Residential on Reserve (More than 4 weeks) (Visitor Experience - Strumpshaw Fen)

When: Mid June – End Dec 2022

Commitment: 5 days per week, 2 - 6 months

Why We Want You:

RSPB Strumpshaw Fen sits in the heart of the Norfolk Broads in the Mid Yare Valley. It is managed alongside RSPB Buckenham & Cantley Marshes. The wetland habitats include; fen meadow, grazing marsh, woodland and reedbed. The diverse habitats offer an abundance of wildlife a home; including the rare swallowtail butterfly, bittern, otter, kingfisher & marsh harrier. Strumpshaw Fen is quickly becoming one of the prime destinations for birders, nature lovers and families.

We are looking for a Visitor Engagement Volunteer to help us deliver the first class visitor experience that RSPB nature reserves are famous for. In this role, you will be instrumental in liaising with our visitors, developing and delivering a varied events programme and assisting with marketing and communications.

If you want to spend your day with people who are passionate about nature and conservation, who are excited to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with others, who love their work then Strumpshaw Fen is the place for you!

We are a dynamic, progressive team which offers visitors a friendly welcome, a wealth of knowledge and an overall amazing experience which brings them back year after year. We are committed to protecting wildlife and environments through innovative projects and proactive management of our diverse habitats. If you can engage with people, share our vision and inspire them to support our organisation then we want to hear from you.

What’s In It For You:

A fantastic opportunity to gain experience in delivering a great visitor experience in a beautiful broadland nature reserve to a wide range of audiences. This is an ideal opportunity for anybody wanting to pursue a career or interest in visitor engagement, hospitality or tourism. You will gain practical experience in all aspects of running a visitor operation, learn how to market and promote our nature reserve, play an integral part of the delivery of our varied events programme, support the team delivering day to day activities for families, support our education programme for youth groups and visiting schools.

Our staff and volunteers will offer you the support and training you need to have a worthwhile and productive experience. Development of skills, proficiencies and aptitudes are all on your agenda as you work with our knowledgeable and enthusiastic team. In addition you will benefit from free accommodation in our 3 bedroom cottage situated on the nature reserve itself.

Requirements:

You need a serious interest in wildlife and conservation, commitment and a desire to learn. You need to be good at working with children and families and show that you can inspire these audiences to connect with Nature. Applicants need to prove they are flexible, have lots of initiative, able to work in a team and have excellent people and communication skills in order to undertake the wide variety of tasks. Your working hours will be flexible and regular weekend working will be required. You must be 18 years old or over.

Notes:

For information on the role, the reserve and the accommodation offered, please contact Isabella McAdam on 01603 715191 or email isabella.mcadam@RSPB.org.uk

Please send your CV to Isabella in the first instance at the email above.

Interviews will be conducted for this placement, date and time to be arranged.

Please note that the focus of this role will be on visitor experience although living on the reserve will present opportunities to experience habitat management, wildlife surveys and reserve maintenance so you will get involved in many aspects of conservation management.

Appropriate training will be provided and expenses will be re-imbursed where necessary.