Residential on Reserve (More than 4 weeks) (Insh Marshes)

What we’re looking for

This long-term residential placement is an ideal opportunity for someone with an aspiration to work in the conservation sector. With three full time staff members on the 1030 ha reserve, long term residential volunteers are crucial in assisting with the work programme and implementing the reserve management plan on this internationally important site. We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual with a passion for conservation and wildlife.

It is really important that you are someone who is happy living and working as part of small team or on your own. You would need to be a responsible and mature individual who is comfortable at using your own initiative to plan, carry out and complete tasks, and also have the confidence to ask for help and advice when you require it.

The skills you need

Enthusiasm, ability to work as part of a team and on your own, ability to carry out strenuous manual labour, interest in conservation. You need to be at least 18 years old and have a full clean driving licence.

Your time

Ideally 6 – 12 months. Please enquire if you are interested but unsure how long you can commit. Although this is a full-time position, we anticipate the need to be flexible to allow volunteers to seek part time work or claim financial support to fund this position if needed.

What’s in it for you

This is a fantastic opportunity to work at the biggest and best example of a natural floodplain in Britain. Insh Marshes reserve is flanked by the stunning Cairngorm and Monadhliath mountain ranges and is home to a fantastic array of wildlife, including breeding waders, goldeneye, spotted crake and osprey. It is nationally important for its floodplain habitats, is a SSSI, SAC, SPA and Ramsar, sits within the Cairngorms National Park and supports one of the most important populations of breeding waders in mainland UK as part of the incredible Badenoch and Strathspey floodplain. Insh Marshes is part of Cairngorms Connect, our long-term vision is to reconnect the rivers with the floodplain, we have a number of ambitious projects planned for the coming years which will transform the reserve.

During your stay, you will become a member of the reserve management team with free accommodation. You will contribute to practical conservation and learn about running and managing a nature reserve. This is an excellent chance to make a genuine contribution to wildlife conservation. Opportunities for long-term volunteers to manage volunteers and lead their own work projects will be provided. Long-term placements at Insh Marshes are an excellent opportunity for those wishing to pursue a career in conservation and reserve management. Appropriate support, training and career development will be provided depending on the length of placement. You will gain a valuable insight into the workings of Europe's largest conservation charity.

This role will be centered around carrying out practical land management work - please note, this work can be strenuous, involve walking across rough terrain and working outdoors in all weathers. Tasks include habitat and species management involving cutting and burning willow scrub on the marsh, invasive non-native plant species management, estate management including path maintenance and fencing, visitor facility up keep, bridge maintenance/building, stock handling skills with our herd of Koniks, leading on the reserve health and safety checks and recording, and survey and monitoring (during the spring). Depending on the skills of individual volunteers, this includes woodland and marshland bird surveys.

For further information

Please contact the warden, Cat Owen-Pam

E-mail : Catherine.Owen-Pam@rspb.org.uk

Tel: 01540661518