Assistant Warden

RSPB; Lancaster; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading conservation organization seeks an enthusiastic individual to manage the Leighton Moss reserve, ensuring high standards of nature conservation and visitor experience. The role involves practical habitat management and the opportunity to lead a team of volunteers. Essential qualifications include experience in biological monitoring, excellent communication skills, and a full UK driving license. Flexibility is needed for occasional out-of-hours working.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of habitat management required.
• Experience in conducting wildlife surveys is essential.
• Ability to repair and maintain infrastructure needed.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the management plan for Leighton Moss reserve.
• Ensure high standards of nature conservation.
• Lead a team of volunteers on-site.

Skills

Knowledge and experience of practical habitat management for key species and targets

Experience of biological monitoring

Repair and maintenance of reserve infrastructure

Skills in servicing and maintaining machinery

Excellent communication skills

Experience of leading and developing a team of volunteers

Ability to collaborate with stakeholders

Full driving licence valid for use in the UK

Education

Lantra or equivalent qualification in using equipment

Job description

Reference: DEC20259268
Location: RSPB Leighton Moss, LA5
Terms: Permanent, Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £27,123.00 - £28,956.00 Per Annum

We are looking for an energetic and enthusiastic individual to help deliver the Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay reserves management plan and ambitious work program.

Leighton Moss is one the RSPBs flagship sites, with over 100,000 visitors each year and encompassing around 360ha of priority habitats, supporting some of the UK’s scarcest birds, butterflies and plants. The seven individual reserves we have are each unique in their habitat, species and management requirements which include reedbed, saltmarsh, freshwater lagoons, wet grassland, calcareous grassland, limestone scrub and woodland. Additionally, the wider reserve area includes some 2600ha of intertidal mud supporting internationally important numbers of waders and wildfowl. Leighton Moss is a SSSI nature reserve which attracts over 100,000 visitors each year, so the post holder must have a keen eye for detail in ensuring that this reserve delivers high standards of nature conservation whilst keeping the visitor experience in mind.

Essential:

• Knowledge and experience of practical habitat management for key species and targets
• Experience of biological monitoring including carrying out both bird and non‑avian wildlife surveys.
• Repair and maintenance of reserve infrastructure with an understanding of both health and safety and quality standards
• Skills & knowledge of servicing and maintaining, machinery, tools and equipment to agreed standards
• Ability to work closely with other members of the team to prioritise and deliver to an agreed work plan
• Excellent communication skills which enable you to collaborate effectively in a team setting, and work with a wide range of people including visitors, neighbours and contractors.
• Experience of leading and developing an effective team of volunteers, including work parties.
• Ability to collaborate with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders including reserve ecologists, contractors, neighbours and visitors.
• Full driving licence valid for use in the UK

Desirable:

• Lantra or equivalent qualification in using equipment such as brushcutter, chainsaw, tractor and excavator.
• Implementing and updating health and safety records and assessments
• Experience of agri‑environment schemes and legal compliance

  Additional information:

  This role will

  • involve lone working and working in remote locations.
  • require occasional weekend, early morning and evening working so will need someone who is able to be flexible.

  Closing: Sunday 15th February

  To complete your application online please CLICK HERE