Assistant Warden - Dorset Reserves

Spread over multiple Dorset reserves with an exceptional range of habitats including Reedbed, Wet Grassland, Ancient Woodland and Heathland with an abundance of specialised species such as Smooth snake, Dartford Warbler and Ladybird Spider, this role covers them all. We are looking for enthusiastic person to join our team, helping to deliver our habitat, infrastructure and survey objectives across Dorset.

What's the role about?

As an Assistant Warden for the Dorset reserves, you will be working closely with the Warden, the other Assistant Wardens, the Estate Worker, the Estates Operations Manager, Residential Volunteers and our day/regular volunteers with a wealth of knowledge. There will be support from our Senior Site Manager and visitor operations team.

Your main objectives will be to assist in delivering the practical parts of the reserves management plan objectives for the various reserves, help lead a broad range of surveys, and also take part in the many Health and Safety requirements associated with this role.

The Assistant Warden will be involved in supervision of contractors, use and maintenance of machinery such as Brushcutters, Chainsaws and Tractors, work planning and record-keeping, surveying of many key species across our reserves and assist in the recording and reporting of this. You will work closely with local partners, team colleagues and the many volunteers who's support will be crucial.

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 or completing work alone and working within a varied team.
• Comfortable managing volunteers from a range of backgrounds
• Reasonable wildlife knowledge and experience of biological surveys
• Operating and maintaining machinery, equipment and infrastructure
• Full driving licence.

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Lantra or equivalent qualification in using equipment such as brushcutter and tractor, PA1/6 pesticides.
• 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.
• Using IT to keep records and deliver day to day work

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 Fixed-Term Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week.

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 17/02/2026. 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.