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

NatureScot; Kirkwall; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service pension

Annual leave 41.5 days

Flexible working options

Volunteer leave

Wellbeing programme

Job summary

NatureScot is seeking a Project Support role to control mink in the Outer Hebrides, with travel across the Uist region. The job involves outdoor work, trapping with live capture and kill traps, and humane handling.

The candidate should have wildlife management experience, a valid driving licence, physical fitness, and strong interpersonal skills. The role may require walking long distances across rough terrain and requires eligibility to work in the UK and residency in Scotland for the contract

Qualifications

• Experience of wildlife management in outdoor settings and use of live capture and kill traps.
• Valid driving licence or ability to arrange suitable transport.
• Physical fitness to work in rough terrain and varying weather.
• Effective time management and strong communication skills.
• Knowledge of the local area and its natural history.
• Experience in INNS eradication projects.
• Boat handling skills.
• Experience dealing with the public.
• Experience with firearms.
• Experience using working dogs.

Responsibilities

• Control mink by trapping in the Uists, Western Isles.
• 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.
• Role may involve walking 8–20 kilometres per day across moorland.

Skills

Wildlife management experience

Driving licence

Physical fitness

Time management

Knowledge of local area

INNS eradication experience

Boat handling

Public interaction

Firearms experience

Working dogs experience

Job description

Job Description

Job title: 1001-342 HMP Project Support | Grade: B | Vacancy type: Fixed Term Appointment until 31 March 2028 | Hours: 35 hours | Salary £30,076 | Location: Uist | Closing date: Midnight 13 September 2026 | Interview date: 01 October 2026

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:

1. Experience of wildlife management, using Live Capture and Kill Traps and outdoor work.
2. 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.
3. As this role will involve working in rough terrain and inclement weather conditions the post holder must have an element of physical fitness.
4. Effective time management and communication skills.
5. Knowledge of the local area and its natural history
6. Experience of working in an Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) eradication Project
7. Boat handling skills.
8. Experience of dealing with the general public.
9. Experience of working with firearms.
10. 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 the civil service pension scheme, a generous holiday leave allowance plus flexi time, and employee discount scheme. Visit the NatureScot website 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: [e-mail]

For information regarding the recruitment process please contact:

[e-mail]

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.