Warden - Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to help plan and deliver the Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay reserves management plan, based at RSPB Leighton Moss in the heart of the beautiful Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape. The reserves comprise around 360ha of priority habitats, supporting some of the UK’s scarcest birds, butterflies and plants, including reedbed, saltmarsh, freshwater lagoons, wet grassland, calcareous grassland, limestone scrub and woodland. Additionally, the wider reserve area includes some 2600ha of intertidal mud. The reserves encompass seven sites each unique in its habitat, species and management requirements.

You’ll be part of a team responsible for the effective day to day running of the reserve to deliver a reserve rich in nature. This is an exceptionally varied role, including managing the habitats and estate infrastructure, carrying out species and habitat monitoring, predator and deer impact and management, machinery maintenance, leading on health, safety and the environment, and delivering small-medium projects. You will work with everyone from volunteers, to contractors, to graziers and local landowners.

Leighton Moss is a SSSI nature reserve which attracts over 100,000 visitors each year, so the post holder must have a keen eye for detail in ensuring that this reserve delivers exceptional standards of nature conservation whilst keeping the visitor experience in mind. They will be expected to be able to work both independently and as part of a team of staff and volunteers to deliver our ambitious annual work programme. Therefore, as well as a wide set of practical skills, the post holder will also need to be a good team worker with excellent communication, organisational and inter-personal skills, as well as being able to adapt and effectively prioritise the varied workload.

This post is for someone who enjoys working outside in all conditions within a wonderful team of volunteers and staff, located in one of the country’s most beautiful landscapes.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience include:

• Ecological knowledge and experience to deliver a diverse range of habitat requirements for key species.
• Experience in land management, knowledge of obligations and compliance requirements (e.g. agricultural and environmental legislation).
• Knowledge of health, safety and environment applying to site management.
• Excellent communication skills; experience of working with a diverse team of staff and volunteers, visitors, contractors and stakeholders.
• Biological monitoring experience, record keeping and data management to deliver site objectives.
• Estate management skills and experience including infrastructure maintenance, site safety checks, machinery operations, equipment servicing experience (e.g. Lantra or equivalent qualifications & experience in using equipment such as chainsaw and tractor).
• Organisational skills including time management, prioritisation and problem solving.
• Ability to blend the delivery of ecological objectives with exceptional visitor experience.

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• IT skills including the use of Microsoft 365 and mapping skills (e.g. GIS).
• Experience of delivering small to medium sized projects.
• Be willing to assist with predator and deer control to benefit key species.
• Experience of volunteer recruitment and line management.
• Knowledge of using grazing/livestock to deliver objectives.

Additional information:

• A full, manual drivers licence that is valid in the UK is essential to this role.
• 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, full-time role for 37.5 hours per week. 

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