Apprentice National Nature Reserve Officer

Job Title:  Apprentice National Nature Reserve Officer - Dumfries | Grade: A | Vacancy Type:
Temporary, apprenticeship for 18 months |

Hours:

35 | Salary: £27,482 |

Location:

Dumfries| Closing Date:
Midnight 19 October 2026 | Interview Date: 23 November 2026

This role is one of two exciting opportunities Nature Scot is offering as part of our ambition to expand our contribution to increasing youth employment in the land and nature sector and to develop our provision of skills and training for nature recovery.

These apprenticeships offer an excellent opportunity to work on our National Nature Reserves (NNR) for 18 months whilst completing a Land and Nature Apprenticeship (Nature Restoration Specialist Pathway). Apprenticeships are workplace training roles offered in partnership with training providers.

These are development roles where you will gain practical skills and experience. You will work within a dynamic team including a reserve manager, site maintenance staff and seasonal staff managing reserves in Nature Scot’s South Operations Area. The post will be based in Dumfries and will involve work on Caerlaverock NNR, Cairnsmore of Fleet NNR and Kirkconnell Flow nature reserve. The reserves vary and the tasks and experience you will gain are dependent on which NNR you are primarily based on.

These roles have a focus on nature restoration and you would gain experience in a wide range of reserve management work. Most training happens on the job and much of the work is outdoors. Tasks may be physically demanding and carried out in Scottish weather. It will include practical estate work, conservation management for habitats and species and working with people.

• Habitat and species management – develop skills in practical habitat and species management. Depending on the reserve tasks could include management of woodlands, working in tree nurseries, peatland restoration, scrub removal, control of Invasive non-native species.
• Practical estate work - assist with practical maintenance and management duties including fencing, path work, clearing litter, repair and maintenance of reserve equipment and infrastructure.
• Reserve Management – understand the range of tasks which contribute to management of the reserve.
• Project management - develop awareness of project management and finance.
• Monitoring – assist with habitat and species monitoring. Depending on reserve this could include wintering or breeding bird surveys, habitat transects, plant counts, butterfly transects.
• Working with people – assist with volunteers doing tasks on the reserve, support events and group visits. Promote responsible access and contribute to social media.
• Develop an understanding of the relationships involved in land management and nature restoration

• Land & Nature (Nature Restoration Specialist Pathway) Apprentice SCQF level 5 or 6 (depending on experience)
• Accredited essential skills training relevant to the work being undertaken on the reserve such as LANTRA brush cutter & strimmer and LANTRA all-terrain vehicle (ATV).
• Certificated Health & Safety Executive approved first aid at work training (appropriate to outdoor situations).
• Develop an understanding of land management, the ecology of habitats & species in Scotland and their associated management issues.
• Training in the mandatory core skills required by Nature Scot from all staff including; H&S personal responsibilities, equality and diversity, Display Screen Equipment & Information Security.
• There will be opportunities to experience different Nature Scot managed NNR’s during the course of the apprenticeship.
• During the apprenticeship you will learn more about the work of Nature Scot and others in…