Residential on Reserve (More than 4 weeks) (3 months Spring/Summer student Wardening Placement- RSPB Dee Estuary)

Placement Runs for three months between April and August, strong preference for a start date in Late April or May, the latest start date being the 3rd of June.

All applicants must be over the age of 18 and hold a full clean driver's license.

Key Tasks:

Assist Warden staff with Key reserve management:

-Develop and Manage your own water vole survey project building on surveys carried out in 2023.

-carry out the role of Assistant little tern warden, to survey little terns, maintain electric fences, and manage volunteers.

-Habitat management: Wet grassland, Reedbed, Saltmarsh.

• Bird monitoring: Productivity surveys, Breeding Bird surveys.

• Biological monitoring: other fauna and flora

• Volunteer management including work parties

• Estate work- A variety of infrastructure repair tasks.

• Health and safety recording

• Drive company vehicles

Key Skills

• Surveying and research experience

• Good practical aptitude

• Experience in use of hand tools

• Good ecological knowledge

• Conscientious eye for detail

• Basic Bird ID skills

• Leadership ability

• Friendly, outgoing personality

• Strong belief in RSPB’s mission

Why We Want You:

The Dee Estuary is one of the RSPB’s largest and most up and coming reserves; after modest beginnings over 40 years ago, in the past decade, we have flourished with the development of Burton Mere Wetlands where more than 200 pairs of breeding waders thrive and nearly 50,000 annual visitors come to enjoy the rich and varied wildlife. With satellite sites at Parkgate, Point of Ayr and Woolston Eyes to also manage, the small staff team need support from residential volunteers in order to keep on top of everything and be able to continually improve the reserve for both wildlife and visitors. Our residential volunteers are key members of the reserve team.

What’s In It For you:

If you’re seeking a great way to spend your summer break and kick start your career in conservation, this placement is perfect for you. You will gain priceless experience of reserve management and, you get to live a in well-equipped accommodation in the heart of a truly special nature reserve with egrets out of the living room window, a badger hide on your doorstep and boasting some of the best sunsets in the country.

We will go above and beyond during your time with us to get you job ready and equip you with the skills you need to secure your first job in conservation.

Appropriate training will be provided and expenses available

-LANTRA Brush cutter/Strimmer training ticket

-Extensive structured in-house training

-A focus on independent self-lead work getting you job ready.

-Career support, interview practice and advice, support with applications.

-Free accommodation.

A great start to your career in the conservation sector, a high success rate in previous residential volunteers securing full-time paid work in the conservation sector.

Notes

The RSPB is the UK charity working to secure a healthy environment for birds and wildlife, helping to create a better world for all of us. We belong to BirdLife International, the global partnership of bird conservation organisations. Your time and skills could make a real difference to the work of the RSPB and it would be great if you could join us.