Assistant Warden – Dearne Valley

The RSPB is seeking an Assistant Warden for a one-year contract at Dearne Valley, Barnsley, UK. The role involves habitat management, species surveys, data recording, and volunteer supervision. Essential skills include practical habitat management experience and birdwatching knowledge. On-site accommodation is available, and the position may require flexible hours. Salary ranges from £26,379 to £28,319 per annum with benefits including a pension and annual leave.
Reference: JAN20256144

Expiry date: 23:59, Mon, 10th Mar 2025

Location: Dearne Valley – Old Moor

Salary: £26,379.00 – £28,319.00 Per Annum

Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days’ Annual LeaveDuration:12 months

Attachments: RSPBCandidateGuidanceNotes-2025.pdf

The RSPB Dearne Valley are looking for an Assistant Warden to join our reserves team on a one year contract and help us deliver for wildlife across lower Dearne Valley. On site accommodation is available.

RSPB in Dearne operates across the lower Dearne Barnsley South Yorkshire area, managing seven sites, from lowland wet grassland, reedbed, fen, islands of nesting gulls and hay meadows. The sites are SSSI and in higher tier stewardship agreement.

Across reserves sites, key species include breeding waders – Lapwing, Redshank, Snipe and Avocet; in the reedbed bredding Bittern, Marsh Harrier and Bearded Tit. Nesting gulls include Mediterranean Gull. The meadows hold orchids including green-winged and bee orchid as well as adder tongue fern and populations of dingy skipper.

Key activities will include:
• Undertaking species and habitat surveys on sites.
• Mapping, gathering and storing data and ensuring records are kept correctly.
• Carrying out maintenance checks/implementing repairs to infrastructure and machinery.
• Carrying out habitat management work/overseeing contractors.
• Contributing to report writing.
• Konik pony & other livestock welfare.
• Management and supervision of volunteers.
• Predator control – Mink.

What we need from you

Essential skills include:
• You will have knowledge and experience of practical habitat and estate management.
• You will have a proven track record of working of completing work alone and working within a varied team.
• Comfortable managing volunteers from a range of backgrounds.
• Reasonable birdwatching knowledge and experience of biological surveys.
• Be willing to assist with predator control to benefit ground nesting birds.
• A full, manual driving licence that is valid in the UK.
• Ability to upkeep visitor infrastructure including hides paths bridges and playground.

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:
• Lantra or equivalent qualification in using equipment such as brush cutter, tractor and pesticide use PA6w.
• First aid at work.
• Knowledge of servicing and maintaining vehicles (including tractor), machinery, tools and equipment to agreed standards.
• Experience of volunteer recruitment and line management.
• Implementing and updating health and safety records and assessments.
• Experience of fencing, including electric fence and predator fences.

Additional information
• This role will involve lone working.
• This role will require occasional weekend, early morning and evening working so will need someone who is able to be flexible.
• On site accommodation is available.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 19 March 2025. For further information please contact dave.waddington@rspb.org.uk.

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.

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