Wessex Stone-curlew Project Officer

We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic individual with skills in farmland wildlife surveys (preferably Stone-curlew) to join our team conserving this RSPB Priority Species. The ideal candidate will be self-led, experienced in providing advice to farmers and land managers, and have experience with complex and detail-oriented work. Based at RSPB Winterbourne Downs with home working as appropriate. Between March and September, the Project Officer will carry out field work around Salisbury Plain and wider area.

Stone-curlews have undergone significant decline across the UK over the last century leaving only two strongholds, the Brecks in East Anglia and Wessex. Thirty years of conservation efforts have seen the population recover. The RSPB works closely with landowners and farmers, including the MoD, to provide habitat for breeding pairs. The population in Wessex is now approaching 150 pairs, however continued recovery relies on monitoring and protection.

The postholder will lead a small team working on the Wessex Stone-curlew Project with a particular focus on delivery of monitoring and protection in the key area of Salisbury Plain and surrounding farmland. The role has a strong fieldwork focus during the breeding season. Excellent field skills are required for this tricky and inconspicuous bird, including experience with optics and ability to spot minute details from a distance. The work includes locating Stone-curlew pairs, monitoring breeding attempts, finding nests, liaising with farmers/land managers, providing management advice for Stone-curlew plots, and carrying out intervention measures for vulnerable pairs. The work has a strong data gathering and analysis component with the need to record measurements quickly and accurately. The Project Officer will be required to manage large and complex databases in Excel spreadsheets. The postholder will often be conducting field work alone using their own initiative, and will also be managing two seasonal field officers and a small volunteer team. Lone working often in remote locations is commonplace in this role. The post holder will need to be comfortable driving a 4x4 vehicle off road and spending multiple hours per day in a vehicle. Stone-curlew pairs are spread across a wide geographic area and a significant proportion of the monitoring is done from inside a vehicle using a window mounted spotting scope.

The Project Officer will:

• Input into design and delivery of an agreed programme of conservation work, managing risk, meeting objectives, and implementing change
• Recruit and train seasonal field officers and volunteers; ensure team are equipped to deliver stone-curlew monitoring, management & interventions
• Undertake and oversee field work; comply with relevant wildlife and environmental legislation
• Provide specific and timely advice for management of stone curlew plots
• Other work as required in support of RSPB’s objectives

Essential skills, knowledge & experience:

• Degree or equivalent work experience in practical environmental conservation work
• Experience with ecological field surveys, especially bird surveys (preferable on farm habitats)
• Tact, diplomacy and negotiating skills to develop and maintain good relations with land managers, volunteers and other stakeholders
• Experience managing, interpreting & analysing large & complex data sets (advanced skills in MS Excel)
• Ability to interpret and competently navigate using OS maps
• Excellent communicator (verbal, written and presentational) - including an ability to speak confidently to a variety of audiences
• Good knowledge of farmland wildlife and conservation mechanisms i.e. Agri-environment and Countryside Stewardship Schemes
• A full, manual driving licence valid in the UK

Desirable skills, knowledge & experience:

• Previous experience monitoring breeding stone-curlew, providing management advice and species protection work
• Knowledge of the ecology, species and habitats within Wiltshire (especially Salisbury Plain), with a focus on farmland habitats and wildlife
• Experience of managing staff or volunteers and setting clear work priorities
• Demonstrable experience of working with multiple stakeholders
• Highly competent IT user - including MS Office & Teams
• Self led and ability to work flexibly and conduct field work during unsocial hours
• Off road 4x4 driving experience

Additional Information

This is a fixed-term role for 12 months, full-time for 37.5 hrs/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.

The role requires lone working, early morning/evening & occasional weekend working. There will be occasional overnight stays away from home.

To apply, you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence of how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We reserve the right to close early once sufficient applications have been received.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 09/03/2026. For further information contact [email protected].

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB. 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.

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.