Part-Time Assistant Warden

Join our team and help oversee two stunning nature reserves in West Cornwall. Hayle Estuary offers striking views and hosts wintering wetland birds, along with migratory waders, gulls, and terns in spring and autumn. Nearby, Marazion Marsh is a hidden gem with reedbeds that draw diverse warblers in summer. Leading local volunteers, you’ll play a vital role in conserving these special places for wildlife and people. Your friendly, dependable nature will help build strong relationships with colleagues and visitors, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

What's the role about?

You'll support the Site Manager in delivering the reserve management plan and ensuring smooth site operations. You'll lead habitat management with volunteers, maintain infrastructure, and oversee visitor facilities. Based at the RSPB Cornwall Reserves office in Penzance, your focus will be Hayle Estuary and Marazion Marsh. Success in this role relies on your ability to motivate volunteers and your dependable, efficient work style.

Key responsibilities:

• Create annual and seasonal work plans in line with reserve objectives.
• Manage site operations safely and ensure risk controls are in place.
• Serve as the main contact for the local community, building strong relationships.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• 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
• Full driving licence.
• Familiarity with machinery, tools, and equipment maintenance and operation.
• Competent in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Strong problem-solving abilities with practical solutions.
• Excellent verbal communication skills across various audiences.
• Experience in developing and implementing work plans.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage oneself and team accordingly.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in managing volunteer teams.

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Lantra or equivalent qualification in using equipment such as brushcutter and 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.

Additional information:

• This role will involve lone working and working in remote locations.
• This role will require occasional weekend, early morning and evening working so will need someone who is able to be flexible.
• Some standby and on-call work will be required.
• This role will require occasional travel within the UK.
• This role will require occasional overnight stays away from home.
• The RSPB works for a healthy environment for all and we therefore expect you to take action in accordance with our Environmental Policy and objectives.
• In the RSPB, volunteers are a major resource and make a vital contribution to the RSPB's aim to take action for the conservation of wild birds and the environment.  Employees are responsible for encouraging, developing and supporting volunteers in their work for the RSPB. Lead, motivate, train, and support a team of volunteers to achieve optimal results.

This is a Permanent, Part-Time role for 22.5 hours per week. These hours are annualised; the successful candidate will be required to work 2 days per week from March to August and 4 days per week from September to February.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 23 June 2025. 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.