Seasonal Ranger (Forest)

Job Description

This is a fantastic opportunity to help protect one of the most spectacular sites for nature in Scotland. The wide variety of rare wildlife and beautiful scenery attracts thousands of visitors every year.

About Abernethy

Abernethy contains the largest remaining fragment of Ancient Caledonian pine forest and is home to over 5000 species including sensitive and rare species such as Capercaillie and Twinflower. This role involves being a friendly face and eyes on the ground, chatting to visitors and patrolling trails to ensure everyone is accessing the nature reserve responsibly in accordance with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and caring for the reserve, wildlife and communities they are visiting.

The dramatic increase in numbers of people visiting the Highlands provides an opportunity to bring nature to wider audiences. Whilst access to nature and wild places is vitally important for mental and physical wellbeing, the challenge of looking after those places is increasing, as busy sites and irresponsible access disturb wildlife and pose a fire risk.

About the Role:

RSPB Scotland is seeking to employ two friendly, responsible Rangers to assist our existing Abernethy visitor team in patrolling honeypot sites and vulnerable areas of the reserve. The main part of the role will be patrolling the key footpaths and core visitor areas to chat to people and ensure they are accessing the nature reserve responsibly. Using strong communication skills, you will strive to ensure every visitor you meet understands what responsible access involves and why it is so important. The main issues will be around campfires, wild camping and dogs on leads.

Key duties include:

• You will have good communication skills and be confident chatting to a wide variety of people; highlighting responsible behaviour and dealing with any access issues when they arise
• You will be welcoming and knowledgeable, enhancing our visitor's experience in nature and encouraging them to access the site responsibly
• You will be representing the RSPB and will act professionally at all times
• You will be organised and able to regularly report on key data to allow us to form an accurate picture of access issues and liaise with other organisations
• You will work with RSPB visitor experience staff, the wider reserve team and Cairngorm National Park Rangers to effectively and efficiently cover key areas at key times

What we need from you - essential skills, knowledge, & experience:

• Strong communication skills and an interest in nature and conservation.
• You need to be able to walk some distance over rough terrain.
• Able to ride a bike safely, on forest tracks.
• Have an understanding of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and experience in a public-facing role.
• Organised and able to report on a number of key criteria, including being able to use Microsoft Office.
• Responsible and able to use initiative.
• Happy working both alone and in a team with a variety of people.
• Willing to work evenings and weekends.
• You need to be able to travel without dependence on public transport.

Additional Information:

There are 2 full-time roles available, one for 4 months and one for 5 months. We will also consider part-time applicants.

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term

Accommodation is not provided

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position as soon as suitable candidates present themselves, so please do not delay in applying. For further information please contact: kirsty.pollard@rspb.org.uk

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.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert

Please note that we are actively recruiting for this vacancy, and reserve the right to close once sufficient applications have been received.