Seasonal Seabird Assistant – Coquet Island x2

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 two seasonal field workers to join the team on the island this season for 3
months in the peak of the breeding season to help in reserve monitoring and management.
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 assist in the day to day running of the Coquet Island operation by 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.

 Main Duties:

• Assist with the collection and recording of biological data relating to the reserve, and
  the main seabird assemblage on the island, including Roseate Tern
• Productivity and population counts
• Ring reading of Roseate, Sandwich, Common and Arctic Tern rings in the field
• Monitoring presence of HPAI on the island and if present working while wearing full PPE
  equipment
• Biosecurity monitoring
• Help with ringing of terns and other seabird species as required
• Basic site management and maintenance tasks as required for the reserve
• Contribution to the end of management and monitoring reports
• Help island colleagues maintain safe and healthy working practices on the reserve
• Colony site protection to prevent human disturbance and predation
• Large gull management including monitoring and scaring using devices such as Aerolaser.
• Help ensure the accommodation is maintained in a clean and tidy state
• Help maintain all equipment and tools in safe and working order

Other Duties:

• To assist with other site related tasks as required by the site warden
• Occasional management of reserve and residential volunteers

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Passionate about birds & wildlife
• Happy to live and work in a small team on a remote island location
• Happy to work outside in all weathers
• Flexible approach to working hours which could involve some earlier morning starts or
  occasional evening shifts
• Meticulous and thorough in data collection & recording

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Have excellent bird identification skills, including terns
• Have experience of biological data collection 
• Be practically minded & able to problem solve
• Have previous experience of seabird colonies
• Have experience of managing health & safety issues
• Have basic IT skills including Microsoft Office

Additional information & working arrangements

These are 3.5-month fixed term contracts, full time for 37.5 hours per week with accommodation
provided for your time on the island. No accommodation is available on the mainland, however we
may be able to assist in finding accommodation. Travel to and from the island is subject to
tides, weather and sea state, therefore sometimes unpredictable.

We are looking to conduct interviews for these posts from 26th February 2024.
For further information please contact: Stephen Westerberg, Coquet Island Site Manager, email:
[email protected] 

Please note that, as we are actively recruiting for this role, we reserve the right to close
this vacancy once sufficient applications have been received.

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.

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.

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