Assistant Warden

This is a fantastic opportunity to join the Otmoor team as Assistant Warden, managing an incredibly important inland wet grassland and reedbed reserve and the premier wildlife site in Oxfordshire. 

The reserve is a complex mix of habitats and is a perfect development reserve for people wanting to take that next career step in conservation. The reserve is an exciting and varied mosaic of habitats with wildlife spectacles throughout the year with over 150 pairs of breeding waders nesting on site in spring, black and brown hairstreak butterflies on the wing through the summer and over 25,000 birds including Golden Plover, Lapwing, Pintail and Wigeon through the winter.

This opportunity allows the successful candidate to develop practical skills, lead volunteers through practical work and surveys and become a key member of a passionate and committed team. You will be given plenty of opportunities to progress in your conservation career, taking on challenging and rewarding projects while helping the reserve progress and develop further for nature.

What's the role about?

We are looking for a passionate and dynamic person to play a key role in delivering habitat management work for breeding waders including Lapwing, Redshank, Snipe and Curlew, carry out a range of tasks including vegetation and hydrological management, path work, hide and fence maintenance and electric fencing. You will be responsible for using a range of equipment from brushcutters and chainsaws to seed harvesters and whacker plates, as well as leading on the servicing of reserve machinery and vehicles including tractors pickups and ATVs.

The role is key in maintaining visitor facilities and reserve infrastructure, with good record keeping and attention to detail you will be closely involved in ensuring key areas are well kept and meet all H&S and cross compliance requirements.

The role plays a vital part of a complex biological recording programme for the reserve from wader nest monitoring and breeding birds surveys to WeBS counts and numerous other taxa surveying. Interest in wildlife, particularly birds, is key as the successful applicant will be completing a range of wildlife survey and monitoring across the reserve both as part of knowledgeable groups but also as a lone surveyor.

What we need from you:

Essential qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Knowledge and experience of practical habitat management and their key species.
• Experience of estate and infrastructure management.
• Experience of operation, maintenance and servicing of a variety of machinery, tools and equipment.
• Lantra or equivalent qualifications in ATV, chainsaw, tractor driving, brushcutter, pesticides (PA1 and PA2) and trailer driving.
• Relevant experience of Microsoft Office packages including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• A keen eye for problem solving and coming up with well thought through practical solutions.
• Experience of developing and implementing work plans.
• A proven track record of working alone and working within varied teams.
• GCSE Mathematics and English or equivalent.
• Full driving licence valid for use in the UK.

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Livestock management.
• The ability to communicate verbally with a wide range of audiences.
• Experience in a range of biological recording.
• Implementing and updating health and safety records and assessments.
• Organising and running events.

 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.

This is a Permanent role for 37.5 hours per week. 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 10th September 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.