Seasonal Field Officer – Plovers in Peril

Are you passionate about empowering communities to take action for nature? Would you revel in
the opportunity to be part of a project championing Ringed Plover and securing a future for
beach nesting birds in Norfolk?

We are looking for a dynamic and motivated individual with ecological experience and a
community centred approach, to fill a six-month seasonal post as Field Officer, assisting our
Project Officer in the delivery of Plovers in Peril – an exciting, grant-funded partnership
project that aims to reverse the rapid declines of Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher at a key
nesting site in North-West Norfolk, through a combination of on-the-ground species protection,
community empowerment and collaborative partnership working.

Plovers in Peril launched in 2021, in partnership with Wild Ken Hill, to establish vital
monitoring and species protection measures for beach nesting birds. With funding from the
Borough Council, we are now approaching our fourth season where we hope to continue to grow our
volunteer team, empower local communities, develop innovative opportunities for collaborative
working and generate a bigger voice for beach nesting birds in North-West Norfolk. Your work
will help more than just beach nesting birds – you will be working on a project that seeks to
cultivate positive change for all the special wildlife inhabiting this important coastal
habitat. Our vision is to create a place where wildlife and people thrive. 

As the Seasonal Field Officer, you will support all aspects of on-the-ground delivery
throughout the busy breeding season (March-August) in line with project objectives. You will be
based at RSPB Titchwell Marsh but will work predominantly at the project site – a 4km stretch
of shingle beach between Snettisham and Heacham on the edge of The Wash.

Key aspects of the role include:

• Monitoring Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher
• Maintenance of seasonal site fencing, signage and other infrastructure as required
• Carrying out predator monitoring duties including deploying and maintaining trail cameras
  on site and undertaking night shifts to record the impact of key predator species.
• Day to day engagement with beach users to inform, educate and raise awareness of beach
  nesting birds and their threats to empower positive behaviour change.
• Supporting a growing team of dedicated volunteers including assisting with inductions,
  organising volunteer events and on-site support as needed.
• Working to build relationships with new and existing partners and collaborators to empower
  change across communities and grow a bigger voice for beach nesting birds.
• Assisting with the development and delivery of focused project events to empower local
  communities.
• Assisting with project communications including creating content for blogs and social
  media.
• Recording and reporting appropriately any incidences of nest disturbance.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Proven experience monitoring breeding birds including carrying out nest monitoring.
• A practical aptitude with some experience installing and maintaining site infrastructure
  such as fencing and signage.
• Experience of predator monitoring including the use of trail cameras.
• Experience supporting and leading volunteer teams.
• Confident engaging with the public and able to show diplomacy and openness throughout each
  interaction, including those with opposing viewpoints.
• Experience working with communities and building strong connections with people.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal and able to engage audiences through
  a range of platforms (including social media).
• Understanding of safe working practices when working outdoors and a willingness to work in
  all weathers.
• Understanding of good record keeping and the accurate collection and handling of data.
• Competent IT user including use of Microsoft Office.
• Proven time management and organisational skills.
• Confident working independently using own initiative.
• A full driving licence that is valid in the UK and own transport

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience in nest monitoring for beach nesting bird species.
• Experience undertaking predator monitoring at sites with ground nesting birds.
• Ecological knowledge of coastal wildlife (coastal shingle communities)

Additional information:

This role will involve lone working and working in remote locations. Also occasional weekend,
early morning and night working.

This is a Fixed-Term, Full-Time role for 37.5hours 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 16 January 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.