Residential Volunteer Internship Placement Information

Transcription

1 Fence building Image by Julia Makin Residential Volunteer Internship Placement Information Practical Conservation Intern, East of England: Frampton Marsh, Old Hall Marshes, Titchwell Marsh. Overall purpose of the role A fantastic opportunity to experience two 6 month placements at prime locations in the East of England. You will gain valuable experience towards a career in conservation, whilst contributing towards our conservation and visitor objectives at challenging locations and across a wide variety of habitats. In this role you will: Gain experience of working on a busy nature reserve, as a member of the wardening team. Develop excellent practical experience of working towards conservation objectives and managing habitats for wildlife. Build experience of working in a team and supervising others. Develop an understanding/working knowledge of managing a variety of habitats to fulfil ecological objectives throughout the year. Learn how reserves are an essential part of the RSPB s pledge to save nature and contribute to making the RSPB one of the leading conservation charities in the world. Participate in, and understand the importance of, other aspects of reserve management, such as visitor services and events. Gain experience of surveying key species and habitats relating to individual reserves. Receive training in, and use of, the RSPB s Merlin GIS software to produce maps and input biological data.

2 Receive training and experience of using machinery and power tools, where required. Be given the opportunity to receive training on CV writing, interview techniques and career coaching. Receive emergency first aid at work training. Have access to our internal vacancies during your volunteering internship and a reference on successful completion of your placement. Be assigned a dedicated mentor who will monitor your progress and help you with personal development. Provided with free accommodation in stunning surroundings on, or near, the reserve. Main duties You will assist the warden teams across all reserves within your assigned locations. The duties that you will perform may vary dependent upon the needs of the reserves at which you are based, but will include: Habitat and reserve management, such as: Heath, Grassland, Reed and Scrub management. Management of artificial islands and scrapes. Ditch and water level management. Control of invasive weeds. Constructing or maintaining anti-predator fences, gates, stiles, paths, hides, bridges and boardwalks. Maintain and repair machinery and equipment. Attendance at, and participation in, reserve meetings. Survey and monitoring work, for example Breeding bird surveys such as bittern, ringed plover, avocet and marsh harrier. Water vole transects. Moth trapping. WeBs counts. Hen Harrier roost surveys. Collation of biological data using our Merlin GIS. Monitoring of salinities and water levels. Livestock Management. Livestock checking and moving (on reserves with livestock). Visitor services Assist across all the reserve teams during major events. Write and contribute to articles and blogs for community newsletters and web pages. Prepare temporary signage and interpretation. Lead guided walks. Manage small projects as and when appropriate. Day to day line management of short-term volunteers where appropriate

3 Person specification Qualifications You need to have: A-level standard education or equivalent. A full driving licence. It is desirable, but not essential, for applicants to also have a higher education qualification in an environmental subject. Skills You need to demonstrate: Good communication skills. The ability to work in a team and a strong work ethic. Enthusiasm to learn and develop new skills and abilities. A confident, friendly and polite manner. An ability to use your initiative. The ability to undertake strenuous manual labour outside in all weathers. It is desirable but not essential for applicants to evidence: Good identification skills of UK wildlife. Good IT skills. Experience No previous conservation experienced is required, but previous experience in a conservation based role and/or experience of undertaking wildlife surveys will be an advantage. Other You must be at least 18 years of age and willing to commit to the full 12 months (2 x 6 months) placement. You will be expected to display dedication to, and enthusiasm for, a career in nature conservation and a passion for wildlife and its conservation. Development This scheme is designed to give you the training and experience needed for a career in conservation. We will assist your personal development and progression towards a conservation career, but it is also important that you take advantage of the opportunities that will arise during the placement to learn new skills, gain new experiences and increase your conservation knowledge. Your line manager will provide structure to your internship, provide clear aims and objectives and will meet with you regularly to support your personal development.

4 Location and accommodation Old Hall Marshes Photo: Andy Hay, RSPB Images Old Hall Marshes is one of the last remaining stretches of undisturbed ancient grazing marsh throughout Essex. The reserve is a haven for a range of wildlife from tens of thousands of wintering waders and wildfowl to rare damselflies and nationally scarce plants. The site comprises a diverse range of wildlife habitats including ancient grazing marsh characterised by thousands of anthills of the yellow meadow ant, improved wet grassland, reedbed, saline lagoon and is surrounded on three sides by the Blackwater estuary that includes large areas of saltmarsh. Breeding species for the reserve include lapwing, redshank, avocet and oystercatcher on the improved grassland and grazing marsh; shovelers, gadwalls and pochards in the ditches and open water; bearded tits, marsh harriers and cetti s warblers in the reedbed. Photo: Neil Lincoln In winter large flocks of dark-bellied brent geese feed on the pastures whilst huge numbers of waders and ducks frequent the marshes. The reserve supports many passage migrants in spring and autumn including a number of scarce waders such as wood sandpipers and spotted redshank. The reserve is an important site for water vole and supports many unusual plant assemblages and invertebrate communities that include species such as saltmarsh goosefoot, slender hare s ear and scarce emerald damselfly. Testimonial: My time at Old Hall Marshes has allowed me to develop a broad range of skills while accomplishing a large amount conservation work, and all within a very friendly and supportive environment. In hindsight, I am extremely pleased that I applied to volunteer at this fantastic reserve. The experience has encouraged me to continue to develop a career in conservation. Lawrence Sampson, Old Hall Marshes,

5 We are looking for conservation interns to join our reserve team at Old Hall Marshes. We want you to be involved in all aspects of reserve management and to play a key role in improving how the reserve is managed for the diverse range of wildlife it supports. Testimonial: The placement has been fantastic, there s no other way to describe it. It s been a privilege to receive so much formal and informal training in the various tasks which are involved in managing a wetland for wildlife. Dan Carne, Old Hall Marshes, 2016 The reserve work programme will provide a wide range of opportunities for you to develop your knowledge and gain a wealth of experience necessary for pursuing a career in nature conservation. We will support your career development by helping you with application writing and career coaching Photo: Andy Hay, RSPB Images through regular one to one meetings. These will be conducted by RSPB staff with knowledge of what you need to do to get a career in conservation. Accommodation at Old Hall Marshes k Groves Accommodation is provided free of charge at a rural mid-terraced cottage, located approximately three quarters of a mile from the reserve, accommodating two volunteers in two double rooms. The cottage has electricity, central heating and shower/bath. Bedding can be provided if required. There is a TV, DVD player, washing machine, iron, cooker, microwave, fridge and freezer. The reserve is quite isolated so your own car would be useful, however transport will be provided for shopping once a week. Bicycles are also available to use. Local facilities include a corner shop, post office, bakers, butchers, pub and doctors approximately 1.5 miles in Tollesbury. The nearest supermarkets are located in Tiptree (5 miles) and Maldon (7 miles). Frampton Marsh Frampton Marsh sits on the edge of The Wash, the most important wetland in the UK. The whole area would once have been saltmarsh, but a series of sea banks were built over many centuries to claim and drain the land for agriculture and protect people from flooding. The outer sea bank is 150 years old. On the seaward side of sea bank is a very large area of saltmarsh. When this came up for sale in 1984 the RSPB bought it and

6 managed it with traditional cattle grazing to benefit breeding redshanks and wintering brent geese. From 2006 opportunities arose with some of the agricultural land adjacent to the saltmarsh. After securing funding of over 1.6m and working in partnership with the Environment Agency, we purchased over 170 hectares of farmland. Since this time we have been converting arable fields into a variety of complimentary wetland habitats, including a reed-bed, shallow freshwater scrapes and wet grassland. We also established a network of new nature trails, three birdwatching hides and a visitor centre. Wildlife has responded very quickly to these new opportunities with huge numbers of breeding, passage and wintering birds. The opportunity to see large numbers of birds close up throughout the year has increased visitor numbers from around 7,000 per annum to over 55,000 in under 10 years. In winter the bird spectacle can mass to over 20,000 birds on site and in summer the scrapes and grassland heave with breeding waders and wildfowl. Due to the nature of the site we are able to pioneer new ecological management practices on our habitats. Dynamic management is the name of the game here and if you have a can do attitude and a desire to learn something new then you ll be welcomed with open arms. Freiston Shore Frampton s sister reserve is another wonderful example of fresh and saltwater habitats on the Lincolnshire coast. Fifteen years old and just ten minutes outside of Boston on the other side of the River Witham to Frampton, Freiston is a hidden gem. We get over here at least once a week to ensure the visitor infrastructure is tip top, our water levels are where we want them to be and our cows are safe and sound. Freiston comprises a saline lagoon, managed realignment, wet grassland, saltmarsh and arable options under Countryside Stewardship. Accommodation at Frampton Marsh Roads Farmhouse houses the volunteer accommodation and also the reserve offices. Residential volunteers benefit from living in a Grade II Georgian farmhouse, with large private double bedrooms, fully-fitted kitchen, dining room, lounge, oil central heating, washing machine, bath/shower and television. There are parking spaces to the side of the house and bicycles for use. The farmhouse has a garden, including a vegetable plot available for use. The closest bus service runs from the nearby village of Kirton, three miles from the accommodation. Buses run to Boston and Spalding during the week and on Saturdays. The reserve is a stop for the CallConnect on-demand bus from Boston. The nearest railway station is at Boston (four miles) with regular services to and from Nottingham. Spalding (via Peterborough) can provide connecting services for trains to London and the West Midlands. The nearest 24 hour supermarkets are in Boston (Tesco and Asda) although there is a Co-op and smaller shops in the local village of Kirton. Boston also has a cinema and lots of good eateries in the local area. y Collett

7 Titchwell Marsh Titchwell Marsh is a wetland reserve situated on the North Norfolk coast close to the seaside town of Hunstanton. The reserve was bought by the RSPB in the early 1970 s to help protect rare Montagu s harriers that were breeding on the site at the time. Sadly the harriers moved on but the reserve has continued to develop ever since. The reserve is made up of freshwater and tidal reed-beds, willow scrub, freshwater lagoons, saltmarsh, sand dunes, tidal lagoons and an extensive sandy beach and is important for a wide variety of species. Bittern, marsh harrier and bearded tit breed in the reed-beds, with avocets on the islands in the lagoons. Large numbers of wintering waterfowl can be seen in the area including the large flocks of pink footed geese. During the spring and autumn, the reserve is especially important as a stopover site for migrating wading birds including ruff and black tailed godwits. Dunes tiger beetles and the rare sea aster mining bee can both be found on the beach. Titchwell is a very popular destination, receiving over 75,000 visits a year. The reserve has a visitor centre, small cafe, 3 hides and direct access to the beach. Accommodation at Titchwell Marsh Located in the village of Titchwell just a 15 minute walk from the reserve, the 3 Horseshoes Cottage is a traditional Norfolk brick and flint cottage with distant sea views from the upstairs bedrooms. The fully furnished cottage includes three double bedrooms, living room, dining room, bathroom and kitchen. New furniture and carpets were installed throughout in There is a TV, DVD player and WiFi. Outside there is a garden and a shed for bike storage plus car parking for three cars. The Coasthopper bus service can be caught from outside the cottage and also from the entrance to the reserve. This service runs along the coast between Cromer and Hunstanton where it connects with a regular bus service to King s Lynn. Photo: Neil Kellythorn The nearest railway station is at King s Lynn with regular services to and from Cambridge and London. Ely (via Peterborough) can provide connecting services for trains to the North and the Midlands, but there is an express bus between Peterborough railway station and King s Lynn bus station. The nearest supermarkets are in Hunstanton (Tesco and Sainsbury) although there are small shops in the local villages of Thornham and Burnham Norton. Further afield, Kings Lynn has the full range of shops. Photo: Toby Collett

8 How to apply When short-listing, we are looking for evidence of: Your qualifications. Enthusiasm for the role and a keen interest in conservation as a career. A strong work ethic. Being a team player. Any relevant experience. Any relevant skills you may have. To apply, please download an application from the Information page, or if this is not possible please residential.interns@rspb.org.uk Closing date 11th January 2019 Please return your application form by to Residential.interns@RSPB.org.uk Or by post to Residential Volunteer Interns Volunteering Development Department RSPB UK Headquarters The Lodge Sandy Bedfordshire SG19 2DL For more information about this opportunity, please contact Martin Bull, Volunteering Development Officer, Eastern England. (martin.bull@rspb.org.uk) Short listed candidates will be invited to interview towards the end of January. They will take place at RSPB Eastern England Regional Office, 65 Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1UD. Some travel expenses are available. If successful at interview, any preference you have for a particular reserve will be taken into account, but we will be looking to place each successful applicant at two reserves (six months at each) that will enhance the range of experience you receive. Please note that there are opportunities starting in March 2019 and in September You may apply if you are interested in either, but reserve availability may vary depending upon the start date. The RSPB is the country s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. The RSPB is a registered charity in England & Wales , in Scotland SC037654