Job Description
Job title: 1001-423 Nature Reserve Officer - Argyll | Grade: b | Vacancy type: Temporary 6 months | Hours: 14 | Salary £27,940 pro rata (pay award pending effective 01 April 2025) | Location: Argyll NNRs, based near Lochgilphead / Taynish NNR, flexible (Home and hybrid working will be considered) | Closing date: midnight 14th July 2025 | Internal & external interviews 4th August 2025.
Job Summary
This is an exceptional opportunity to be part of a team managing the Argyll National Nature Reserves (NNRs) covering Taynish, Moine Mhor and Glasdrum Wood NNRs. NatureScot’s NNRs showcase the best of Scottish nature, landscapes and geology. Our NNRs aim to protect, restore and value nature. They are places for people to experience, enjoy and learn about wildlife. The role will mostly be based at Taynish, a 330ha ancient Oak woodland near Tayvallich.
This role will be part of a small, friendly and enthusiastic team based around Lochgilphead who are committed to delivering landscape scale ecological restoration and a high quality visitor experience. The role is focussed on delivering tasks on the Nature Reserve to achieve the management set out in our management plan. This includes the following key areas of work:
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
1. Lead and assist with cattle handling – feeding, checks and management.
2. Lead and assist with practical estate maintenance tasks.
3. Lead and assist with buildings, equipment, vehicle and facilities management and maintenance.
4. Supervise groups of weekly and residential volunteers for practical tasks.
5. Assist with the Taynish Art Trail, events, guided walks and environmental education activities.
6. Undertake programme of pathwork maintenance and repairs in line with visitor facility inspections.
7. Undertake surveillance and control of invasive non-natives.
8. Assist with priority bird, butterfly and habitat monitoring.
9. Undertake measures necessary to ensure personal health and safety at work.
This is a practical role with a significant amount of time outdoors, in all weather conditions, and potentially remote locations. Some evening and weekend working may be required but these are infrequent. Some computer work will also be required.
Skills (Please refer to these in your Supporting Statement)
We would love to hear from you if you have:
10. Experience of practical estate or nature reserve tasks.
11. A good level of physical fitness as this role will involve working in rough terrain and inclement weather conditions.
12. Woodland management experience (e.g. NPTC chainsaw certificate).
13. Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
14. Ability to communicate well with members of the public, NatureScot staff and volunteers.
15. Experience working with groups of volunteers or leading teams in the outdoors.
16. Ability to work safely and effectively in remote outdoor environments.
17. Driving licence.
18. Have a working knowledge of nature conservation issues and NNRs.
19. Experience working with livestock.
Benefits
20. 30 days' holiday leave annually, plus 11.5 public and privilege holidays pro rata.
21. Support your learning and development through training opportunities to build on existing skills and develop new skills relevant to the role.
22. Flexible working
23. Civil Service Pension
24. Cycle to Work scheme
25. A paid Volunteering day for all employees
26. Provision of weatherproof clothing for outdoor working
27. Use of pool vehicles for work purposes