Are you passionate about species conservation? Interested in gaining valuable research and monitoring experience, while working with one of the UKs most recognisable raptors? RSPBNI is looking for an enthusiastic individual with experience in monitoring birds of prey for a six-month post in County Down, Northern Ireland.

The role

Red Kites were reintroduced to Northern Ireland in 2008 and since then the local population has been monitored by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers.

Your role will be to collect data on wintering and breeding Red Kites at their strongholds in the Dromara Hills and surrounding areas. This will include winter roost surveys, nest finding and monitoring to assess productivity, associated data entry, and supporting and coordinating a team of volunteers. The post holder will need to have previous experience in finding and monitoring raptor nests.

This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside a passionate team in one the most spectacular places in Northern Ireland. Please note that the successful candidate will be required to work unsociable hours, including the occasional weekend, depending on the weather.

Key activities will include:

• Winter Red Kite roost watch surveys.
• Nest location and monitoring of Red Kites.
• Developing and upkeeping relationships with stakeholders and landowners.
• Delivering appropriate species protection for priority species in identified geographical/priority areas.
• Manage all relevant data to ensure it is stored and analysed appropriately to allow review of work programmes and future planning.
• Build appropriate positive relationships with key external partners and stakeholders so that RSPB’s monitoring of species and habitats, policies and messages are understood within relevant partnerships and fora.
• Contribute to the delivery of RSPB’s conservation programme away from reserves focussing on monitoring and species protection to help deliver Saving Nature Outcomes.
• Supporting and coordinating a team of volunteers – including on tasks such as data management, monitoring, and wing-tagging.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Higher level qualification in a relevant subject or ability to show equivalent work experience e.g., field season conducting raptor surveys.
• Knowledge of bird and wildlife ecology, habitat requirements and identification to enable credibility in the role.
• 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.
• Ability to be diplomatic.
• Experience of working to survey, protect and/or manage important sites, species or habitats.
• Experience of managing volunteers and setting clear work priorities.
• Experience of working with land managers e.g., farmers, woodland owners
• 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 public engagement work e.g., attendance at county shows and events.
• Experience of productive Partnership working.
• Specialist conservation knowledge in relevant habitat /species areas.