Assistant Warden

Job Description

We are looking for a skilled and enthusiastic Assistant Warden to join the team managing Mersehead and Kirkconnell Nature Reserves.

You will be energetic, dynamic and will be an effective leader with a passion for developing others, able to work independently and effectively to meet agreed deadlines and targets in accordance with the reserve’s management plan. With your endless passion for our work, you will assist with the management of habitats, wildlife, property and machinery and your passion will inspire others to love this beautiful place.

You will already possess good ecological knowledge with an understanding gained through practical experience of the habitat management practices and monitoring methods required across coastal and wetland habitats. As the Mersehead Assistant Warden, you will be responsible for completing breeding bird surveys across the wetland habitats with energy focused on monitoring lapwing productivity across the site. The maintenance of the anti-predator fence to an exceptional standard and monitoring for the presence of predators will be key. You will manage our fantastic team of reserve and residential volunteers and assist in the delivery of an excellent visitor experience.

You will be a member of the Scottish Lowlands & Southern Uplands Area team; you will have support from and give support to colleagues within this area. The successful candidate will be someone keen to build on previous experience, eager to meet new challenges and develop skills.

You will be a strong advocate for nature for the RSPB building positive relationships with volunteers, graziers, local conservation groups and neighbouring landowners.

Essential qualifications, skills, knowledge & experience:

• GCSE Mathematics and English or equivalent.
• Reasonable wildlife knowledge and experience of biological surveys.
• Knowledge and experience of coastal and wet grassland habitat management.
• Maintenance and operation of machinery, tools and equipment.
• Problem solving and coming up with well thought through practical solutions.
• Developing and implementing work plans whilst prioritising work to an agreed deadline.
• Ability to communicate verbally with a wide range of audiences.
• Microsoft Office and internal packages including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Full driving licence

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills & experience:

• Lantra or equivalent qualifications in tractor driving, brushcutter &PA1 & PA6 pesticides.
• Knowledge of conservation grazing and livestock management.
• Requirements of local agri-environment and cross-compliance regulations.
• Implementing and updating health and safety records and assessments.
• Organising and running events.

Additional Information:

This role will require occasional weekend working, early morning and evening working so will require someone who is able to work flexibly. This role will involve lone working and working in remote locations.

This is a Permanent, Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 11 December 2023. For further information please contact rowena.chambers@rspb.org.uk.

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.