National Nature Reserve Officer

Job Title: 1014-406 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

Job Purpose Summary

This role is one of two exciting opportunities NatureScot 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 NatureScot’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.

Areas of Experience

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

Development opportunities NatureScot offer you:

• 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 NatureScot from all staff including; H&S personal responsibilities, equality and diversity, Display Screen Equipment & Information Security.
• There will be opportunities to experience different NatureScot managed NNR’s during the course of the apprenticeship.
• During the apprenticeship you will learn more about the work of NatureScot and others in the natural heritage and conservation sector.

Specific Role Requirements

An Apprentice National Nature Reserve Officer must:

• Demonstrate an interest in and passion for nature and environmental conservation.
• Be willing to work outdoors in all conditions and remote situations
• Be ready to undertake and complete a Modern Apprenticeship in Land and Nature
• Be prepared to attend off-the-job training 
• Have a positive attitude towards learning on the job.

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

Apprenticeship

Build Skills and make a difference.. 

This opportunity will get you out there, being hands-on and learning real skills from the very beginning of your time with us. You'll earn while you are learning and help build the skills, knowledge and experience to have a career that matters or move forward with confidence.  

Are you fresh out of school, ready for a career change or ready to get to work? This is an opportunity that will challenge you, support you and help you grow.  

Our Apprenticeship combine on the job learning, with the opportunity to complete a professional qualification in business administration.  

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:
• We support flexible working for all roles, including part-time, compressed hours, hybrid working and job share. All vacancies are considered suitable for flexible working unless there is a business reason not to. We encourage applicants to discuss potential flexible working arrangements with us
• 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/benefits-of-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

Application Process

Application is by CV and Supporting Statement. Please ensure you have attached these documents when submitting your application.

Before applying for this post;

• Internal applicants should read the Self Service Guide (eRDMS A3155575)
• External applicants should read the Online Job Application Guide 

If you have previously applied for a vacancy with NatureScot you must remove the supporting statement from your profile, before uploading a new version.

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 

 jen.deane@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