Residential on Reserve (More than 4 weeks) (Visitor Experience Placement at RSPB Loch Lomond)

RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond is a flagship site for nature conservation and visitor experience in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

This role will focus on the visitor experience aspects of reserve work and you’ll regularly be in and around the ‘nature hub’, inspiring visitors and growing support for the RSPB. You’ll have the opportunity to write creatively, taking a lead on social media and you’ll help plan, organise and deliver events, such as, Wild Food Foraging, Osprey Watch, Bat Nights, and Goose walks depending on the time of year. Our pond creature dipping area is popular during the summer and is a great place to inspire families about nature.

You'll have the opportunity to learn about habitat management and monitor some of the fantastic wildlife found here.

The reserve covers a range of habitats including grassland, woodland, and bog/fen and supports a vast range of species such as Osprey, Beaver, Redstart, and the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly. During your stay, you will live on the reserve in a stunning location and you will be an integral part of the reserve team.

As well as setting up a personal development plan to ensure you get the most out of your time here, we can provide relevant training in volunteer management, practical skills, wildlife interpretation, visitor experience, social media and health and safety. Previous volunteers have gone on to gain employment in the conservation sector and this is something that we as a team pride ourselves on.

This is a full-time residential volunteering position, however, it can be a four day a week position if the candidate requires a part time job alongside the volunteering placement.

When Exact start dates are flexible. Currently recruiting for April 2025 start. Commitment: 6 months ideally (3 month minimum)

What you will be doing

• Providing an excellent experience to all visitors - welcoming, inspiring and knowledgeable
• Working with and encouraging a team of fantastic volunteers
• Planning and delivering family nature exploring activities
• Taking on the daily 'nature hub' duties helping to keep everything clean, tidy and welcoming
• Writing creatively for the reserve blog and social media including Twitter and Facebook
• Monitoring wildlife
• Helping to promote positive visitor behaviour across the reserve to protect the wildlife found here

What’s in it for you

• Develop essential skills for a future job in conservation
• Be an integral part of a small reserve team
• Accommodation on site, providing a truly immersive volunteering experience
• You will have the opportunity to work and live in a beautiful wildlife-rich setting, located within the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Nature Reserve.

Requirements

• 18+
• Driving licence preferable but not essential
• We need a flexible volunteer, who is keen to assist with all areas of the work, with an enthusiasm for wildlife and passion for the RSPB's work.
• Keen to share your enthusiasm for nature with visitors
• Enthusiasm to learn a wide range of skills related to working on a nature reserve
• Comfortable working outside in all weather conditions
• Happy to work alone and also as part of a team
• Willingness to work a flexible rota including evenings and most weekends
• Available for full six months
• Ability and desire to live in shared accommodation

Applications will be short listed and successful candidates will be invited to an interview.

Closing date 28th February. This opportunity will close early if a successful candidate is found.

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.