Full-time position – Permanent 

Start Date: ASAP

Deadline: 15/04/2023

Salary:  £24,000 pa
Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)

Job Base: Wareham, Dorset

Background: Dorset is without doubt one of the most important and pristine counties in the country when it comes to its birdlife. Nestled centrally on the south Dorset coast is Poole Harbour, a thriving landscape with a whole host of protections and designations attached to it. The harbour is both nationally and internationally important for a suit of species, and its surrounding landscapes provide a mouth-watering opportunity to see, experience and learn about birds right the way through the year.

Southern Britain and especially the Purbeck and Poole Harbour area is also fast becoming a recognised species and landscape recovery focal point, showcasing a range of high-profile nature restoration projects including the Poole Harbour Osprey translocation project and the Isle of Wight White-tailed Eagle translocation.

We’re seeking someone to join our small but driven team to help us continue building and developing our education and people engagement program throughout the year.

Job description: Our Birds of Poole Harbour charity is only 10 years old, but since it’s creation, we’ve worked hard at developing and delivering a range of high standard and high impact events and experiences for the public and local community to enjoy. The successful applicant will be a vital and busy member of the team, working hard to help us build our people engagement schedule as well as delivering and hosting many of the events themselves. This will include commentating on both our public and school bird boat programs, hosting and delivering guided walks and ID courses and supporting and coordinating customer bookings and enquiries. A big part of the role will be to inspire and ignite excitement in the public by showcasing birds such as wild Ospreys and White-tailed Eagles, whilst educating and explaining to people some of the big conservation issues that the charity holds dear to its heart.

The role and key duties:

1. Help develop and deliver our wide range of public engagement and educational events.
2. Lead events commentary for bird boat trips and guided events including our School Bird Boat program
3. Support on and deliver highest standards of customer service and public engagement
4. Provide additional support at bird ringing demos and ID courses.
5. Help maintaining website and social media presence
6. Promote and interpret our projects and key messages, including the Osprey Translocation Project
7. Undertake other duties to support on all aspects of the charity’s objectives

Additional information: Birds of Poole Harbour is a registered charity dedicated to boosting the profile of bird conservation, observation and education across the Poole Harbour area. As a charity we fundraise and invest in conservation projects ranging from the installation of public infrastructure and habitat creation, to hosting our popular School Bird Boat initiative and delivering the flagship Osprey project.

Reports to: BoPH Trustees

Person Specification: This is a perfect role for an aspiring and enthusiastic ornithologist with excellent communication skills and a good knowledge of British birds. We’re only a small team, so the successful applicant will need to be able to work as part of a busy team, but also use initiative to make things happen.

Full training will be provided, including event content and delivery structure, managing the booking systems, charity history, customer service and future plans. More detail on our project work can be found here: www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk

If you think you could help us build the charity with your enthusiasm interpreting Poole Harbour’s birdlife and local wildlife conservation efforts, please email Paul on info@birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk with a CV and one-page cover letter explaining why you think you’re suitable for this role.