Estate Worker

A fantastic opportunity to play a major role in the on-the-ground work needed to provide the best conditions we can for the spectacular wildlife, such as breeding waders, seabirds and hen harriers, that call our Orkney reserves their home. We also want our reserves to be great places where people can have great natural experiences, and you will be helping to look after our hides and trails.

We are looking for someone who understands and enjoys using machinery and using their practical skills to keep reserve structures in good condition. Someone with real commitment and enthusiasm who understands and embraces the practicalities of land management.

The work will involve keeping the habitat in good condition by cutting back vegetation with a range of tools and machinery, and you'll also be helping keep our reserves stock proof, by building and maintaining fences. We recently bought a Soucy Track tractor, and much of your work will involve using this to top our wetter fields and improve them for breeding waders; this will be a great chance to become familiar with some specialist machinery. There will be plenty of variety in the work, with the opportunity to be involved in livestock counts, herbicide work, hide maintenance, installing signs, peatland restoration work (removing scrub and installing dams and geotextile matting), improving our meadows with green hay and wildflower seeds, maintaining trails, and also working with our local volunteer teams.

You will lead on and be responsible for estate and all machinery maintenance. We\'d like you to keep our machinery and vehicles safe and in good working order and to carry out safety checks on our reserves. Each season will bring a new set of tasks and challenges, and you will be working in beautiful surroundings across various reserves.

The role will involve working in a wide range of habitats, including some tough terrain and frequently challenging weather conditions. You will need to have a good attitude towards health and safety and the demands of working in an upland/wetland environment.