Assistant Warden

The RSPB is hiring an Assistant Warden for a fixed-term position at Rainham Marshes, Gillingham, UK, with a salary of £26,379 - £28,319 per annum. The role involves habitat management, ecological surveys, and volunteer coordination to support nature conservation efforts. Essential skills include habitat management knowledge and birdwatching experience. The position requires full-time commitment until January 2026 and may involve weekend and evening work.
Assistant Warden – (Fixed Term)

Reference:

JAN20257266

Expiry date:

02:59, Sat, 8th Mar 2025

Location:

Purfleet – Rainham Marshes

Salary:

£26,379.00 – £28,319.00 Per Annum

Benefits:

Pension, Life Assurance and Annual Leave

Duration:

Until end of January 2026

Attachments:

CandidateGuidanceNotes2023.pdf

Are you passionate about Nature Conservation? As Assistant Warden at Rainham Marshes, you’ll be at the forefront of our conservation efforts, participating in a variety of practical activities that drive positive change

Everyday Learning: An ex-Military firing range, Rainham Marshes an area of over 400 hectares has become a mosaic of habitats, lowland wet grassland, Reedbed, woodland and rough grassland. As part of the reserve warden team you will develop your skills in identifying species, conducting ecological surveys, and understanding how all these aspects relate to the reserve management plan and wider vision for the site.

Habitat Creation and Maintenance: Roll up your sleeves and work alongside our experienced team to create and enhance habitats for key species, including Lapwing, Redshank, Water Voles and Shrill Carder Bees. Carry out habitat management tasks such as trail and infrastructure maintenance, Reedbed cutting and clearance of rank vegetation.

Inspire and Connect: Take charge of organising and leading reserve work parties, where you will motivate and inspire participants from all backgrounds to actively contribute to conservation efforts. Manage long term volunteers helping them develop their skills in Nature conservation and habitat management.

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 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
• Full driving licence or ability to access remote locations without public transport.

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience and additional information:
• Lantra or equivalent qualification in using equipment such as brushcutter and tractor, PA1/6 pesticides.
• 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.
• This role will require occasional weekend, early morning and evening working and Lone working.

This is a Fixed-Term, Full-Time role covering a secondment for 37.5 hours per week until the end of January 2026.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 13th March. For further information please contact phil.hutton@rspb.org.uk.

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As part of this application process you will be asked to upload a 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.

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