Invergeldie Estate Ranger: Stalking & Estate Operations

Picture this. You’re out on a stalk at first light, red deer moving across the hill and Ben Chonzie lit up behind you. By late morning you are mending a stretch of fence that stands between 1.5 million young trees and the herbivores that would happily eat them. By the afternoon you are fixing a pothole, mending a leak or sanding and oiling wooden signs. No two days are the same, and every one of them matters.

STOP. Before you file this away as another estate job, let us be clear about what this is. Invergeldie is a conservation estate of 11,701 acres in one of the most beautiful glens in Scotland, and it is the site of an ambitious programme of woodland creation, peatland restoration, river restoration and nature recovery. We are looking for a genuinely capable, practical person who can turn their hand to almost anything, and who wants their work to count. If that is you, read on.

Closing date: Until we find someone awesome!

About You

Do you want to work hard for people and wildlife, and look back in years to come knowing that what you did helped in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss? We are looking for someone who wants to make a long-term commitment to this place, its hills and its community. You will be practical, fit, self-motivated and happy working alone on the hill or as part of a small, collaborative team. Above all, you will be someone who takes real pride in a job done well.

We’re looking for:

Impact

Deer control: a confident, safe and ethical stalker, DSC1 held, with DSC2 either held or genuinely underway, and your own current Firearm and Shotgun Certificate — ready to be our boots-on-the-hill presence on herbivore management day in, day out.

Practical all-rounder: genuinely handy across estate, farm, forestry or maintenance work, with real ability across trades and machinery and the judgement to know when to crack on and when to call in a specialist. You’ll also need a full UK driving licence to get yourself across the estate and beyond.

Exacting standards: a sharp eye for detail and a deep commitment to doing things properly, safely and to a standard you would be happy to sign your name to.

Environment

A feel for the wild: a love of the natural world, rural Scotland and hill country, and a belief in restoring land rather than simply managing it.

Adventure

Up for it: fuelled by hard work outdoors in all weathers, and by the idea of helping build something that has never been done at this scale before.

Steady under pressure: priorities here change with the weather, the season and the deer. You keep a cool head and get the important things done.

Comfortable with a rhythm that shifts with the land: No two weeks look the same here. You might be out through the evening during the cull, up before dawn to catch the best window on the hill the next day, or lending a hand elsewhere on the estate when it’s needed. The work follows the seasons and the land, not a fixed clock — and you’re someone who finds that exciting rather than unsettling. and that includes the fitness and self-discipline to work safely on the hill, often alone.

Together

A team player: happy working alongside our Estate Manager and Estate Ranger, our specialist deer contractor and a wide range of trades and neighbours.

Good with people: comfortable representing Invergeldie and Oxygen Conservation well, whoever we are working with.

Kindness and Approachability: And, of course, you have to be the kind of person people want to share a hill with. Sharing snacks on a long day, or a packed lunch out in the rain, is mandatory.

We believe in recruiting exceptional people and building the role around them. We are committed to a genuinely diverse team drawn from all walks of life, with a wide range of lived and learnt experience. You might have skills in some, but not all, of the areas above. Whatever your skillset, we would love to hear from you if you think you can make a real difference with Oxygen Conservation and the communities where we are fortunate to work.

What We’d Love You To Do Deer and Herbivore Control Carry out safe, humane, planned culling; move and manage deer across the estate; work alongside our specialist contractor; and help deliver the annual herbivore management plan and its records.

Fencing Inspect and repair stock and deer fencing across the estate, keeping our woodland creation enclosure and its deer fence sound and effective. Property and Building Maintenance Keep our ageing built estate in good order – repairs and upkeep to houses, lodges, outbuildings and estate infrastructure, turning your hand to joinery, roofing and general building work. Machinery, Vehicles and Plant Operate and maintain quads, tractors, chainsaws and small plant safely and keep them well looked after and ready for work. Estate Presentation and Operations Help keep Invergeldie looking cared-for and running smoothly, from tracks and drains to gates, signage and lawns; the general upkeep of a working conservation estate. Health and Safety Plan and carry out your work safely, follow risk assessments and safe systems of work, and look after yourself, your colleagues and estate visitors, including when working alone.

Working Together Support the Invergeldie team, our contractors and the wider Oxygen Conservation team, and represent the estate well with tenants, neighbours, visitors and the Comrie community.