A role to make a real difference! We are looking for an enthusiastic and hands-on individual to join our team and play a key role in delivering our vision for our Onziebust, Trumland and Mill Dam nature reserves. You’ll be part of a small team responsible for the effective day to day running of these reserves. You will likely be based on the Orkney Mainland and expected to frequently travel via the inter-isle ferry service to these island-based sites. This post is for someone who enjoys working outside in all conditions, with livestock and with a resourcefulness needed for remote island settings. Onziebust Nature Reserve sits on the island of Egilsay, one of the Orkney Inner-North Isles where we own and manage around 280ha of mixed wet grassland nature reserve. This site is one of RSPB’s most important areas for breeding waders such as Curlew, Redshank and Lapwing. It is also a key site for Great Yellow Bumblebee. This site houses livestock year-round, so assisting in the management of these animals to deliver our important grazing work will be a key part of this role. RSPB Trumland is an 400ha area of heath and blanket bog with important populations of breeding Hen Harrier and Merlin. We have future aspirations to undertake peatland restoration work here and are making headway into control the invasive scrub species threatening part of this site. RSPB Mill Dam is a 28ha nature reserve-based on the island of Shapinsay. Here we work with local island graziers to ensure both the wet and floristically rich grassland is managed year on year. We also manipulate the water levels to make sure that habitats are in top condition for both wintering water birds and breeding birds in the spring and summer months. What does this role look like? Hands-on management of cattle and sheep Monitoring wader populations, raptors, bumblebees and habitat conditions Carrying out habitat management such as scrape creation and mechanical cutting Management planning and producing annual reports Volunteer management Maintaining machinery such as quadbikes and tractors Maintaining high health and safety and cross compliance standards Managing small-medium sized projects What you will bring Essential skills, knowledge and experience: Land management experience Hands-on livestock management experience Estate management skills and experience, such as stock fence maintenance Ecological knowledge of wet grasslands and moorland Knowledge of health, safety and environmental legislation applying to site management Individual and team working skills Biological monitoring experience and knowledge IT skills including record keeping, producing reports and data management Organisational skills including time management, prioritisation and problem solving Desirable skills, knowledge, and experience: Experience of using machinery such as tractors and quadbikes Experience of managing contractors and volunteers Knowledge of compliance requirements relating to managing land and livestock Experience of working with graziers Experience of working with visitors and delivering engagement activities Additional information: This role will involve lone working and working in remote locations This role will require occasional weekend, early morning and evening working The role holder will require a full, manual driving licence that is valid in the UK Does this sound like you? If so, we’d love to hear from you. For any questions about the position or accommodation options, please get in touch with vicky.anderson@rspb.org.uk Applications for this role close on Sunday the 9th of November, 2025. First interviews will be online and held the week starting Monday the 17th of November, 2025. Second interviews for this role will be held in-person in Orkney/Egilsay the week commencing Monday the 8th of December 2025, with the start date to be agreed with the successful candidate. A contribution can be made towards travel expenses for those invited to interview. 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 exempt from 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. Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.