Stock Person

Location: North Isles Ward

Stock Person
Reference: AUG (Apply online only)

Location:

RSPB Onziebust on Egilsay, Orkney

Contract:

2 months

Hours:

Full Time
Salary: £30,977.00 - £33,073.00 per Annum, Pro Rata
Benefits:
Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual Leave
Are you up for a wild experience on a remote Scottish island, surrounded by sea, big Orkney skies and Northern lights? We’d love to hear from you if so.
At RSPB Onziebust on Egilsay, Orkney we are looking for a suitable person to fill a short-term vacancy. Due to ongoing long-term sickness within the team, we would like to recruit a Warden/Stock person. (There is a possibility the contract could be extended until end of January 2027.) The accommodation will be provided free of charge via the on-site volunteer Bothy accommodation, which is warm and equipped with all mod cons.
The main tasks:
 
* Help with daily livestock lookering, feeding and watering (50 cattle and 200 sheep)
 
* Help with moving livestock in line with the conservation grazing needs of the site
 
* Assisting with livestock handling, including administering medication and other health/welfare treatments and checks
 
* Routine maintenance of reserve equipment and tools
 
* Groundwork for installation of polycrub for the Onziebust Wildflower nursery
 
* Habitat management tasks which are likely to be
     
* Removing derelict/dilapidated fencing to improve breeding wader habitat
     
* Making flower rich messy corners across the reserve to help pollinators including bumblebees
So, we are looking for someone who is reasonably fit and has a natural aptitude for practical tasks. You will need to either have some experience of livestock work or be keen to learn and develop this skill. Egilsay is a beautiful island and to spend a few months in such an isolated spot is an amazing experience. However, life here can be challenging, there is no shop, a very small community and when the weather is inclement, very challenging to get much done outside in a day.

You will need to be resilient, happy with your own company and happy to work on your own as well as working with a small team.
The role will be challenging as we are nearing the winter months, but this is a good opportunity for someone who is maybe looking for their first paid employment or even a more experienced individual looking to work somewhere a little different for a couple of months. The weather isn’t always bad, on good weather days, there is no better “office” than RSPB Onziebust.

Essential Criteria
 1. Knowledge of land management practices, including conservation and habitat management.
 2. Some knowledge of ecological principles relevant to upland, highland, island, or comparable environments.
 3. Understanding of agricultural and livestock systems, and the ability to apply this knowledge to support effective land, habitat, and site management.
 4. Ability to identify health and safety risks and complete appropriate risk assessments to support safe working practices.
 5. Follows management direction to work within agricultural and environmental compliance requirements
Essential skills
 1. Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with a range of people.
 2. Strong organisational skills, including the ability to manage time effectively, prioritise tasks, and work to deadlines.
 3. Competent in basic estate management tasks, such as maintaining and repairing livestock fencing.
 4. Ability to work independently and manage workload effectively when working alone or as part of a wider team.
 5. Effective problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound decisions and respond to changing circumstances.
 6.

Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers,…