Assistant Warden – Leighton Moss

This is a super opportunity to work at the beautiful Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay reserves, home to the largest reedbed in the Northwest, set in heart of the Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape.

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.

We’re incredibly proud of our reserves and are looking for someone to help us make sure this special place continues to be exceptional for people and wildlife.

What’s the role about?

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. Based at RSPB Leighton Moss, you’ll be part of a brilliant team of both staff and volunteers responsible for the effective day to day running of the reserve. The role will be varied, including delivering habitat management, carrying out species and habitat monitoring, leading our wonderful team of volunteers, using and maintaining machinery, assisting with predator, invasive species and deer control, and looking after the reserves infrastructure. 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.

This post is for someone who has a passion for nature, enjoys working outside in all conditions within a wonderful and varied team of volunteers and staff, is adaptable and a great team player with good communication, organisational and inter-personal skills.

What we need from you:

Essential skills include:

• 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 qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• 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
• Planning and implementing small projects

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 Permanent, Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from week commencing Monday, March the 2nd, 2026. For further information please contact [email protected].

As part of this application process you will be asked to 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.

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.