Warden - Smaull Farm Reserves

Are you enthusiastic about wildlife, adaptable, and ready to help deliver conservation goals on one of Scotland’s most diverse and wildlife-rich islands?

RSPB Islay Reserves are looking for a warden for 12 months (to cover a secondment) to lead the practical conservation land management on the Smaull reserves on Islay. These reserves sit on the island’s stunning west coast and include cliff and coastal heath, along with low-intensity, high-nature-value farmland. Key species include corncrake, chough, golden eagle, hen harrier, marsh fritillary, and many more.

If working on the beautiful west coast of Scotland and managing reserves rich in remarkable wildlife appeals to you, do you have the skills we’re seeking?

The role is based at the Loch Gruinart reserve office and will include periods of working alongside the Loch Gruinart and Oa teams across the Islay sites. It will also involve significant lone working, so strong personal motivation is essential. The reserves operate under a variety of land tenures, requiring good communication and organisational skills to maintain effective working relationships.

We are looking for someone who is organised, self-motivated, and ready to take on the wide range of duties this post demands.

Essential skills, knowledge & experience:

• Demonstrated experience in delivering conservation land management, with a proven record of achieving intended habitat or site outcomes.
• Applies sound ecological knowledge to practical site work, with particular experience in biological monitoring using standard methods.
• Knowledge of agricultural and livestock systems and their use.
• Identifies health and safety risks and completes required risk assessments to ensure safe site operations.
• Relevant knowledge of compliance requirements within the conservation and agricultural environment.
• Competent in estate management tasks, particularly maintaining and repairing livestock fencing.
• Maintains accurate records and manages data effectively, using agreed systems and formats.
• Communicates clearly and builds positive working relationships with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders.
• Organises workload effectively, managing time and priorities to meet deadlines and operational requirements.
• Responds to challenges with practical, well-reasoned solutions to support smooth site management.
• You will need to hold a full, manual driving licence that is valid in the UK.

Desirable skills, knowledge & experience:

• Experience operating and maintaining site machinery and equipment, including ATVs and brushcutters.
• Working knowledge of IT systems, including Merlin, to support site management and data recording.
• Experience supporting and working alongside volunteers in practical or monitoring tasks.
• Experience collaborating with land managers, farmers or grazing tenants to achieve conservation or site outcomes.

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.

Interviews will be held the week commencing the week of March the 23rd, 2026.

Accommodation is available at Loch Gruinart for the duration of the contract, for further information please contact [email protected]

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, and are particularly interested in applying, please 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.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. 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.