Conservation Officer

Job Type: Fixed term contract to 31 August 2027
Hours: Full time; 35 hours per week

About Us

The Cairngorms National Park is an incredible place to live and work. The UK’s largest national park is a place of sheer abundance, having more high mountain ground than anywhere else in the UK, the largest Caledonian forest, some of Scotland’s purest rivers and finest livestock rearing farmland. It is also home to 25 percent of the UK’s rare and endangered species. It is a truly unique place to work, with our dedicated and passionate nature and climate change team who are committed to achieving the best for both conservation and land management, every day. Furthermore, there is access to some of the most beautiful countryside straight from our Headquarters office door.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority is a fantastic place to work and offers great opportunities to grow your career. The Park Authority is listed in the UK’s top 100 best not- for-profit companies to work for. We’re dedicated to both this amazing place and our employees.

We now have an exciting opportunity for a Conservation Officer to join the Park Authority and support nature restoration and species recovery across the Cairngorms National Park.

Equalities

The Park Authority is an inclusive organisation and we welcome applications from everyone irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, relationship status, disability, age and social class. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, disabled and LGBTQ+ communities, as they are under-represented in the environment sector.

We are Disability Confident committed employer, if you are an applicant with disabilities who meets the essential requirements of the post, we will interview you. In all circumstances the Park Authority appoints on merit-based evidence the applicant supplies in meeting the essential criteria for the post.

The Role

This Conservation Officer role will include a focus on delivering freshwater restoration projects across the National Park, working with partners to improve rivers and catchments. You will lead biodiversity project management, developing, managing and promoting projects and budgets in partnership with communities, land managers and stakeholders. You will design and deliver innovative initiatives to advance conservation objectives, using surveys, mapping and GIS to inform project planning. Responsibilities include preparing project documentation, coordinating and monitoring delivery, securing permissions and consents, managing procurement and contractors, and representing the Park Authority at meetings and forums.

The postholder will support the collation and analysis of habitat and species data, ensuring it is accessible for land management and conservation decision making. You will provide advice on nature and conservation to both Park Authority staff and Board Members.

In this role you will promote awareness and engagement in conservation by working with communities, residents and interest groups to build strong relationships, encouraging participation in nature, volunteering and citizen science initiatives.

So, if you are keen to be a Conservation Officer and you can display the skills and experience listed here, this is the role you’ve been waiting for.

Further information regarding the role can be found in the job description.

CNPA Benefits

• 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service, plus Public Holidays
• Professional development
• Flexible working
• Cycle to work scheme
• Use of pool cars
• Civil service pension scheme – some of the benefits include:
  • member contribution rates among the lowest in the public sector
  • tax relief on your contributions
  • generous employer contributions
  • a secure, inflation-proof pension for life, with no investment uncertainty
  • the option of tax-free lump sum on retirement
  • potential access to ill health and injury benefits if you become too ill to work
  • life assurance cover
  • benefits for loved ones and dependants
  • options to increase your pension
  • keeping all your pensions in one place by transferring in a pension you have built up elsewhere
  • support from our trusted charity partners

About You

To be considered as a Conservation Officer, you’ll need:

• Recognised qualification at least degree level or equivalent experience in an appropriate ecological or environmental discipline;
• Good experience of conservation project and budget management; with demonstrable experience of managing multiple projects and budgets from conception through to completion;
• Experience of working with and managing contractors
• Organised, self-motivated and driven;
• Problem solving skills, flexibility and resourcefulness;
• Excellent knowledge of biodiversity and conservation gained from demonstrable relevant experience;
• Good communication skills and interpersonal skills and ability to work constructively with a wide range of partners;
• Able to demonstrate positive and effective team working;
• Computer literate and IT literate - able to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook
• GIS skills to be able to produce maps and queries
• Ability to produce accurate and concise reports;
• Current UK driving licence
• Permission to work in the UK

How to apply

To apply, please click on the 'Find out more & apply' button below.

Please note, we do not accept Curriculum Vitae (CV).

If you require more information, or if you require any adjustments to be made to the application process due to disability please contact us on 01479 873535 or email: [email protected]

To see how the CNPA collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants, please view the Privacy Notice available on our website.

Closing Date: 23:59pm, Tuesday 23 June 2026
Interview Date: Tuesday 21 July 2026