Centre Assistants x2

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 and hard-working people-person, to help work in our café and visitor centre at our Pulborough Brooks Reserve.

RSPB Pulborough Brooks is one of the RSPB’s flagship visitor destinations with a visitor centre that includes a shop, café and events programme. RSPB Pulborough Brooks is one of the most important sites for nature in Sussex with over 3000 species. The café and shop have beautiful views across to the South Downs and is set in one of the richest areas for nature in the country.

About the Role:

Our work in the visitor centre is planned via the use of rotas and will include weekend and bank holiday working. Full induction and training will be provided, with opportunities to learn about the running of a busy visitor centre and nature reserve operation. Our café and shop 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. Duties will include working in our café, serving customers food and drink, operating the till, preparing food, as well as maintaining the appearance of the café and stock levels, processing deliveries and following hygiene and health and safety regulations. You will also support our shop team, helping to serve customers, and undertaking other duties typical of a retail operation.

For further insight into the RSPB and these roles please see the recruitment pack.

Essentials:

• Basic food hygiene knowledge
• Computer literate
• Enthusiastic approach to work
• Excellent verbal and written communications 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
• GCSE Maths and English or equivalent

Desirables:

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

Additional Information

We are recruiting for two Centre Assistant roles:

1 x Permanent, Part-Time – 11.5 hours per week (52 weeks per year)

Core hours:
Wednesday: 9:15am – 4:15pm
Sunday: 11:15am – 4:30pm

1 x Permanent, Part-Time – 4 hours per week (Hours increase to 8-12 per week during peak trading periods.)

Core hours:
Off-peak (36 weeks):
Tuesday: 11:00am – 3:15pm
School holidays (10 weeks):
Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday: 11:00am – 3:15pm
Bank holidays (6 weeks):
Tuesday and Saturday: 11:15am – 3:15pm

Additional hours may be available to cover annual leave and sickness, where possible.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 16 March 2026. For further information please contact [email protected] and [email protected]

Please note that we are actively recruiting for this vacancy, and reserve the right to close once sufficient applications have been received.

As part of this application you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete a short 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.