Hen Harrier Nest Monitoring Officer

This is an exciting opportunity to join the RSPB's conservation team in the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire, and help with monitoring and protecting nesting Hen Harriers, one of England's rarest and most threatened bird species. This is a fixed-term position for 4 months, starting in April.

What's the role about?

We are looking for an enthusiastic Nest Monitoring Officer to join the RSPB’s conservation team in the Forest of Bowland, where the RSPB is working in partnership with United Utilities to monitor and protect upland breeding raptors.

You will be monitoring Hen Harrier Nesting attempts and help to protect them from disturbance by recreational activities where necessary, ensuring that all work is carried out in a safe manner which minimises disturbance to the birds. You may also be asked to assist with diversionary feeding of Hen Harrier broods and the monitoring of other upland breeding raptors such as merlin, peregrine, and short-eared owl.

Work will require long and unsociable hours in remote areas, often in adverse weather conditions. The Nest Monitoring Officers will need to work closely with other RSPB staff, volunteers, farming and shooting tenants, as well as engage with members of the general public. 

This post offers a wonderful opportunity to watch Hen Harriers from when they are settling to nest all the way through to when their young have successfully fledged. The Forest of Bowland is one of the most exciting areas in England for upland wildlife, and the calls and songs of ring ouzels, cuckoos, whinchats and curlews will be a frequent background to the focus of your work. This is a unique opportunity to play a part in helping one of England's rarest and most threatened bird species nest successfully!

If required, we may be able to provide shared accommodation off-site.

Please note that this is a casual contract offer (zero hour contract). Although we approximate that this role will require 37.5 hours per week, this might vary depending on the existence of Hen Harrier Nests!

What we need from you

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Good identification skills of uplands birds and experience of monitoring birds, particularly birds of prey. You should have experience of observing and interpreting bird behaviour.
• Experience of working to protect threatened species, particularly birds of prey, and knowledge of the threats that Hen Harriers and other birds of prey face.
• Experience navigating in the British uplands using a map/compass/GPS (hill skills), a sufficient level of fitness, and the ability and willingness to spend whole days working alone in remote upland areas on difficult terrain.
• Ability to be diplomatic and polite, and to remain composed and make sensible decisions in difficult situations.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings and weekends, as required.
• Ability to accurately record data in the field and ensure secure data handling and storage.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle as you will be traveling to remote locations with no public transport.

This is a zero hour contract for 4 months, hours can be flexible per week depending on demands during the breeding season.

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 12 February 2024. For all application/role enquiries please contact - Sonja Ludwig (Species and Habitats Officer – Bowland) sonja.ludwig@rspb.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.

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

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.