Assistant Warden - (Fixed Term)

Job Description

This is a great opportunity to work on one of the UK’s oldest yet most diverse nature reserves. There is over 1000ha of reserve to help manage from reedbeds, grassland fields, open water lakes, vegetated shingle to our globally unique Oppen Pits with a stunning array of wildlife to enjoy.

What's the role about?

This role involves working with our warden and team of volunteers to help deliver an ambitious reserve management and species monitoring programme across the spring and summer to help reinvigorate the reserve, assess the benefits of the ongoing habitat management and help maintain it’s standing as one of the UK’s best places to see nature.

This post will be focussed on the undertaking of habitat management, species monitoring and keeping the reserve's machinery in good working condition, so it is ready to go when we need it. This role will also be working with volunteers on a daily basis undertaking habitat management, infrastructure maintenance and helping ensure all aspects of the reserve are as good as they can be.

You will be based at Dungeness with the potential for some work at nearby Lydden Valley reserve

Key activities will include:

• Working with the team to deliver the reserves management programme for the spring and summer and help upgrade livestock infrastructure.
• Undertaking species monitoring to assess the benefits of the on-site habitat management
• Lead on the ongoing maintenance of reserves machinery in line with manufacturers recommendations
• Recording and mapping of all works undertaken for annual reporting
• Assisting with the provision of a safe working environment for all staff and volunteers

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• You will have knowledge and experience of practical habitat and estate management.
• You will have a proven track record of working of completing work alone and working within a varied team.
• Comfortable managing volunteers from a range of backgrounds
• Reasonable birdwatching knowledge and experience of biological surveys
• Be willing to assist with predator control to benefit ground nesting birds
• Full, manual driving licence.

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Lantra or equivalent qualification in using equipment such as brushcutter
• Knowledge of servicing and maintaining vehicles, machinery, tools and equipment to agreed standards.
• Experience of staff or volunteer recruitment and line management.
• Implementing and updating health and safety records and assessments.

Additional information:

• This role will involve lone working and working in remote locations.
• This role will require occasional weekend, early morning and evening working so will need someone who is able to be flexible.
• This is a very practical role with and expectation of c4 - 4.5 days a week either working on the reserve or within the workshop undertaking maintenance.

This is a full-time, Fixed-Term contract for 6 months. The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 17th February 2023. For further information please contact craig.edwards@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.

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

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