1001-342 HMP Project Support - B Grade - August 2026

West

United Kingdom

On-site

GBP 26,000 - 35,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension

41.5 days annual leave

Flexi time

Volunteer leave

Wellbeing programme

Death in service benefits

Cycle to work

Employee discounts

Learning and development

Inclusive culture

Job summary

NatureScot in Uist is seeking a Project Support officer to help control mink as part of a fixed-term appointment until 31 March 2028. The role covers field trapping, record-keeping, and liaison with officials and the public.

You will work across moorland and travel the Western Isles, with a requirement to walk 8–20 kilometres daily; a valid driving licence and good physical fitness are essential, Gaelic language is desirable.

Qualifications

Experience of wildlife management, using Live Capture and Kill Traps and outdoor work.
A valid driving licence, or be able to call upon suitable alternative transport.
Ability to work in rough terrain and inclement weather conditions.
Effective time management and communication skills.
Knowledge of the local area and its natural history.
Experience of working in an INNS eradication Project.
Boat handling skills.
Experience of dealing with the general public.
Experience of working with firearms.
Experience of using working dogs.

Responsibilities

To trap mink in the Uists, Western Isles and control mink.
Record contacts with officials and the public related to this work.
Maintain accurate records of mink trapping operations.
Maintain a high level of personal responsibility in humane control operations.
Be prepared to walk 8–20 kilometres per day across moorland.

Skills

Wildlife management

Driving licence

Physical fitness

Time management

Communication skills

Knowledge of local area

INNS eradication

Boat handling

Public dealing

Firearms experience

Working with dogs

Job description

Job Purpose Summary:

To carry out control of mink in support of a project set up and funded by Scottish Natural Heritage The project aims to eradicate American mink (Neovision vision) from the Outer Hebrides.

To trap and humanely despatch American Mink (also rats and potentially ferrets) on the Isles of Lewis and Harris using both “Breakback” (kill) and live capture cage traps.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

To control mink, by trapping in the Uists, Western Isles
To record contacts with officials and the public, in relation to this work
To maintain accurate records of mink trapping operations
To maintain a high level of personal responsibility in dealing sensitively and humanely with control operations

Finally, please note that the nature of this role can involve walking over moorland of between 8-20 kilometres per day.

Skills:

Experience of wildlife management, using Live Capture and Kill Traps and outdoor work.
As travelling is an integral part of the job, you must have a valid driving licence, or be able to call upon suitable alternative means of transport.
As this role will involve working in rough terrain and inclement weather conditions the post holder must have an element of physical fitness.
Effective time management and communication skills.
Knowledge of the local area and its natural history
Experience of working in an Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) eradication Project
Boat handling skills.
Experience of dealing with the general public.
Experience of working with firearms.
Experience of using working dogs.

Prerequisites Required

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK and resident in Scotland for the duration of the job contract
To undertake a Disclosure Scotland application.
Although Gaelic language is not a prerequisite it is a desirable skill in support of our commitment to our Gaelic Language Plan

Working for NatureScot – what we offer you

NatureScot offers some great benefits to reward and support you whilst you are working for us. Our benefits package includes thecivil service pension scheme, a generous holiday leave allowance plus flexi time, and employee discount scheme. Visit the NatureScotwebsite for further details including below:
An environment with flexible working options
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% (7.35% employee contributions) https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/memberhub/joining-the-pension-scheme/
41.5 days of annual leave, including 5 fixed public holidays on St Andrews Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and 2nd January
Equivalent of 2 days paid volunteering leave
A focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme
Job satisfaction from contributing proactively to the twinned nature and climate crisis
Death in service benefits
Cycle to work and electric vehicle salary sacrifice schemes
Access to an employee discounts scheme
Learning and development tailored to your role
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

Interviews

External candidates will be invited to interview if we are unable to recruit internally.

NatureScot’s Net Zero commitment

Whether working at home or in an office, or travelling to meetings and site visits, as a NatureScot you will contribute to our Net Zero plan, for example through positive carbon travel choices.

For information regarding the vacancy please contact:

Iain Macleod, Operations Manager - West

Email:iain.macleod@nature.scot

For information regarding the recruitment process please contact:

recruitment@nature.scot

Nature is vital to us all, so it's important that NatureScot represents the people of Scotland. The more diverse our workforce is, the more effectively we can connect everyone with nature. We encourage applications from candidates of all ages and genders, people from ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community.

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