Warden

Do you have a passion for wildlife? Do you want to help protect one of the UK's most exciting places for nature, the internationally important Somerset Levels & Moors?

What's the role about?

The RSPB is looking for a Warden to join the team at its Sedgemoor reserves in Somerset. You will be working in a dynamic wetland environment with diverse habitats and species with development of peat restoration and landscape recovery projects at its core. You will lead the wardening team delivering and developing our reserves management plan, ensuring we deliver benefits for important breeding populations of birds including, curlew, crane, bittern, crakes and snipe as well as manging for species rich meadows, internationally important wintering waterfowl populations and other water and climate objectives.

Not only will you be working on the 800ha reserve holding but you will have an important part to play in maintaining and developing working relationships with stakeholders and neighbours with opportunities to influence nature delivery outside the reserve boundary.

You will:

Play a key role in delivering the reserve management plan through habitat work, monitoring and accurate record-keeping. Lead and support the wardening team to deliver the site’s work programme to a high standard. Help develop and report on funded conservation projects. Ensure safe, compliant operations by following best practice in H&S and environmental management. Oversee contractors on site to ensure work is delivered safely, legally and in line with management plan targets.

What we need from you:

Essential criteria

• Practical understanding of managing wet grassland and fen habitats to support conservation outcomes.
• Relevant ecological knowledge to inform habitat work, species needs and site-based decision-making.
• Understanding of compliance requirements, including agricultural and environmental legislation relevant to land management.
• A proactive and conscientious approach to applying Health & Safety principles in day-to-day site management
• One-to-one and team leadership skills, with a proven track record of guiding, supporting and developing a team.
• Competence in practical habitat, estate and land management, including livestock handling and farming operations.
• Proven ability to maintain accurate records, manage data effectively and use GIS software to support site work.
• Developed skills in biological monitoring and species/habitat survey techniques.
• Established ability to procure, coordinate and oversee contractors to ensure safe, legal and high-quality delivery of work.
• Lantra (or equivalent) qualifications for operating equipment such as tractors, ATVs, chainsaws and PA1/6 pesticides.
• Sound knowledge of maintaining vehicles, machinery, tools and equipment to agreed standards.
• The role requires a full UK manual driving licence to be able to do work pick ups to transport people and materials around the sites

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 full-time role for 37.5 hours per week.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 18th June 2026. For further information please contact [email protected]

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

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes.

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.