The role provides operational leadership across a defined operational area of the Trust’s reserves, ensuring land
management, people management and community engagement deliver strong conservation outcomes. It involves leading
and developing the local team, supporting volunteers and representing the Trust locally and nationally, whilst
building robust relationships. The post oversees planning, delivery and quality assurance of reserve and project
work, ensuring compliance with policies, health and safety and regulatory requirements. It also manages budgets,
risks and ecological data, embedding evidenced based decision making and maintaining accurate documentation and
supporting long-term site and project development. Through this combination of leadership and operational
oversight, the role helps safeguard the Trust’s reserves and advance its conservation mission.
Main objectives:
Land management and project delivery
Manage wildlife reserve operations across the West Reserves Management Area, including conservation and land
management and monitoring of 3,700 hectares across ten wildlife reserves with a range of habitats, including
blanket bog, heaths, fens, freshwater lochs, woodlands within the temperate rainforest zone, and a range of
montane vegetation communities.
Representation and stakeholder engagement
Build and maintain positive relationships with landowners, volunteers, contractors, communities and interested
parties. Represent the Trust professionally at local, regional and national events and meetings, and proactively
manage day‑to‑day issues with neighbours and partners.
People management and teamwork
Line manage and develop the operational area team, leading recruitment, induction and performance. Foster a positive
organisational culture, support collaboration across teams, and act as the key local contact for members and
volunteers. Help recruit, train and retain volunteers, and provide local operational insight to support
fundraising, communications and policy work.
Information and operational management
Maintain risk registers, manage budgets, and promote a strong safety culture. Use ecological data to inform
decision‑making, ensure data governance compliance, and support effective reporting and monitoring of
conservation outcomes through internal systems.
The successful candidate will ideally:
- HND in environmental conservation or similar (essential)
- Degree / post graduate qualification in
environmental conservation, countryside management or similar (desirable)
- Minimum three years in similar
role – to include experience of management planning and coordinating practical conservation work
(essential)
- Health and Safety legislation/procedures relating to outdoor working
(essential)
- Evidence-based decision making (essential)
- Demonstrable experience of securing
permissions and consents required for conservation and land management activities on Trust managed wildlife
reserves, as well as identification, mitigation and management of practical constraints, including but not
restricted to environmental, ecological and archaeological (essential)
- Working knowledge of
Construction, Design and Management Regulations in context of conservation projects (essential)
- Working
knowledge of Controlled Activities Regulations (essential)
- Experience of delivering upland conservation
projects including peatland restoration, non-native conifer plantation felling, extraction and restoration, and
/or native woodland planting and regeneration.
- Experience of working within urban and rural areas of
Scotland with specific reference to managing associated anthropogenic challenges, for example managing for
wildlife conservation in areas of high footfall or remote rural locations.
- Demonstrable knowledge of
upland deer management and conservation grazing for nature conservation purposes.
- Demonstrable knowledge
of conservation and land management to mitigate against wildfire risk.
- Demonstrable experience of
communicating the importance of maintaining and expanding healthy habitats for wildlife and people.
What we offer:
- Salary sacrifice schemes including Cycle to Work & Pension schemes.
- We have always been hugely
flexible in our approach to how you wish to work and continue to offer a flexible approach.
- One Wellness
Hour per week
- Enhanced Pension rate upon completion of probation
- Sick Pay
Allowance
- Enhanced Maternity/ Paternity Leave
- Training and Development
If you would like more information, please email recruitment@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk.
The Trust is a passionate employer, proactive about creating a culture of diversity and inclusive workplace that
promotes and values equal opportunities for all. We welcome individuals from all networks of life, backgrounds,
and experiences.
About us
For more than 60 years, the Scottish Wildlife Trust has worked with its members, partners and supporters in pursuit
of its vision of healthy, resilient ecosystems across Scotland’s land and seas.
The Trust successfully champions the cause of wildlife through policy and campaigning work, demonstrates best
practice through practical conservation and innovative partnerships, and inspires people to take positive action
through its education and engagement activities. The Trust manages a network of over 100 wildlife reserves
across Scotland and is a member of the UK-wide Wildlife Trusts movement.
The benefits
- Flexi time/Hybrid working
- Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and pension schemes
- Weekly wellness hour
- Generous Sick pay allowance
- Enhanced maternity/paternity pay
- Training and Development focus