Field Officer – Solent Seascape

The Solent is home to an amazing network of harbours, islands, estuaries and open water that host internationally important coastal wildlife populations and habitats, such as seagrass meadows, saltmarsh and seabird nesting sites. The Solent Seascape Project and its partners are working to restore and reconnect these sites, setting the scene for species and habitat recovery in the coming years. As part of the Solent Seascape Project, the RSPB are delivering active restoration across several sites within the Solent, as well as providing support for other sites, and increased population monitoring of the breeding seabirds within the area.

The Field Officer will be part of the RSPB’s Solent Seascape team and work closely with the Eastern Solent reserves team and other colleagues to support the success of multiple seabird breeding sites both on and off reserves. Reporting to the Solent Seascape Project Officer, the Field Officer will spend a large amount of time outdoors at different colony sites across the Solent, with time also spent based at our office at RSPB Pagham Harbour and working from home (if desired).

What’s the role about?

The role will involve:

• Seabird site preparation – Supporting and occasionally leading the delivery of seabird nesting sites preparation ahead of the breeding season. This will involve erecting seasonal fencing, signage, setting up cameras, removing or cutting selected vegetation, and other tasks as needed.
• Volunteer leadership – The Field Officer will lead multiple work parties and act as a first point of contact for a team of volunteers.
• Colony monitoring – carrying out detailed and regular monitoring of assigned seabird sites, recording the breeding population, the number of young fledged at each site and an array of additional information.
• Supporting project site delivery – During the post period, several habitat creation and enhancement projects are expected to take place. The Field Officer will support colleagues with these projects outside of the breeding season.
• Relationships – it is essential that the Field Officer builds positive relationships with staff, volunteers and other coastal users to generate support for the project and be able to effectively manage disturbance around the colonies.
• Communications – Help to raise awareness of the species and habitats present by providing information/photos for sharing to a wider audience.
• End of season reporting – support development of the end of season reports.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge of bird and wildlife ecology, habitat requirements and conservation techniques, notably, seabirds and shorebirds.
• Proactive approach to delivering nature recovery and a clear ability to effectively organise and prioritise workload.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the tact, diplomacy and negotiating skills to develop and maintain good relationships with colleagues, volunteers, partners and members of the public.
• Ability to use own initiative to solve day-to-day problems in the field.
• Experience of working to survey, protect and/or manage important sites, species or habitats.
• Skilled use of Microsoft office and ability to organise and manage large data sets.
• A full, manual driving licence that is valid in the UK or ability to access remote locations without use of public transport.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Specialist conservation knowledge of habitats, species and environmental processes relevant to the Solent coast.
• Experience of managing volunteers and setting clear work priorities.
• RYA Level 2 in power boat use.
• NPTC Level 2 award in the safe use of brushcutters or equivalent.
• Rat monitoring with a rodenticide qualification.

This is a minimum 7 months Fixed-Term role 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 16th January 2026. For further information please contact [email protected].

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