European Solidarity Corps (ESC) 2025 Nature Reserves Visitor Assistant

European Solidarity Corps (ESC) vacancy
Application Details 

Voluntary position covering accommodation, expenses and allowance

Dates:
1st position: January 2025 – October 2025 (10 months)
2nd – 4th position: September 2025 – June 2026 (10 months)

Position: Nature Reserves Visitor Assistant    
Number of positions: 4
Location: 57/28, Marina Court, Abate Rigord Street, Ta’ Xbiex, Malta

We are looking for new full-time volunteers to join our international team protecting birds and their habitats and inspiring and educating people about birds and nature in the Maltese Islands. Volunteers will be based in our offices and at our nature reserves in Malta. Those who have previously participated in a long-term Erasmus+ European Voluntary Service (EVS) scheme or long-term Erasmus+ Volunteering scheme are not eligible to apply for these positions.

Are you:

• Aged 18-30
• A citizen of one of the programme or partner countries
• Outgoing, friendly, keen to meet new people, socialise, and experience a different culture
• Interested in improving bird, flora and other taxa identification skills
• Interested in inspiring and educating people about birds and the natural world
• Willing to develop administration, time management, numeracy, and interpersonal skills
• Willing to learn and having an adaptable approach in line with the needs of a charitable organisation’s structure including working flexible and occasional long hours, which could include weekends and public holidays.

The European Solidarity Corps programme will provide you:

• Accommodation close to our offices in Ta’ Xbiex/in the northern part of the island close to our nature reserves, or with host families
• Utilities such as electricity, water, gas, and internet
• Reimbursement of the flight and other transport costs (bus, train, metro) to/from Malta, limited according to distance
• €380 monthly allowance
• Private HEALTH insurance provided by Henner

Description of duties: 

Nature Reserves Visitor Assistant

In this role you will assist in the opening of the reserves to the public, working and ensuring visitors enjoy a pleasant experience. The chosen applicants will work at our nature reserves (Għadira, Simar, Foresta 2000 and Salina) reporting to the Site Warden and Head of Land Management. Training on the history of the sites and the flora and fauna of the reserves will be provided. Duties will include:

• Assisting in opening BirdLife Malta’s nature reserves to the public in the afternoon/evening, including on weekends.
• Setting up the display within the reception centre at the reserves
• Preparing the nature shop at the reserves
• Setting up binoculars before the reserve opening hours
• Greeting visitors at the reserves and giving a basic explanation about the nature reserve, its history, flora and fauna
• Managing a small shop and promoting sales whilst encouraging membership to BirdLife Malta
• Compiling visitor statistics and gathering feedback from visitors
• Participating in regular events held at the nature reserve with the aim of educating visitors towards more environmental appreciation.
• Taking visitors around the reserve, which could entail walking on uneven terrain even during summer.
• Assisting in research work being carried out at the nature reserves.
• Helping with inputting data.

Should the reserves be closed to the public for certain periods, especially the summer months, the applicants are expected to report at the nature reserves in order to assist the managing warden in the implementation of the work plan for the site. Such work has a physical aspect relating to the upgrade and maintenance of the habitat, as well as an element of research with ongoing studies on the flora and fauna of the sites.

Applications close on Saturday 25th January 2025 at 23:55 GMT. Zoom/Skype interviews will take place shortly afterwards. Please note that incomplete and/or late applications will not be taken into consideration.