RSPB

Conservation Adviser - Orkney Islands

Reference: DEC20258182
Location: Orkney - Flexibility to work from office or home
Terms: Permanent, Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £33,027.00 - £35,259.00 Per Annum

What’s the role about?

The Conservation Adviser will be RSPB Scotland’s main long-term link to the agricultural community outside our reserves, acting as the go-to person for farmers seeking advice on bird and other targeted wildlife management. You will work closely with the Orkney Islands team, including conservation, reserves, public engagement, and administrative staff.

This post will deliver breeding wader management actions within the current Species on the Edge project. Building on this success, partnership working with Orkney Islands Council, NatureScot, and agricultural support organisations will be central to delivery. You will work alongside colleagues working with a range of other species such as Arctic and Little Tern, Great Yellow Bumblebee, and Scottish Primrose. Your work will complement the Orkney Native Wildlife Project, a multi-million-pound, multi-partner initiative in which RSPB is the lead partner.

Other aspects of the role include partnership working to develop sustainable circular food economies and nature-friendly farming practices. You will also carry out bird and habitat surveys to support farm applications to agri-environment and climate schemes, monitor projects and biodiversity, and provide direct advice to farms.

Essential:

• Excellent communicator with demonstrated advocacy skills
• An accessible manner, able to understand and empathise with other points of view.
• Strong bird and other wildlife/habitat survey skills relating to UK uplands and coasts.
• Experience writing management recommendations, producing reports and utilising GIS mapping.
• Competent user of core MS programmes including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Teams.
• Significant knowledge of upland and island farming systems including agricultural support and regulation schemes.
• Able to work effectively on own initiative when required.
• Experience of working as part of a team.
• A full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK is essential as the role will involve driving on RSPB business.

Additional info:

• This role will involve lone working and fieldwork in remote island locations and will require occasional weekend and evening working.
• A good understanding of support mechanisms and grant schemes will be essential.
• Inter-island travel and occasional overnight stays on some of the more remote islands will be required.
• On occasion, you will work with and manage volunteers.

Closing: Sunday 11th January

To complete your application online please CLICK HERE

Closing Date: 11/01/2026  Location: Orkney - Flexibility to work from office or home.