Field Officer - Seasonal

RSPB; Greater London; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A conservation organization seeks a passionate Field Officer for a seasonal role focused on safeguarding beach nesting birds in Norfolk. You'll monitor species like Ringed Plover and engage with local communities to raise awareness and foster positive behavior change. The ideal candidate has experience in bird monitoring, public engagements, and volunteer leadership. This full-time position, based at Titchwell Marsh, offers a salary between £24,571 and £26,231 annually and benefits such as a pension scheme and generous leave.

Benefits

Pension Scheme

Life Assurance Scheme

34 days annual leave

Qualifications

• Experience monitoring breeding birds with nest tracking.
• Ability to engage with the public and manage volunteers.
• Competent IT user with good record keeping skills.

Responsibilities

• Monitor Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher.
• Maintain site fencing and signage.
• Engage beach users to promote awareness of nesting birds.

Skills

Monitoring breeding birds

Public engagement

Time management

Organizational skills

Volunteer team leadership

Diplomacy

Ecological knowledge

Communication skills

Tools

Trail cameras

Microsoft Office

Job description

Field Officer - Seasonal

Reference: DEC20258406

Location: Titchwell Marsh

Contract: 6 months Fixed Term

Hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £24,571.00 - £26,231.00 Per Annum

Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 34 days annual leave (incl. bank holidays)

Are you passionate about empowering communities to take action for nature? Would you revel in the opportunity to be part of a project championing Ringed Plover and securing a future for beach nesting birds in Norfolk?

We are looking for a dynamic and motivated individual with ecological experience and a community centred approach, to fill a six-month seasonal post as Field Officer, assisting our Project Officer in the delivery of Plovers in Peril - an exciting, grant-funded partnership project that aims to reverse the rapid declines of Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher at a key nesting site in North-West Norfolk, through a combination of on-the-ground species protection, community empowerment and collaborative partnership working.

Plovers in Peril launched in 2021, in partnership with Wild Ken Hill, to establish vital monitoring and species protection measures for beach nesting birds. With funding from the Borough Council, we are now approaching our sixth season where we will continue our work to safeguard vulnerable species, empower local communities and generate a bigger voice for beach nesting birds in North-West Norfolk. Your work will help more than just beach nesting birds - you will be working on a project that seeks to cultivate positive change for all the special wildlife inhabiting this important coastal habitat. Our vision is to create a place where wildlife and people thrive.

As the Seasonal Field Officer, you will support all aspects of on-the-ground delivery throughout the busy breeding season (March-August) in line with project objectives. You will be based at RSPB Titchwell Marsh but will work predominantly at the project site - a 4km stretch of shingle beach between Snettisham and Heacham on the edge of The Wash.

Key aspects of the role include :

• Monitoring Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher.
• Maintenance of seasonal site fencing, signage and other infrastructure as required.
• Carrying out predator monitoring duties including deploying and maintaining trail cameras on site and undertaking some night shifts to record the impact of key predator species.
• Day to day engagement with beach users to inform, educate and raise awareness of beach nesting birds and their threats to empower positive behaviour change.
• Supporting a growing team of dedicated volunteers including assisting with inductions, organising volunteer events and on-site support as needed.
• Working to build relationships with new and existing partners and collaborators.
• Assisting with the development and delivery of focused project events to empower local communities.
• Assisting with project communications including creating content for blogs and social media.
• Recording and reporting on recreational disturbance at the nesting site.

Essential skills, knowledge, and experience :

• Proven experience monitoring breeding birds including carrying out nest monitoring.
• A practical aptitude with some experience installing and maintaining site infrastructure such as fencing and signage.
• Experience of predator monitoring including the use of trail cameras.
• Experience supporting and leading volunteer teams.
• Confident engaging with the public and able to show diplomacy and openness throughout each interaction, including those with opposing viewpoints.
• Experience working with communities and building strong connections with people.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal and able to engage audiences through a range of platforms (including social media).
• 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 IT user including use of Microsoft Office.
• Proven time management and organisational skills.
• Confident working independently using own initiative.
• A full driving licence that is valid in the UK and own transport.

Desirable skills, knowledge, and experience :

• Experience in nest monitoring for beach nesting bird species.
• Ecological knowledge of coastal wildlife (coastal shingle communities)

Additional Information

This role will involve lone working and working in remote locations, and some flexible weekend, early morning and night working.

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.

Closing date :

23 : 59, Sun, 11th Jan 2026

We are looking to do interviews on the w / c 19th January 2026

Interested ?

If you would like to apply and find out more about this position, please click the apply button to be directed to our website.

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.

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.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. 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.

No agencies please.