Community Engagement Officer, Mull of Galloway - fixed term

Job Description

Introduction

The RSPB Mull of Galloway reserve sits at the southernmost point of Scotland, with a breath-taking cliff top vista of Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, England, and the south coast of Scotland. The reserve hosts important seabird colonies and is also designated for its maritime heath habitat. There is an explosion of life and colour in the Spring as the flowers bloom and the birds start their breeding season. Thousands of people visit the site every year, coming not only for the wildlife, but to visit the fantastic café and lighthouse compound too. As Community Engagement Officer, you will be welcoming these visitors and showing them the sights and sounds of the reserve, enthusing folk about the work of the RSPB, and working with our partners and within the community to get people excited and educated about the natural world. You'll need to be confident talking to people, knowledgeable about wildlife, and passionate about the work of the RSPB. There is something new to experience every season at the Mull of Galloway, from vibrant flowers on the cliff tops, to close ups of seabird chicks on our camera system, to the wonder of thousands of migrating birds soaring over the reserve.

What's the role about?

In this role you will be the face of the organisation, building moral and financial support for the conservation of priority habitats and species among the local community. You will welcome visitors to the reserve on a daily basis, and organise and deliver an exciting events programme throughout the season, including a ready to go curriculum based outdoor learning programme for you to connect young people with nature. We would like you to help develop a strong volunteer team on site, achieving the targets of the reserve and ensuring the volunteers receive an excellent experience. Partnership working is an important aspect of the role, and you will need to be able to facilitate and develop good relations with our neighbours and partners. You will also ensure that all the activities you carry out are in line with our brand guidelines and our health and safety requirements.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

Good basic knowledge of UK wildlife, habitats and key species (sufficient to be able to lead public engagement activities in a credible way and to train and motivate volunteers).

Health and Safety procedures.

Computer literacy – Microsoft Office.

Events and project management.

An excellent verbal communicator able to communicate RSPB messages in a way that is understood by a range of audiences and that engenders their support.

Ability to work under own initiative.

Ability to enthuse and motivate themselves and others.

Ability to drive/access remote locations.

Customer care.

Membership recruitment/ involved with charitable fundraising via face-to-face methods.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

Able to perform administrative tasks and to deliver accurate reporting to given timescales.

Understanding of how to use social media to deliver objectives.

Partnership working.

Experience of promotion, marketing and production of interpretive material.

Geographical knowledge of location.


This is a Fixed-Term role for 37.5 hours per week.

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 17 April 2023. For further information please contact crystal.maw@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.

This role will require completion of a PVG in addition to the standard pre-employment checks.

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.