Volunteer Coordinator (Cumbria Beach Nesting Bird Volunteer Coordinator)

Every summer, beach nesting birds return to the UK to breed. Unfortunately, these birds are suffering from a population decline. This decline is partly due to their struggles during the breeding season as they are not able to successfully raise chicks to fledging age. The two main reasons for nest failure are human disturbance and nest predation.

This project needs volunteers which will monitor the nests and see how the birds are doing, and volunteers who will engage with the public and raise awareness of these birds. These volunteers are spread across the Cumbrian coast and need a point of contact that can answer their queries and organise them.

The volunteer coordinator is an important role as you will be responsible for providing support that the field volunteers need. You will be helping to carry out a variety of administrative roles such as advertising for volunteers, organising rota, entering data. With some potential opportunity to assist in the field with surveys and putting up protection measures.

What will you be doing?

Volunteer Coordinators have a wide range of tasks but tasks include:

• Advertise for new volunteers via social media, RSPB website, flyers
• Set up interviews with potential volunteers
• Assist in training new volunteers
• Be the first point of contact for volunteers, help them with their queries, provide them support
• Organise the volunteer rota and coordinate volunteers in the field
• Process and enter survey data from volunteers
• Opportunities to carry out bird surveys, work with trail cameras, put up protection measures

What will you get out of it?

• Be part of a growing project to protect beach nesting birds in Cumbria
• Gain valuable experience working for a conservation charity
• Grow your network, meet like-minded people
• Chance to develop skills useful in the conservation sector

What skills/experience do you need?

• Computer skills
• Good organisational skills and strong attention to detail
• Good people skills, friendly and approachable
• Inspirational team leader
• Excellent record keeper
• Able to work from home
• Flexibility during the peak season (April-August)

This is a chance to take part in a new RSPB project and help make a difference for beach nesting birds in Cumbria. If you are interested in helping these birds, we would love to hear from you! To find out more about the role, please contact the Beach Nesting Bird Project Officer, Steph Leow – steph.leow@rspb.org.uk

You can also check out our other available roles on the Cumbrian Beach Nesting Bird team:

• Public Engagement volunteer
• Nest Monitoring volunteer