EFS Monitoring Officer Antrim Plateau

We are looking for a fieldworker to undertake a range of habitat and breeding wader surveys across a range of farmland habitats in the Antrim Hills, one of the last remaining strongholds for breeding waders in Northern Ireland.

What’s the role about?

• Undertaking habitat surveys to assess the condition and suitability of breeding wader habitat.
• Conducting modified Brown and Shepard breeding wader surveys to identify and record breeding behaviour of key wader species.
• Timely and accurate reporting of data to an online portal and archiving of paper field sheets.
• Maintaining effective relationships with landowners, tenants and the public, to ensure effective project delivery

This survey work is part of the Antrim Hills Curlew Initiative (AHCI) a Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) funded project to create and maintain suitable breeding wader habitat in the Antrim Hills to safeguard breeding waders.

What we need from you:

Essential skills include:

• Degree level qualification in a relevant subject or ability to show equivalent work experience.
• Sufficient understanding of species and habitats of the project area.
• A good knowledge of breeding wader ecology.
• An understanding of the Environmental Farming Scheme/Agri Environment Schemes
• Ability to collect data in the field and record online.
• Ability to work effectively as a team player.
• Proficient at using Microsoft Office packages including Outlook, Excel & Word.
• Full driving licence.

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Demonstrable practical field skills of waders in breeding habitat, particularly of Curlew and Lapwing, by sight and sound.
• Competency in use of GIS.
• Understanding of the concept of landscape scale conservation and the pressures on land use in the operational area of this role.

Additional information:

• This role will involve lone working, working in remote locations, across challenging terrain sometimes in inclement weather.
• This role will require weekend, early morning and evening working so will need someone who is able to be flexible.

This is a Fixed-Term role (4months) for 37.5 hours per week.

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 18/02/26. 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.