Residential Volunteer NE Scotland Coastal Reserves - 11 months
RSPB
We are looking for an enthusiastic long-term residential volunteer to join the North East Scotland Coastal Reserves team for up to 11 months, from March 2026.
Due to available funding, this opportunity is supported by enhanced expenses. In addition to providing accommodation the volunteer placement also includes weekly expenses for food, and travel to cover your initial journey to / from Loch of Strathbeg*
The Loch of Strathbeg team manage a mix of reserves under the umbrella name of NE Scotland Coastal Reserves, including Troup Head, Fowlsheugh, Loch Spynie and Meikle Loch.
During your stay you will be a key member of the team and be involved in in a wide range of tasks including:
- Habitat management – vegetation clearance using hand tools and machinery.
- Estate work – Fence building, gate hanging, path maintenance, ragwort pulling
- Surveys and monitoring – breeding wader surveys, WeBS counts, dawn goose counts
- Livestock work – welfare checks and assisting with moving and loading of Konik ponies
- Reserve upkeep and administration – health and safety checks, data entry
We will provide you with a broad range of training opportunities such as certified courses in 4x4 driving, ATV, brushcutter and first aid, as well as assistance with writing applications and interview skills, if relevant. This placement will provide opportunities for you to gain skills, knowledge and experience.
No two days on the reserve are the same and there’s always something new and different to get involved with. You will be living on the reserve itself and will be fully involved with all aspects of reserve life.
This is an excellent chance to make a genuine contribution to wildlife conservation and gain a valuable insight into the day to day running of a nature reserve.
Requirements
Minimum age is 18 yrs old. A keen interest in conservation and wildlife, the ability to work as part of a team and enthusiasm is essential.
You must be comfortable walking long distances over rough terrain and be able to undertake strenuous manual tasks outside in all weathers. A full manual driving licence is essential for driving RSPB fleet vehicles between the reserves. The Residential Volunteer accommodation at Loch of Strathbeg is located in a relatively remote area and the volunteer will need to accept the lifestyle that this brings.
How to apply
Applications will be short-listed and will be invited for a chat with the team either in person or via Microsoft Teams on the w/b 9th February 2026 with the aim of the successful applicant starting at the reserve in mid-March 2026.
Please do apply by 26th January 2026
For further information contact: Kat Suchecka (Assistant Warden - NE Coastal Reserves)
Email: [email protected] Tel: 01346 532017
Reimbursement of receipted out of pocket expenses incurred whilst volunteering with RSPB, restrictions apply, along with a spend limit, full details to be discussed with the successful applicant.
About RSPB
The RSPB is a charity for the conservation of birds and nature. We bring people together who love birds and other wildlife, and who want to take action to restore the health and diversity of the natural world. We carry out conservation on a large scale, protect and restore habitats, and save species from extinction. We’re living in a nature and climate emergency, and we won’t stop whilst the threats persist.
We believe our work makes a real difference to the world we live in. It takes a great team to
save nature and we need a wide range of skills to make it happen.
As an RSPB employee, you will be helping to save nature every time you come to work. There’s never been a more important time to protect our wildlife and wild places, so we want to make sure you feel rewarded for everything you help us to achieve.
The RSPB is a charity for the conservation of birds and nature. We bring people together who love birds and other wildlife, and who want to take action to restore the health and diversity of the natural world. We carry out conservation on a large scale, protect and restore habitats, and save species from extinction. We’re living in a nature and climate emergency, and we won’t stop whilst the threats persist. We believe our work makes a real difference to the world we live in. It takes a great team to save nature and we need a wide range of skills to make it happen. As an RSPB employee, you will be helping to save nature every time you come to work. There’s never been a more important time to protect our wildlife and wild places, so we want to make sure you feel rewarded for everything you help us to achieve.
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