RSPB Team Member (RSPB Team Member (Long-term Conservation Volunteer Placement - Rainham Marshes and Essex))

We are looking for a motivated individual to join our team for a part-time, 6-month conservation volunteer placement. You will work alongside our warden team at Rainham Marshes and throughout Essex, helping to deliver essential conservation work and make a real difference for wildlife.

Delivering our reserve work programme over the spring and summer will provide many chances to develop your knowledge of managing habitats for wildlife conservation as well a large variety of opportunities to develop your practical skills. You will gain first-hand experience of working in a range of habitats that include lowland wet grassland, grazing marsh, reedbed, scrub grassland and woodland.

You will be helping the team to collect and analyse data throughout the survey season, which involves monitoring a wide range of wildlife. You will be working outdoors almost every day of your placement on RSPB reserves along the beautiful Thames Estuary landscape, using your developing practical skills to achieve essential habitat and estate management targets. Along with giving you as much hands-on experience as possible, this placement is also designed to propel you into your first conservation career.

What will this placement provide?

Experience of Habitat Management: Learn and carry out best practices for maintaining wet grasslands, enhancing reedbeds, and managing scrub. You will be supporting bird species such as Lapwing, Avocet, and Redshank, and help rare insects like the Shrill Carder Bumblebee.

Survey Skills: Get hands-on experience conducting surveys of birds, bees, butterflies, reptiles, and water voles throughout the survey season.

GIS Training: Use our internal GIS software to create maps and record biological data.

Gain Qualifications: Attend training sessions and earn certifications like First Aid at Work and Brushcutter training.

Machinery Use: Learn to safely operate and maintain various equipment and machinery.

Knowledge of Nature Reserve Management: Understand the broader context of managing reserves, including water level management, livestock grazing, and compliance with environmental schemes.

Contributing to a productive team: Collaborate with our site team on estate management tasks, such as building fencing. You will also get to work with, and lead, other volunteers on practical tasks.

Details:

Start Date: From week commencing 24/03/2025 , in position by early April latest.

**Duration: 6 months ** **Work Schedule: **Flexible 3 days per week (7.5 hours/day, Monday to Friday) Exact days and hours will be decided on an individual basis subject to being offered the role.

**Travel Expenses: **There is a budget available for subsidising travel costs up to a reasonable distance if required, which will be decided on an individual basis subject to being offered the role

What do we need from you?

This is a part-time, voluntary position and you must be over 18.

A full, clean UK Driver’s License is essential to drive our fleet vehicles (no need for your own car, as our office has good public transport links).

Enthusiasm and passion for the natural world and a desire to succeed in a career in the field of conservation

Prepared to take on physical manual labour and work outdoors in all weather conditions

Ability to work well in a team, communicate effectively, and take responsibility for independent tasks.

This is an entry level role, and all training will be given so no previous experience is necessary, however some knowledge of wildlife or ecology is useful.

What's In It For You?

We will support your career development with a personal development plan, regular coaching, and opportunities to practice interview techniques and draft job applications.

You will receive practical training and formal qualifications, including First Aid at Work and Brushcutter training.

We will provide you with a branded uniform, wet-weather gear, and personal protective equipment for the duration of your placement.

This project is funded by the Government's Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.

How to apply?

The online application form has a question in the ‘About You’ section asking why you have applied for the role. Please complete this like you would a covering letter, for example letting us know a bit about you and why you would make a good candidate. We look forward to receiving your application. Application deadline: Please submit your application by Monday 10th March 2025 to be considered for this role.

Thank you for reading this role description. Clicking on ‘more about this role’ and the downloadable pdf will give a generic role profile for this opportunity and may not be an exact fit to the role described above. Please only refer to the above role description. For any role related enquires, please do not hesitate to get in touch.