Assistant Warden

About the Ouse Washes

The Ouse Washes is the largest and most important area of wet grassland in England notable for large concentrations of wintering waterfowl and important populations of lowland breeding waders. The sites habitats are largely managed through a complex cattle operation which the RSPB manages on site.

The role of seasonal assistant warden is to deliver all aspects of wet grassland habitat management on and around the Ouse Washes with specific focus in spring on the sites “off-Wash” habitat projects. The sites hold very important populations of Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Lapwing and Redshank for which you will have responsibilities for monitoring their breeding population and their productivity.

About the Role

Main Duties Include:

• To assist with the delivery of managing flood free wet grassland management adjacent to the Ouse Washes including the 76ha area known as the Pilot Project and 150Ha at Coveney.
• Assist the site team with delivery of various bird monitoring objectives including breeding wader surveys and nocturnal crake monitoring
• Assist with physical water management across the reserve
• Assist with the delivery of willow scrub removal and management.
• Assist with tractor operations including mowing grasslands to achieve their ecological objectives and other estate tasks e.g. livestock fence maintenance.
• Deputise for the Warden (in his absence) in all areas of day-to day management especially water control

What we need from you:

Essential skills include:

• You will have knowledge and experience of practical habitat and estate management.
• You’ll have a proven track record of delivering work independently and as part of a diverse team
• Comfortable managing volunteers from a range of backgrounds
• Reasonable bird watching knowledge and experience of biological surveys
• Be willing to assist with predator control to benefit ground nesting birds
• Full Drivers licence which is valid for use in the UK

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Lantra or equivalent qualification in using equipment such as ATV, brushcutter and tractor.
• Knowledge of servicing and maintaining vehicles, machinery, tools and equipment to agreed standards.
• Implementing and updating health and safety records and assessments.

Additional information:

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

This is a Seasonal 6 month Full-time fixed term contract.

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 the 21st April. For further information please contact: [email protected]

Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert once sufficient applications have been received so please don’t hesitate to apply.

In order to apply you will be required to upload a CV and complete a short application form.

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.