Volunteer Coordinator, Curlew Recovery - North Wales

Curlews are under threat, with predicted extinction in Wales by 2033 without coordinated conservation action. Over the last four years, the ‘The Curlews in Crisis’ EU LIFE funded project has been delivered in Wales, based in the Ysbyty Ifan and Hiraethog Important Curlew Areas (ICA). Although this project is coming to an end, continued funding will allow ongoing curlew conservation work in Wales, essential to this species survival.

In order to give curlew the best chance of breeding successfully, our team surveys and monitors active nests around our sites from late-February, and we put up reactive fencing to protect these nests until the chicks can fledge safely. As a Volunteer Coordinator, you will help us organise and coordinate some of this work while constantly supported by the RSPB Project Officer. The Volunteer Coordinator will be a key member of the curlew species recovery team in Wales.

What you will be doing:

• Helping to coordinate our curlew volunteer team in Ysbyty Ifan and Hiraethog.
• Helping to organise breeding wader surveys (pre- and mid-season territory and Brown & Shepherd surveys).
• Processing and entering survey data into monitoring apps and training other volunteers to use these apps (with the help of the Project Officer).
• Coordinating nest fencing with volunteers.
• Recruiting new volunteers and organising thank-you events.

What’s in it for you:

• This role is a fantastic opportunity to join a dedicated and enthusiastic team trying to save some of the most vulnerable bird species in the country. You will be making a genuine contribution to nature conservation, so if that is your motivation, this role will be very satisfying.
• We will provide you with training to help you learn new skills and make sure you are prepared for the role, as well as personal development opportunities.
• You will be meeting like-minded people in the team and wider community.
• This role is flexible for most of the year, meaning you can work around your other commitments.
• You will learn all about how the RSPB works and gain experience working for an environmental charity.
• You will gain a better understanding of wader ecology and hands on experience of monitoring work.

The skills you will need:

Full training can be provided for most aspects of the role; however some key skills include:

• A keen interest in wader conservation.
• Willingness to learn new skills.
• Adaptable to changing conditions and priorities.
• Excellent communication skills, friendly and approachable.
• Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Computer literacy.

Welsh language skills are desirable but not essential.

This role can be home-based but occasional site visits will be required.

This is your chance to be part of a team delivering urgent actions for one of the highest species recovery priorities in UK nature conservation today!