Warden - Isle of Coll Reserve

We are looking for a Warden for 12 months to assist in the day to day running of the Isle of Coll Reserve. The reserve is located on the Isle of Coll in the Inner Hebrides, a 2.5 hour ferry journey from the mainland.

The reserve is 1278ha and makes up a significant part of the island, with part of the land being designated SSSI/SAC dunes and Corncrake SPA. The key species is Corncrake; there are around 40-50 calling males on the reserve with more around the island. Other key species are the Lapwing, Redshank, Snipe in the marshes, Hen Harrier breeding on the moors, coastal breeding birds, and the flower rich machair.

We are looking for someone with strong interest in wildlife management that understands what it takes to work in an unusual location. The candidate will be self-motivated and have a record of accomplishment working in wildlife conservation with heavy focus on practical habitat management. The tenants have full responsibility for the livestock and the RSPB, as landlord, has the job of doing most of the remainder of the farm work e.g., crop sowing, fertilising, fencing, wetland management etc. The bulk of the management is carried out in-house and only occasionally are specialist contractors brought over to the island.

You will work with the Site Manager to achieve the habitat management of the reserve and be at the centre of running of the residential volunteering programme. We are looking for someone who is organised, strongly self-motivated and fully prepared to take on a varied range of duties in a small team, where efficient timing and balanced workloads are essential.

This role requires working on land that may be wet, muddy or uneven. Walking across rough terrain (wet/soft ground, rocky moorland, dunes) for up to 8km. Strenuous tasks including digging, lifting, prolonged driving of farm machinery and use of power tools. Candidates will need to be able to meet the rigour of the role and understand the health and safety demands of working in a wetland environment.

Essential skills, knowledge, and experience:

• Knowledge of land management for conservation - farmland, wetland coastal habitats.
• Relevant ecological knowledge - farmland & ground nesting birds.
• Health & Safety applying to site management (e.g., risk assessments).
• Communication and interpersonal skills.
• Estate management skills - notably livestock fencing.
• Record keeping/data management.
• Organisational skills including time management and prioritisation.
• Problem solving skills.
• Experience and accomplishment of reserve or land management.
• Biological monitoring - bird surveys.

Desirable skills, knowledge, and experience:

• Machinery operations, equipment servicing - tractor, sit-in atv, sit-astride atv.
• Experience of working with grazing tenants.
• Experience of working with volunteers.
• Agricultural or livestock knowledge.
• Competent IT and database user (Merlin).

Additional Information (please also see the information pack):

This is a fixed-term role for 12 months, full-time 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.

Accommodation is available on site for the duration of the contract under a Service Occupancy Agreement, please see information pack for further details.

You will need to hold a full, manual driving licence that is valid in the UK.

The post holder will predominantly work typical office hours, although the nature of the job will require occasional work outside this time so you will need to be able to be flexible.

Travel during day to day work will mainly involve movements within the reserve with occasional visits to other parts of the island. There will be times throughout the year when overnight travel is required to the mainland for work related tasks e.g. training, meetings, staff gatherings and servicing of reserve machinery/ vehicles.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 19 January 2026. 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.