We are looking for an enthusiastic team player to join us as a Centre Assistant at our Fairburn Ings reserve, and help us deliver fantastic customer service. RSPB Fairburn Ings has transitioned from coal face to wild place over the last 60 years. This former industrial site is rich in heritage and has become an important site for breeding and wintering wildfowl. Our work is planned via the use of rotas and this part-time role will include weekend and bank holiday working. Full induction and training will be provided, with opportunities to learn about the running of a busy retail and nature reserve operation. The main focus of the Centre Assistant role is to serve customers and ensure they have the best experience possible. You will also help maintain the retail displays, process deliveries, operate the till, and respond to visitor enquiries in a friendly and professional manner. Working on a nature reserve means there’s always plenty going on and you’ll need to be prepared to deal with almost anything. You will receive full training and support on all aspects of RSPB Retail, which will enable you to drive sales, be a positive role model to the team, and an ambassador for the RSPB. There may be the occasional requirement to work in our Little Owl Café at RSPB St Aidan’s Nature Park. RSPB St Aidan’s is only 4 miles away from Fairburn Ings. Key Responsibilities: Ensuring the retail store is delivering the highest standard of customer care. Working with the retail management team to achieve financial targets and Key Performance Indicators to deliver against retail store goals. Ensure the retail store is commercially merchandised and stock levels are appropriate. Ensuring all retail admin, operating processes, security including cash handling and health and safety in the retail store adheres to RSPB procedures. Essential Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills GCSE Maths and English or equivalent. Computer literate. Enthusiastic approach to work. Excellent verbal and written communications skills. Ability to plan and prioritise workloads. Problem solving skills and ability to work on own initiative. Ability to manage and respond to customer needs and feedback. Able to build and maintain strong working relationships. Ability to work as part of a team. Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experience Experience of working at a retail environment/visitor attraction. Experience of working in a sales background. Retail certificate. Knowledge of Health and Safety in the workplace. Merchandising skills. Till operation and payment handling. Further Information: We have two roles available: Role 1 - this is a permanent, part-time, flexible hours role, with the opportunity to flex up hours over busy periods including holiday and sickness cover. Basic hours will vary according to the season and include weekend and bank holiday working: Winter (Oct to Mar) - ranging from 6 hours per week up to 20 hours per week during peak trading periods. Summer (Apr to Sep) - approximately 19 to 20 hours per week. Role 2 - this is a fixed term, seasonal, part-time, flexible hours role, with the opportunity to flex up hours over busy periods including holiday and sickness cover. Basic hours will vary according to the season and include weekend and bank holiday working: Summer (Apr to Sep) - approximately 7 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. Please let us know if you have a preference for one role or another in your CV or cover letter. We are looking to conduct interviews for this position as soon as suitable candidates present themselves, so please do not delay in applying. For further information please contact matthew.goughrspb.org.uk Please note that we are actively recruiting for this vacancy, and reserve the right to close once sufficient applications have been received. As part of this application you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete a short form. If you wish to provide a cover letter with your application, please include this at the end of your CV document upload. 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. Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.