Site Manager – Outer Hebrides

A landscape of crofting, moorland, mountain, and sea; supporting wader filled machair, the call
of the corncrake, soaring raptors, the buzz of a seabird colony and people with a rich culture
– just a tiny taste of what awaits in the Outer Hebrides.

A unique opportunity has arisen to join the RSPB Scotland Outer Hebrides team as site manager.
Based in the wildlife rich islands of the Outer Hebrides, this exciting and challenging role
will be part of a vibrant team leading our reserve work. Working alongside two wardens to
manage five our reserves, the role will also include a large amount of off reserve work with a
focus on supporting crofters accessing agricultural environment schemes.

What’s the role about?

Our reserve network includes three in Lewis, one in North Uist (our flagship Balranald) and one
in South Uist. Apart from a croft in Lewis our reserves are not owned by RSPB, instead being
managed through management agreements. This makes working with local people, crofters and
maintaining good relationships with estates essential.

The role will line manage the two wardens and support them to achieve our reserve targets which
are broadly to support and protect priority species such as corncrake and red-necked phalarope
whilst being locations to signpost locals and visitors to experience the wealth of nature on
offer.

A key task within this role is to work with crofters to help them access agricultural
environment schemes. This work has formed the backbone of our positive nature impact across
Uist for several years and promotes productive crofting that is beneficial to wildlife.
Liaising with RSPB colleagues in our advisory and policy teams you will help ensure that
crofters are included in our wider advocacy work.

With wildlife being so widespread you will work alongside the Island Manager to help identify
off-reserve work that RSPB can engage with to achieve our overall Priority Landscape ambitions
for the Outer Hebrides.

Other tasks will include representing RSPB on public groups for example the goose management
group. You will also be responsible for Health and Safety compliance on our reserves and
maintaining high operational standards.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience: 

• A proven track record of managing nature reserves
• Health, Safety & Environmental Management
• Contract Management
• Cross-compliance/risk management
• Relevant site-specific specialist knowledge
• Budget Management
• Management of People
• Influencing and negotiating
• Agricultural experience

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Project Management and delivery

This is a permanent, full-time contract. We are looking to conduct interviews for this position
from 21st February 2024. 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.

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.