Are you a people person who loves to engage with visitors and inspire them with your passion for wildlife? At our Rathlin West Light Seabird centre we are looking for three enthusiastic Visitor Experience Officer’s to help inspire and enthuse our visitors by explaining about breeding seabirds, including puffin, guillemot, kittiwake, razorbill and fulmar. At the Seabird Centre, our visitors can enjoy close-up views of Northern Ireland's biggest seabird colony, congregating in their thousands to breed from late April to July. However, we don't want just the spectacle of the wildlife to excite our visitors - we want our staff to as well.

You will be a key member of the reserve team and be involved in the daily running of the visitor centre and events throughout the season. Our members play a vital role within the RSPB and their continued support helps us to work on our priority projects therefore encouraging membership will be a key part of this role. We will have a team of volunteers on our site supporting us throughout the season so experience in the management and development of volunteers would be desirable.

Due to the nature of this role you will be required to find suitable accommodation on the island or nearby. The RSPB may be able to support you in this search which can be discussed at the time of interview. This role is for a 6-month fixed term contract and will consist of 37.5 hours per week which will include weekends from 29th March - end of September 2021. Working hours will be agreed with Visitor Experience Manager/other Visitor Experience Officers to allow for seven-day cover at site during the season, so flexibility will be required.

What’s the role about? 

• Ensuring the efficient and smooth day-to-day running of the visitor centre and delivering the highest standards resulting in a high-quality visitor experience
• Promote RSPB membership to visitors and help work towards set targets
• Give presentations to large groups for events or group visits to the centre
• Contribute ideas and suggestions to enhance the visitor experience and ensure every visitor has a positive and memorable experience
• Have a passion for the visiting breeding seabirds and the uniqueness of Rathlin island and being confident in communicating this effectively to our visitors, therefore helping to inspire return visits
• Work closely with the Visitor Experience Manager to help organise volunteers in the visitor centre and support them with their role
• Write regular, engaging content for blogs and social media platforms, ensuring communication is of a high standard and adheres to RSPB Brand guidelines
• Deputise for the Visitor Experience Manager when required and ensure risks or issues are highlighted
• General administration in relation to the reserve

 What we need from you?

• Educated to GCSE level English and Maths Grades A-C
• Experience in supporting a team of volunteers and related administration
• Understanding of safe working practice
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Experience in helping to plan and deliver events
• A team player who can motivate and inspire people
• Problem solving skills and ability to work on own initiative
• Ability to manage and respond to customer needs and feedback
• Ability to maximise opportunities for visitor engagement and income generation
• Experience of managing and delivering against targets and KPI’s

If you love nature and are passionate about wildlife, excellent customer service, and are excited about inspiring visitors about Rathlin island and the work of the RSPB, then this role would be perfect for you! We particularly welcome applications from those who reside on Rathlin island or in local areas.

Please note that this vacancy is subject to the current Covid restrictions, and therefore may be subject to change.

For any queries relating to the role, please contact Rachele.Crawford@rspb.org.uk.