We are looking for an Assistant Warden to assist in the management of two nature reserves in East Kent - Blean Woods and Seasalter Levels. The sites covers a variety of habitats including broadleaf woodland, lowland heathland, wet grassland and scrub. The reserves play host to a myriad of endangered species, including nightingale, heath fritillary butterfly, lapwing, and shrill carder bee. You will be contributing to their survival by delivering habitat objectives through practical conservation work. You will work with the warden team to maintain the reserves habitats and infrastructure. The role will require you to contribute towards the maintenance of Health & Safety standards. You will also help deliver management plan objectives and achieve targets set out in Agri-Environment schemes across both reserves. It is a practical role and will require the use of machinery and hand tools to undertake tasks such as track repairs, fencing, infrastructure maintenance, invasive species control, grass topping, and hydrological management. You will also undertake avian survey work for breeding birds. Towards the end of the contract you will partake in habitat management tasks including coppicing, ride and glade management, and scrub control. We are looking for someone with enthusiasm for wildlife conservation and a keen interest in land management. You will need a broad, practical skill set and be able to contribute towards administrative work. Above all you will have good interpersonal skills to be able to work in a small staff team and manage large groups of volunteers. Essential qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience: 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 A full, manual driving licence that is valid in the UK. Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience: Lantra or equivalent qualification in using equipment such as chainsaw, 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. 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 role until September 2025, full-time 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 on 27th February 2025. For further information please contact sam.richardsonrspb.org.uk. 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. Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.