Visitor Experience Assistant

The Rspb; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading environmental organization in England is seeking a dedicated Visitor Experience Team Member for a part-time role of 7.5 hours per week at RSPB Arne. The ideal candidate will deliver excellent customer service, engaging with visitors and supporting cafe operations. Knowledge of food hygiene and great communication skills are essential. This position offers a chance to work in a stunning nature reserve, contributing to wildlife conservation efforts while providing an excellent visitor experience.

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths and English or equivalent is essential.
• Enthusiastic approach and ability to multitask.
• Experience in a catering environment is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Welcome visitors and provide information.
• Support group visits and plan events.
• Assist cafe team with serving customers.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability to manage and respond to customer needs

Problem-solving skills

Basic food hygiene knowledge

Ability to work as part of a team

Education

GCSE Maths and English or equivalent

Tools

Till operation and payment handling

Job description

Job Overview

Our work at Arne is planned via the use of rotas and may include weekend working. Full induction and training will be provided, with opportunities to learn about the running of a busy visitor operation and nature reserve operation. Our cafe and reception operations are a crucial part of what we do here, encouraging visitors to explore the reserve, and giving them a great visitor experience. You will be able to communicate well with our visitors and offer excellent levels of customer care.

Responsibilities

Duties may include working on our meet and greet operation, welcoming visitors to the reserve, giving out information, supporting group visits and planning events, working on our Hire a Guide experiences and encouraging visitors to support our work. You may also support our cafe team, helping to serve customers, and undertaking other duties typical of a busy cafe and kitchen operation.

Qualifications & Requirements

• GCSE Maths and English or equivalent.
• Basic food hygiene knowledge.
• Computer literate.
• Enthusiastic approach to work.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads.
• Multitasking skills.
• Problem‑solving skills and ability to work on own initiative.
• Ability to manage and respond quickly and positively to customer needs and feedback.
• Ability to work as part of a team.

Desirable Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Experience of working at a catering environment / visitor attraction.
• Knowledge of health and safety in the workplace.
• Knowledge of food and food service skills.
• Till operation and payment handling.

Position Details

Are you able to deliver fantastic customer service, and would you like to work for an organisation that is making a big difference to our natural world? We are looking for an enthusiastic, hard‑working and organised people person with excellent admin skills to join our small but very busy Visitor Experience Team at RSPB Arne for 7.5 hours per week. This is a Permanent, part‑time position for 7.5 hrs per week.

About Arne

Arne is not only a brilliant Dorset wildlife watching spot, it is also one of the few remaining places where all six of the UK's native reptiles can be found. Situated on Poole Harbour and part of the Purbeck Heaths National Nature Reserve, this Dorset nature reserve is a thriving visitor haven attracting people of all walks of life; landscapes don't get much more breathtaking than Arne. It's a rich patchwork of habitats, home to a huge array of wildlife. There are wide‑open heathlands as well as ancient oak woodland humming with bird song, coastal wetlands and reedbeds. We carefully manage Arne's unique mix of habitats to create the ideal conditions for wildlife to thrive. As a threatened habitat in the UK, our lowland heath is of particular importance and many rare birds including Dartford Warblers, Woodlarks and Nightjars call it home. But it's not just birds - Smooth Snakes, Silver‑studded Blue Butterflies, Ladybird Spiders and Yellow Centaury (a rare heathland plant) can also be found at Arne.