What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Project Officer - Chesil Little Tern Recovery Project position at RSPB?
Introduction
Little terns (Sternula albifrons) are one of the UK’s rarest and most threatened seabirds. The UK breeding population has experienced significant decline since the late1980s. The Chesil little tern colony is a recovery project that began in 2009. The colony is actively managed so that this RSPB priority species can have the best chance of breeding success here. This role will be based on Chesil Beach in Dorset with a work base at the Wild Chesil Centre which is operated by Dorset Wildlife Trust.
What's the role about?
We are looking for an enthusiastic, practical person, who is a good communicator to join our Conservation team as the of Assistant Project Officer (APO). A background in outdoor working or volunteer engagement will be an asset. The successful candidate will assist in looking after our growing little tern colony at Chesil Beach during spring and summer (April to September).
The APO Will Undertake The Following Key Activities
Tasks And Responsibilities
The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 24/03/2025. For further information please contact: julie.sims@rspb.org.uk
As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and 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.
The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. 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.
Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.
Little terns (Sternula albifrons) are one of the UK’s rarest and most threatened seabirds. The UK breeding population has experienced significant decline since the late1980s. The Chesil little tern colony is a recovery project that began in 2009. The colony is actively managed so that this RSPB priority species can have the best chance of breeding success here. This role will be based on Chesil Beach in Dorset with a work base at the Wild Chesil Centre which is operated by Dorset Wildlife Trust.
What's the role about?
We are looking for an enthusiastic, practical person, who is a good communicator to join our Conservation team as the of Assistant Project Officer (APO). A background in outdoor working or volunteer engagement will be an asset. The successful candidate will assist in looking after our growing little tern colony at Chesil Beach during spring and summer (April to September).
The APO Will Undertake The Following Key Activities
- Work with the Project Officer and volunteers to carry out protection of the Chesil Beach little tern colony, including: assisting with infrastructure management, wardening, monitoring, predator mitigation, volunteer management and public engagement.
- Maintain high standards of health and safety while monitoring the Little tern breeding colony and engage with members of the public to educate and to prevent disturbance to the nesting birds.
Tasks And Responsibilities
- Monitoring the colony from a short distance with optical equipment and recording productivity/population data (number of nests, bird behaviour, chick counts, etc)
- Assisting in the practical work of setting up the site and tearing down at end of season.
- Engaging the public about little terns and advising behaviours that will prevent disturbance of the birds from people recreating in the area.
- Undertaking nest management with the core staff and volunteer team.
- Assisting the project officer in volunteer management, training, and inductions.
- Managing the project’s social media accounts.
- Field data management and digital data entry.
- Infrastructure maintenance (particularly electric fencing) throughout season.
- This role will require regular weekend working. You will swap every other weekend with the Project Officer.
- Interest in and some knowledge of wildlife/conservation/little terns.
- Experience working alongside volunteers.
- Ability to speak diplomatically with members of the public.
- An understanding of the ecology and management of RSPB priority habitats in Dorset.
- Good written and verbal communication skills and competent use of Microsoft Office.
- Strong time management and organisational skills.
- Awareness of the importance of Health & Safety in an outdoor environment.
- Able to travel to project locations daily, including during anti-social hours.
- Working knowledge of UK little tern and other shorebird conservation.
- Bird ID skills (esp. seabirds/coastal species/raptors).
- Experience coordinating or managing volunteers.
- Experience in public engagement.
- Previous experience monitoring a seabird colony.
- Practical equipment management skills desirable (mainly with regard to electric fencing).
The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 24/03/2025. For further information please contact: julie.sims@rspb.org.uk
As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and 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.
The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. 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.
Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.
