Residential on Reserve (More than 4 weeks) (All Rounder Residential Volunteer - Bempton Cliffs)

When: Mid-March 2024 onwards

Commitment: 4 months minimum, preferably 6 months

Why We Want You:

Bempton Cliffs is the largest mainland gannetry in England and the most accessible seabird colony in Europe. With over 250,000 breeding seabirds returning each year to nest on the 400-foot-high dramatic cliffs, it’s a pretty spectacular place. There is a fantastic diversity of habitat here which provides homes to a wealth of species throughout the year, including Short-eared Owls, Barn Owls, Tree Sparrows, Whales, and Dolphins. It is also an incredible place to witness migration in action!

We are looking for a passionate, hands-on individual who is looking to gain a well-rounded experience working on a flagship RSPB Reserve. Working with a combination of the Visitor Experience (3 days), Warden and Seabird Monitoring (2 days) teams, you will develop your people engagement, practical and creative skill sets and support the day to day running of the reserve – for both people and wildlife.

What’s In It For You:

This is a great chance to gain experience and insight in to the running of a highly popular and unique nature reserve. Working alongside the conservation team, you will be supporting the practical management on the reserve, monitoring the productivity of our seabirds and supporting with the BTO Nestbox Monitoring Scheme. You will also gain brushcutter and ATV licenses with the reserve team. You will receive training to lead on events and activities, engage and promote Bempton Cliffs through Social Media and support the overall visitor operation. This is an invaluable opportunity which will provide you with well-rounded experience of people engagement, management of a visitor operation and hands on conservation experience whilst working with a dedicated team of RSPB staff and volunteers.

Shared accommodation is provided in the small village of Bempton, one mile from the reserve.

Requirements:

Good people and communication skills and an approachable personality are essential for this role, as is the ability to work as part of a small team. You will also be adaptable, self-motivated and ready and willing to turn your hand to the multitude of different tasks that are required on a nature reserve.

Specialist knowledge is not necessary, but an enthusiasm for wildlife and an interest in conservation is. You must be happy working outdoors in all weathers and confident talking to visitors. This role will include some manual handling so may be physically demanding.

You must be aged 18 and a full driving licence is essential (weekend working is an essential part of the role but time off will be given during the week, as well as at least one full weekend off a month).

Notes:

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

For more information please contact Poppy Rummery, Visitor Experience Officer:

poppy.rummery@rspb.org.uk