Are you passionate about protecting beach nesting birds and empowering others to take action for nature? We are looking for an enthusiastic, practical person with ecological experience and good communication skills to join our Humber conservation team. The successful candidate will support monitoring and protection of important beach nesting bird populations (little tern, ringed plover, and oystercatcher) on the north bank of the Humber in East Yorkshire.

Beach nesting birds are a high conservation priority for the RSPB and this role will help towards securing a future for them. This is a partnership project, and you will work closely with colleagues across organisations such as the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Spurn Bird Observatory and Environment Agency


What's the role about? 

As  Seasonal Field Assistant, you will support all aspects of on-the-ground survey and monitoring delivery throughout the busy breeding season (April-August) in line with project objectives. You will be based at Yorkshire Wildlife Trusts Spurn National Nature Reserve. Activities will include:

• Monitoring breeding success of beach nesting Ringed Plovers, Little Terns and Oystercatcher.
• Maintenance of seasonal site fencing (including electric fencing), signage, and other infrastructure as required.
• Carrying out predator monitoring duties including deploying and maintaining trail cameras on site.
• Day to day engagement with beach users to inform, educate and raise awareness of beach nesting birds and their threats to empower positive behavioural change.
• Supporting a growing team of dedicated volunteers including assisting with inductions and on-site support as needed.
• Maintaining and building relationships with existing partners and stakeholders

Essential skills, knowledge and experience: 

• Higher level qualification in a relevant subject or ability to show equivalent work experience eg agriculture practices.
• Knowledge of bird and wildlife ecology, habitat requirements and identification to enable credibility in the role.
• Knowledge of a range of delivery mechanisms for conservation work relevant to the operational area of this role e.g. agri-environment schemes.
• Organisational skills e.g. maintenance and analysis of datasets, and managing conflicting priorities.
• Ability to work effectively as a team player both internally and externally.
• Effective communication skills (verbal, written and presentational) - including an ability to speak confidently and cogently in public to a variety of audiences.
• Experience of managing volunteers and setting clear work priorities.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Degree level qualification in a relevant subject.
• Ability to rapidly analyse significant quantities of information, prioritise and balance a diverse workload often to tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of the wildlife and habitats of the operational area of this role.
• Experience of working to survey, protect and/or manage important sites, species or habitats.
• Experience of productive partnership working.

This is a Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week on a  Fixed-Term contract for 16 weeks between April and August 2026.

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 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 3rd March 2026. For further information please contact mike.pilsworth@rspb.org.uk 

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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.

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

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. 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.