately in day-to-day work.
• Experience coordinating with varied stakeholders – such as colleagues, volunteers, contractors or land managers (e.g., graziers) to deliver work activities effectively.
• Clear and respectful communication skills – engaging confidently with team members, volunteers and visitors, and adapting communication style as needed.
• Strong organisational and time-management abilities – prioritising tasks, managing workload within a part-time role and responding to changing demands across multiple sites.
• Accuracy in record-keeping and data handling – maintaining clear documentation, using basic IT systems or databases for data entry and reporting.
• Flexibility to work both independently and collaboratively – with the ability to travel reliably between sites to carry out duties across multiple locations.

This is a permanent role for 15 hours per week.

Please ensure you’ve read the role profile and can demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on the 6th of October. 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.