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 latter species being the most important UK colony with global importance for this charismatic seabird.

We are looking for a seasonal assistant warden to join the team on the island this season for 4 months in the peak of the breeding season to help in reserve monitoring and management. Accommodation will be provided 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.

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:

• Colony site protection to prevent human disturbance and predation
• 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
• Large gull management including monitoring and scaring using devices such as Aerolaser
• Biosecurity monitoring
• Help with ringing of terns and other seabird species as required
• Ring reading of Roseate and Sandwich Tern rings in the field
• Basic site management and maintenance tasks as required for the reserve
• Contribution to the end of season gull management and monitoring reports
• Help island colleagues maintain safe and healthy working practices on the reserve
• Help ensure the accommodation is maintained in a clean and tidy state
• Help maintain all equipment and tools in safe and working order
• Day to day management of seabird assistants and deputise for the warden as required during their days off

Other Duties:

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

What we need from you:

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

 Additional information & working arrangements

This is a 4-month fixed term contract, full time for 37.5 hours per week with accommodation provided.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this post in late March 2023. For further information, please contact: David Morris, Area Manager, Cumbria and NE England: David.Morris@rspb.org.uk

As we are actively recruiting for this role we reserve the right to close this ad once sufficient applications have been received.

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.

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

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes at the top of this advert.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their whole selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people on nature's side and more diverse people. People of colour and disabled people are underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sectors. 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.