Reserve Warden, Coquet Island

Coquet Island off the Northumberland coast is a seabird paradise. The island is home to a vast
assemblage of breeding seabirds including tens of thousands of Puffins, Eiders and large
colonies of Arctic, Common, Sandwich and Roseate Terns, the last species being the most
important UK colony and of global importance for this charismatic seabird.

We are looking for a warden to join the team on the island this season for 6 months to prepare
the island for the breeding season and to manage the reserve monitoring and infrastructure.
Accommodation will be provided during the working week in the island lighthouse.

The ideal candidate will be a wildlife enthusiast, self-motivated, meticulous in data
collection, and happy to work outside in all weathers on an isolated island location in a small
team.

Key aspects of the role:

To manage the day to day running of the Coquet Island operation, being part of the reserve team
in the implementation of site management and monitoring of a range of seabird species and
efficient running of Coquet Island Reserve off the Northumberland coast.

What we need from you:

Essential knowledge, skills and experience:

• You will have knowledge and experience of practical habitat and estate management.
• You will have a proven track record of completing work alone and working within
  a varied team.
• Comfortable managing volunteers from a range of backgrounds.
• Birding knowledge and experience of biological surveys, particularly nest recording and
  bird ring reading.
• Be willing to assist with predator control to benefit ground nesting birds.
• Knowledge and experience of dealing with an outbreak of HPAI.
• You will have have a full, manual driving licence that is valid in the UK.

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Lantra or equivalent qualification in using equipment such as brushcutter and tractor,
  PA1/6 pesticides.
• Previous experience of working on Coquet Island.
• 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 Fixed-Term role for 6 months, Full-Time for 37.5 hours per week. 

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 26 February 2024.
For further information please contact Stephen Westerberg – [email protected].

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.

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.