FARM MANAGER

We are looking for an exceptional manager for an exceptional site. This should be considered a hybrid position; an ability to work across disciplines is vital. You will be an agriculturalist with a robust knowledge of conservation or a conservationist with a robust knowledge of agriculture. In fact, you will need to be robust too; this is a post on a remote island - which itself is off a remote island! Your levels of resilience, self-motivation and commitment must match your specialist knowledge. Your team management and social skills will also need to be of the highest order - not least as you and your team of two will be the majority of the island's permanent population.

About the role
The farming revolves around a herd of pure Luing cattle and a flock of predominantly Scottish black-face sheep. We expect these to be managed to the highest levels of livestock welfare and quality production - whilst their grazing characteristics are used to deliver the conditions required to meet the complex conservation delivery of the site, primarily corncrake and chough. You will be working to an already in place five-year management plan but you will be expected to contribute fully to annual and ongoing reviews of the site - and to the development of the new plan when it comes due.

This post is defined by hard physical work and extremes of weather - you must be able to cope with both. If you have good knowledge of west coast farming, tractor/telehandler tickets and an Advanced Powerboat qualification, these would be a significant advantage. If you do not have them you must be prepared to acquire them. You will be a senior member of the Argyll, Arran & Ardnamurchan Team, receiving support from and offering support to your immediate colleagues and those in the wider RSPB team.

If this sounds like you and you fancy a job on a spectacular Scottish island, where the only breath you get time to draw is taken away by the beauty of the place, then we would be delighted to hear from you. A two-part interview may be required.

What we need from you

Essential:
• A high-level knowledge of agriculture, practice and business, and conservation.
• Lead the vision and direction for the reserve through the production and delivery of plans in order to deliver the objectives for biodiversity, advocacy and income generation.
• Experience of managing a team of staff and/or volunteers.
• Ensure the highest professional levels of livestock care and welfare are implemented for both RSPB owned livestock and livestock under RSPB responsibility.
• Develop and manage the reserve budget to ensure financial compliance and delivery of the RSPB’s objectives, whilst securing optimal income levels from trading, subsidy and agri-environment grants.
• Take responsibility for the safe and compliant management of all reserve operations, overseeing systems to adequately control physical, financial, operational and reputational risk.
• An ability to work across disciplines.
• Be resilient and self-motivated.
• Be able to contribute to annual ongoing reviews of the site.
• Machinery maintenance skills.
• Be able to work outdoors in all weather.
• Be able to carry out physical work.
• Have a full driver's license valid for use in the UK.

Desirable:
• Have a good knowledge of west coast farming
• Project management and delivery
• Experience of island/small community living
• Tractor and telehandler tickets
• Having an advanced Powerboat qualification is an advantage

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer.

For all application/role enquiries please contact – Jack Fleming jack.fleming@rspb.org.uk or Andy Knight andy.knight@rspb.org.uk