Assistant Warden – Lower Lough Erne

Have you got experience of practical habitat management, and do you want to make a
difference to the wildlife of Lower Lough Erne, co Fermanagh? If so, apply to join our
team!

The Reserve is made up 47 islands on Lower Lough Erne, the UK’s second largest freshwater lake.
It supports an incredible array of wildlife ranging from breeding waders such as curlew and
lapwing to red squirrels, Irish hares and priority invertebrate species. You will join the
Lower Lough Erne reserve team in looking after a range of habitats, including wet grassland
supporting high numbers of breeding waders, and will assist with a variety of tasks, such as
habitat management, livestock operations and monitoring of priority species. The successful
candidate will be trained to use the ‘cot’ – a specially designed boat used to move livestock
and equipment around the islands that make up the reserve. You will assist with the day to day
implementation of the management plan for the reserves and to assist with projects off site as
required.

What we need from you:

You will be part of a small but highly motivated team of staff and volunteers and will be
involved in the following tasks:

• Habitat management to ensure conservation targets are being met.
• Maintenance of machinery to ensure they are operating safely and efficiently.
• Monitoring of key species and habitats to enable performance to be managed and targets for
  improvements to be set.
• Mapping, gathering and managing electronic data to ensure data and maps are stored and can be
  used and assessed by others.
• Maintaining high standards of health and safety to minimise risk to the RSPB and to ensure
  understanding and compliance of health and safety while undertaking duties.
• Assisting at events to generate income.
• General administration and report writing associated with all of the above to ensure admin
  and reports are up to date and systematically organised.

 Essential skills include:

• You will have an aptitude for gaining knowledge and acquiring new skills
• Experience of boats and working on water, or motivation to learn these skills
• Good ecological/general natural history knowledge
• You will have knowledge and experience of practical habitat and estate management.
• You will have a proven track record of working alone and working within a varied team.
• Reasonable birdwatching knowledge and experience of biological surveys
• Be willing to assist with predator control to benefit ground nesting birds
• Full driving licence.

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Lantra or equivalent qualification in using equipment such as brushcutter and tractor, PA1/6
  pesticides.
• Knowledge of servicing and maintaining vehicles, machinery, tools and equipment to agreed
  standards.
• Experience of staff or volunteer recruitment and line management.
• Implementing and updating health and safety records and assessments.

Additional information:

• This role will involve lone working and working in remote locations.
• This role will require occasional weekend, early morning and evening working so will need
  someone who is able to be flexible.

This is a Permanent Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week. 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from w/c 22nd April
2024. For further information please contact [email protected]

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including
evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels
supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world
richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of
colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate,
sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled,
we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any
additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have
a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.