Assistant Warden - Inishcreenry

What's the role about?

Due to success in applying for external funding, we are now able to recruit for a assistant warden for our newest nature reserve in Northern Ireland, Inishcreenry. PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and supported by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration. This is a fantastic opportunity to support the development and delivery of a management plan for the new reserve. They will be managed by the Inishcreenry Warden, and will support the recruitment and management of volunteers for the reserve.

Purchased thanks to funding, Inishcreenry is a 60 ha ASSI on Upper Lough Erne. It supports a range of habitats, including species rich grasslands, wetland habitats and wet woodland. It previously supported high numbers of breeding waders, and the site team will work to ensure the waders return. The site is part of the Upper Lough Erne SPA, SAC and Ramsar site, and also supports other key species, such as cryptic wood white and Irish hare. The post holder will contribute to making sure that the reserve fulfils its potential as an exemplar wetland located within the Lough Erne landscape that can be used to inspire and inform others.

The assistant warden will support the warden in setting up the reserve, helping to implement the management plan. They will also play a key role in recruiting and developing a volunteer work party to support reserves management. Other roles include supporting monitoring activities and engagement events, particularly targeted at the local farming community and policy makers.

The successful candidate will have a solid background in estate management and in leading volunteer work parties, as well as a good knowledge of habitat management techniques and natural history ID skills. They will assist in record keeping and data entry for the reserve and will be willing to work in all weathers and be willing to work flexible hours on occasion.

What we need from you:

Essential skills include:

• You will have knowledge and experience of practical habitat and estate management.
• You will have a proven track record of working of completing work alone and working within a varied team.
• Comfortable managing volunteers from a range of backgrounds
• Reasonable birdwatching knowledge and experience of biological surveys
• Be willing to assist with predator control to benefit ground nesting birds
• Full driving licence.
• Developing and implementing work plans
• Lantra or equivalent qualification in using equipment such as brushcutter and tractor, PA1/6 pesticides, or willingness to learn.
• Microsoft Office packages including Word, Excel and Outlook

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• 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.

This is a 42 month Fixed-Term Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from w/c 5th January 2026. 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.