Warden - Oronsay (Maternity Cover)

A rare and exciting opportunity is available on Oronsay. We are looking for an experienced Warden who is looking to develop their skills in a new setting (especially with livestock) or an experienced Assistant Warden looking to make the next step in their career.  

Oronsay is in a stunning location, with awesome biodiversity that comes with unique and varied challenges: remote, isolated, and with a small cohesive team, your approach to life is as important as having the right skills. The ability to live and work in an extreme island setting, often in extreme weather conditions, is essential. You and the small team will form almost the entire population of the island; you will therefore need to be outstandingly committed, have understanding of island living, be resilient, mature and responsible, resourceful, adaptable and practically-minded. If this sounds like you, we would really like to hear from you.

You will spend much of your time farming, helping to manage the reserve with our own in-house Luing herd and Scottish blackface sheep flock and associated feeding/cultivation/harvest. Your responsibilities range from undertaking most of the machinery and vehicle maintenance to completing the biodiversity monitoring on-site too. You will need to have a positive outlook, and be an active team player to be successful in this role.

Essential knowledge, skills and experience:

• Relevant ecological knowledge.
• Health & Safety applying to site management
• Communication and interpersonal skills.
• Estate management.
• Record keeping/data management.
• Proven track record of reserve or land management.
• Biological monitoring.
• A full, manual driving licence that is valid in the UK (to drive RSPB fleet vehicles).

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Machinery operations, equipment servicing.
• Tractor, RTV etc.
• IT and database (Merlin).
• Experience of RHIB work - Powerboat qualification 
• Working in remote settings and small communities

This is a vocational role requiring the successful candidate to live on Oronsay. Accommodation is provided in the form of a cottage on-site which may be shared at points throughout the year with RSPB staff and volunteers. 

This is a Full-Time, maternity cover role for 37.5 hours per week. We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 23rd June 2025. 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.

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.