Seasonal Field Officer - Plovers in Peril (Fixed Term)

Job Description

Are you passionate about inspiring change within communities to take action for declining species? Would you revel in the opportunity to be part of a five-year project aiming to put beach nesting birds in the spotlight?

We are looking for a dynamic and motivated individual with ecological experience to fill a six-month seasonal post as Field Officer, to assist our Project Officer in the delivery of Plovers in Peril – an exciting, five-year grant-funded partnership project that aims to reverse the declines of beach nesting birds in North West Norfolk, through a combination of on-the-ground species protection, collaborative partnership working and community empowerment.

As the Seasonal Field Officer, you will be assisting with all aspects of project delivery through the breeding season (April-August). You will be based at RSPB Titchwell Marsh but will work predominantly at the project site – a stretch of shingle beach joining Snettisham and South Heacham.

Plovers in Peril launched in 2021, in partnership with Wild Ken Hill to establish vital monitoring and species protection measures for beach nesting birds on a previously unmonitored stretch of coast. With vital funding from the Borough Council, we are now delivering on the next phase of the project and are approaching our third season where we hope to continue to grow our volunteer team, empower local communities, develop innovative opportunities for collaborative working and generate a bigger voice for beach nesting birds in North-West Norfolk. Your work will help more than just ringed plover – you will be working on a project that seeks to cultivate positive change for all the special wildlife inhabiting this important shingle habitat, our vision is to create a place where wildlife and people thrive. Will you join us?

You will be responsible for:

You will also be assisting the project officer with other aspects of project delivery which will include:

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Practical skills relating to fence and sign installation and maintenance.
• Proven experience monitoring breeding birds including carrying out nest monitoring.
• Experience in predator monitoring.
• A willingness to undertake nightshifts as needed.
• Previous experience of people engagement and community liaison.
• Proven experience dealing with conflict - ability to respond to arising issues calmly and tactfully.
• Experience working alongside and leading a team of dedicated volunteers.
• Experience using social media platforms appropriately and effectively to communicate sensitive topics to a wide-ranging audience.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Understanding of safe working practices when working outdoors and a willingness to work in all weathers.
• Understanding of good record keeping and the accurate collection and handling of data.
• Competent in use of IT, Microsoft office, Excel.
• Proven time management and organisational skills.
• Confident working alone using own initiative.
• A full, manual driving licence that is valid in the UK.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience in predator monitoring in relation to ground nesting birds.
• Experience in nest monitoring for beach nesting birds.
• Ecological knowledge of coastal wildlife (ideally vegetated shingle communities

This role is not a 9-5 and you will be expected to have flexibility with your working hours with time off in lieu given. There will be some weekend and night working required as part of this role and so a willingness to work outside of sociable hours will be preferred. Open to discussions about any particular flexible working requests

This is a Fixed-Term 6-month Contract Full Time 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 11th January 2023. For further information please contact wynona.legg@rspb.org.uk

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

If you wish to provide a cover letter with your application, please include this at the end of your CV document upload.

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.