Ranger - Handa Island

Scottish Wildlife Trust; Scotland; On-site; GBP 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A conservation organization in the United Kingdom seeks a motivated Ranger to manage Handa Island, overseeing wildlife and visitor engagement. The ideal candidate will have outstanding organizational skills and flexibility, essential for adapting work programs and leading a small volunteer team in a sociable environment. Responsibilities include maintenance planning and seabird monitoring, rewarding those who enjoy working in stunning outdoor settings. Accommodation is provided in a specialized bothy. Applications are welcome from diverse backgrounds.

Benefits

Accommodation provided

Opportunity to work outdoors

Responsibilities

• Manage the island and its wildlife, accommodating over 8000 visitors.
• Organise work programs for self and volunteers, adapting to changing conditions.
• Foster a sociable environment while working and living with a team.
• Carry out or arrange necessary maintenance on the island.
• Produce an annual report on activities carried out.

Skills

Excellent organisational skills

High degree of flexibility

Excellent people skills

Capacity to work under own initiative

Ability to organise and supervise a team

Exceptional verbal communication skills

Good practical skills

Knowledge of seabird monitoring methodology

Knowledge of marine and terrestrial natural history

Ability to produce an annual report

Job description

Salary: £26,112 FTE per annum
Location: Handa Island, Sutherland
Term: 6 Month Fixed Term from March 2026 – September 2026
Hours: Individual, 35 hours per week
Anticipated start date for this role is 16th March 2026.
(Accommodation provided is suitable for one individual ranger).
Closing date: Wednesday 7th January 2026 @ 12 noon.
Interviews: Friday 16th January 2026.

An outstanding opportunity for a passionate, highly motivated and skilled individual person to effectively manage this remote and beautiful island, its wildlife and 8000-plus visitors.

This exciting role requires excellent organisational skills, coupled with a high degree of flexibility. You will be responsible for organising work programs for yourself and a team of volunteers, with the ability to constantly adapt your plan according to changing conditions. Living and working with your team, and other occasional guests, will play to your excellent people skills, and you will be comfortable in a highly sociable environment. This role at times can be physically demanding yet hugely rewarding and will more than satisfy your desire to work outdoors in a remote and stunning location. Familiarity with Handa Island would be an advantage however not essential. Weekly trips to Scourie (the nearest, but remote village) are necessary to do laundry, banking, shopping, and exchange gas bottles, therefore, a current driving licence and access to a vehicle are both essential for the role.

Accommodation for the post is provided free of charge in the purpose-built Ranger's bothy.

The successful candidate(s) will ideally:

• have a high degree of emotional maturity, resilience and flexibility
• have excellent people skills, and thrive in a very sociable environment
• be able to work under their own initiative and as part of a close-knit team
• be able to organise, supervise and motivate a small team
• have exceptional verbal communication skills to maintain relationships with stakeholders
• have good practical skills and experience to carry out or arrange necessary maintenance on the island
• have a thorough knowledge of seabird monitoring methodology and practice
• have sound knowledge of marine and terrestrial natural history
• be able to produce an annual report on the season's activities

For further information and to apply, please click here

The Trust is a passionate employer, proactive about creating a culture of diversity and inclusive workplace that promotes and values equal opportunities for all. We welcome individuals from all networks of life, backgrounds, and experiences.

About us

For more than 60 years, the Scottish Wildlife Trust has worked with its members, partners and supporters in pursuit of its vision of healthy, resilient ecosystems across Scotland’s land and seas.

The Trust successfully champions the cause of wildlife through policy and campaigning work, demonstrates best practice through practical conservation and innovative partnerships, and inspires people to take positive action through its education and engagement activities. The Trust manages a network of over 100 wildlife reserves across Scotland and is a member of the UK-wide Wildlife Trusts movement.