Thanks to funding secured by board member Diane MacPherson and the design help of board members, volunteers and gardeners alike our garden is getting a much appreciated upgrade. The work carried out by our neighbour and gardener Abbie Thompson will change the layout of the garden space. Some of the improvements will include adding more planters, painting the walls, make and replace the door and a window on the glass dome, and add flowers and plants to make a sensory garden in Lochmaddy.

We also want to thank Calmac for gifting us one of their planters from outside the mart in Lochmaddy, George Leslie for moving the planter and John Macdonald all his help arranging this to be done and helping with the move.

This upgrade will run until next March when our garden should include new benches and planted plants, flowers and trees. We just wanted to share some of the photos of the work carried out so far!

Some other people we would like to thank are Ian and Gordan who are helping Abbie with the work, and the garden group for their help and suggestions composed of Catherine Macleod, Jean Archer, Ada Campbell, Gwen Evans, Diane MacPherson, Jessie Monroe, Joan Macdonald and Elaine Moloney.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Seasonal Ranger - Uist, Outer Hebrides

Type of Contract: 37.5 hours per week (some weekend and evening working required). Temporary.  Fixed term until 31st October 2021.
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Salary: £27,300 per annum FTE​ (i.e. £9,100 for 4 months)

With the increase in visitors to Uist over recent years; which is expected to increase as COVID-19 restrictions ease and UK residents are encouraged to stay at home for their holidays; and a unique fragile natural environment including two nature reserves at Balranald and Loch Druidibeg and, with a large proportion of the islands habitats designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Areas and National Scenic Areas; the Seasonal Ranger will play a crucial role in ensuring that our communities conservation ambitions go hand in hand with welcoming visitors to this well-loved place.

You will share your enthusiasm for the outdoors and passion for the environment with the walkers, campers, cyclists and sightseers who come to explore our islands during the busy summer season.

You will work outside on walking/cycling routes, in key hotspots for outdoor activities and camping and, at our new Environment Centre in Lochmaddy near the primary ferry port, acting as an ambassador to build awareness of the importance of conserving our fragile environment and support visitor management, conservation and engagement activities. Your working week will be divided between Berneray, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Eriskay (60% Berneray and North Uist, 40% Benbecula, South Uist and Eriskay). You’ll leave those you meet with a desire to respect, protect and enjoy this special natural environment and an understanding of how they can help do this.

You will work on your own and with colleagues, volunteers and other organisations, on a variety of practical visitor infrastructure improvements and conservation tasks to help us achieve the habitat management standards expected of protected destinations such as this. This will take place across the islands of North Uist, Benbecula and South Uist, working in collaboration with our project partners Stòras Uibhist, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland.

You will contribute to the long-term sustainability of a ranger service through investigating income generating activities inspired by our work, growing our capacity through volunteers and cost-effective use of resources.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Nature Conservation

• Be enthusiastic, contributing to the smooth operation and ecological enhancement of the islands.
• Carry out regular site monitoring checks and record keeping, helping us to evaluate performance and plan our activities, including foot path condition checks and people counter figures.
• Get involved with practical conservation tasks, including path maintenance and litter clearance.
• Seek to minimise our environmental impact through sustainable working practices and sensitive use of resources.

Visitor Engagement

• Participate in a programme of patrols at busy times and locations, including weekends and evenings, to engage with tourists, campers and outdoor activity enthusiasts, championing a “leave no trace” culture; providing practical advice based on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
• Welcome customers in our Environment Centre in a friendly, efficient and knowledgeable manner, answering queries and providing information about the local area.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of infrastructure and information, including on-site displays, trails, signage, guided walks, talks and/or other hands-on activities.

Working together

• Recruit, induct and supervise volunteer roles to help grow capacity and assist with leadership of volunteering activities as required.
• Build positive relationships with our community, including schools, community groups and recreational users.
• Support a strong health & safety culture, complying with risk management and emergency procedures, to safeguard yourself, colleagues and the public.
• Additional duties, as necessary, to meet the needs of the Company.

Funding our future

• Seek and support ways to generate sustainable sources of income, including encouraging donations.

 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Hold a qualification in a relevant discipline and/or a year’s ranger experience.
• Experience of engaging the public in nature tourism or working in a busy rural setting.
• Strong knowledge of natural history and conservation.
• Ability and desire to work outdoors in a wide range of weather conditions.
• Confident communication and influencing skills with colleagues, volunteers and the public.
• Experience of working in a team and working with volunteers.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work alone or work with minimal supervision.
• Flexible and adaptive to change and working in a variety of situations.
• Willingness to work weekends and evenings.
• IT literate and competent user of Microsoft Office products.
• Clean driving license and access to own vehicle.
• First aid certificate.

Desirable

• Experience in practical conservation work.
• Experience of developing and delivering events or learning activities.
• Experience in leading groups of volunteers.
• PA 1 and PA6 pesticide training
• Brush-cutter training
• Basic Disclosure Scotland Check
• Gaelic (conversational)

Interested in applying but not sure you have all the skills? Please apply anyway, and inform us in your letter of support how your skills and experience can be applied to this role.

The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Required Qualifications, Skills, Experience & Knowledge reflect the requirements of the job at the time of issue. The North Uist Development Company (NUDC) reserves the right to amend these with appropriate consultation and/or request the post-holder to undertake any activities that it believes to be reasonable within the broad scope of the job or his/her general abilities. This vacancy is being funded by NatureScot and subject to receipt of final approval documents.

APPLICATIONS

Interested applicants should forward a CV and letter of support by email to [email protected] by 12 noon on Monday the 28th of June 2021.

NUDC supports flexible working and will consider part-time applications as a job-share.

Applications will be reviewed from the 28th to the 30th of June, and selected candidates will be sent invitations to interview on the 30th of June. Interviews will be held via Zoom on Thursday the 1st of July and Friday the 2nd of July 2021. 

​Candidates must be able to start immediately.

​Download the job description here.