Saving Wildcats In-situ Conservation Volunteer

Who are we?

Saving Wildcats (#SWAforLife) is a European partnership project dedicated to Scottish wildcat conservation and recovery. We aim to prevent the extinction of wildcats in Scotland by breeding and releasing them into the wild. The project is funded by EU LIFE and is a partnership project led by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland in collaboration with NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland, Cairngorms National Park Authority, Nordens Ark and Junta de Andalucía. Releases are being conducted with the support of Cairngorms Connect and Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return work to mitigate hybridisation (interbreeding) and disease transfer is conducted together with Cats Protection. Please visit the project website for more information: www.savingwildcats.org.uk.

What’s involved?

The role will primarily involve assisting the in-situ conservation (field) team with GPS radio-tracking of released collared wildcats, assisting with camera trap checks and assisting with handling and analysing camera trap survey data (images and excel spreadsheets).

Volunteers may also have the opportunity to assist with community events and other field-based activities.

Where?

The successful candidate will work alongside the project team in the Saving Wildcats office at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig, with regular field work in the wider Badenoch and Strathspey area.

When?

This is a full-time position in office hours (Monday-Friday between 09:00-17:30). The position will be available for six months (depending on the successful candidate’s availability, with a minimum requirement of three months). We would like the candidate to start on Monday 13 April. Please advise your availability in the application.

Who with?

Data management will be undertaken independently with training and support provided by the In-situ Project Officers.

All fieldwork will be undertaken alongside and coordinated by one of the In-situ Project Officers.

What will the experience provide?

Volunteering will give you the opportunity to contribute directly towards conservation efforts for the critically endangered wildcat in Scotland, as part of the RZSS Saving Wildcats project team. You will learn about the conservation issues affecting wildcats and the actions being taken to prevent their extinction, including the first dedicated Conservation Breeding for Release Centre (CBRC) for wildcats in the UK, and the field programme to assess the release sites, mitigate the threats, and monitor the releases. You will gain direct practical experience of handling and analysing large datasets, as well as specific knowledge and experience of camera trapping methodology.

We’ll provide you with full training and ongoing support from the In-Situ Conservation team during your time with us.

You will be provided with accommodation (a private room in a shared hostel located in a town near Highland Wildlife Park), expenses to £50 per week, and a discount to be used on-site at Highland Wildlife Park for lunch. Transport to and from the hostel to Highland Wildlife Park can be provided on working days, but you will be responsible for your own transportation outside of working hours so having your own vehicle may be advantageous.

What we’re looking for:

• A strong interest in Scottish wildcat recovery and conservation and a desire to learn about the challenges involved in species restoration.
• Confidence in handling large datasets, and meticulous attention to detail.
• We require you to have a clean full UK driving licence, that you have held for more than one year.
• Willingness to participate in fieldwork in all weather conditions and enthusiasm for working in a small team.
• You will have a responsible attitude to health and safety, be well organised and motivated with the ability to demonstrate initiative and work unsupervised.
• An interest or experience in living and volunteering in the Scottish Highlands or in similar rural and challenging conditions.
• A high level of physical fitness, including the ability to walk long distances over challenging terrain and in all weather.
• A general positive attitude and adaptability, including happiness to live in a co-shared space.
• You will need to be at least 18 years of age and will be required to provide two referees who will be contacted with your consent. You will also be required to undergo a basic disclosure check prior to volunteering, which you will be reimbursed for once you have begun volunteering.

Desirable, but not essential:

• A strong interest in conservation and evidence of motivation and enthusiasm to work in this field.
• Confidence driving 4x4 vehicles in potentially difficult and challenging winter conditions.
• Experience radio tracking wildlife and using camera traps.
• Basic ecology knowledge, including species ID of some native mammal and bird species.

We are looking to recruit one volunteer for this role, and we hope to schedule interviews from Monday 23 February 2026.

RZSS is committed to being fair, open and inclusive. We believe that RZSS benefits from the involvement of volunteers from diverse cultures, perspectives and experiences. We will not discriminate on the grounds of gender, race, disability, age, religious beliefs, and so on. In some cases, extra support may be given to volunteers (e.g. those with disabilities). We expect our volunteers to adhere to the Guidelines on Equality and Diversity