Residential Volunteer internship placement information:

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1 Fence building at Bolton Ings by Julia Makin Residential Volunteer internship placement information: Residential volunteering Internship, Ynys-hir Overall purpose of the role. We want you to help us maintain and enhance key habitats for some of Wales most threatened wildlife. We provide you with the training, skills and knowledge required to work on a busy nature reserve. You take a leading role in managing for key species and go on to become wardens of the future. About Ynys-hir Did you see Springwatch?! Ynys-hir is a stunningly beautiful reserve, home to ancient woodland, ffridd, raised bog, reedbed, lowland wet grassland and estuarine salt marsh. It is home to many species and in particular has one of Wales most important breeding populations of lapwing. Other key species include pied flycatcher, wood warbler, redstart, bats and dormice in the woodlands; Greenland white-fronted geese, snipe, redshank and otter on wet grassland; tree pipit, whinchat and nightjar on the ffridd. You will be very much part of our small team, and the emphasis will be on team-work, pulling together, taking responsibility and protecting habitats and species.

2 In this role you will gain: An understanding of our priority habitats, target species and their habitat requirements The practical skills required to maintain and enhance key habitats Practical experience of working on a nature reserve and managing different habitats for wildlife An understanding of critical issues in reserve management, such as cross-compliance, health and safety, working on designated sites, working with volunteers and with contractors. Identification skills and survey methodologies for e.g. birds, mammals, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles Opportunities for personal development, e.g. to follow particular interests Responsibility for certain projects Experience of working in a small team and supervising other volunteers A working knowledge of the RSPB and conservation issues Some experience of other aspects of a reserve such as public affairs and events Free accommodation (including bills) in stunning surroundings close to the reserve Training Whilst you re here we ll provide you with both practical training and personal development: Practical: last year we provided training and assessment in chainsaw (NPTC), brushcutter, ATV and 4x4 (LANTRA). The schedule of this year s training will depend on the requirements of the work programme, so may vary from this list. Personal development: you will have opportunities to follow specialist interests, and we will deliver in-house training on: our key habitats, their ecology, and rationale for management; and the habitat requirements of key species driving our management. In addition, you attend Wetland ecology training led by reserves ecology; in-house livestock checking and working with workshop tools Training & experience in specialist computer applications eg Merlin, if required. Career development and interview skills

3 Photo taken by Becky Davies Main duties Autumn and Winter: Woodland management: coppicing, bramble clearance, removing invasive species, maintaining nestboxes Wet grassland management for breeding and wintering waterfowl: maintenance of electric fence, water level management, scrub and vegetation control Reedbed management: reed cutting, water level control, removal of scrub and invasive species Raised bog management: removal of invasive species, livestock management and water level management Ffridd: removal of invasive species, stock management Maintenance of reserve infrastructure: hides, benches, fences, gates, stiles, paths, bridges and boardwalks Stock management - livestock checks Assist with avian monitoring e.g. WeBS, Greenland white-fronted goose counts, wader counts on wet grassland. Spring and Summer: Nest box monitoring (for pied flycatchers and for dormice) Vegetation management along paths and trails Bracken management on ffridd Maintenance of reserve infrastructure: hides, benches, fences, gates, stiles, paths, bridges and boardwalks Assist with monitoring & surveying of non-avian taxa e.g. moths, butterflies, dragonflies Assist with territory mapping / CBC Monitoring conditions on the lowland wet grassland. Assist with public engagement events

4 Year-round: assist the team with day to day management such as: Dealing with real life situations, e.g. livestock escaping, trees falling over Cross-compliance obligations Preparing maps, reports and articles for reserve newsletters Supervision and co-ordination of day volunteers Assisting in the Visitor Centre Assisting with Quality Assurance checks to maintain high standards of facilities for example trail safety audits, vehicle checks Assisting with reserve events e.g. guided walks Skills required This role will involve undertaking strenuous manual labour working outside in all weathers. Essential: You must be at least 18 years old Relevant studies or experience, or a real willingness to learn Committed to protecting wildlife and habitats Ambition for a career in wildlife conservation Self motivation Team Player able to motivate yourself and other to get the job done together Ability to lead other volunteers and to act as a role model A driving licence is required for this role. A willingness to work outside in all weathers Desirable: Previous experience of practical work and volunteering is an advantage Development This scheme is designed to give you the training and experience needed to pursue a career in conservation. We will assist your personal development and progression and 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 supervisor will provide structure to your development in the form of a Personal development plan. There will be regular meetings to check your progress, an initial 4 week trial period and a six month review.

5 Location and accommodation Photo taken by Tom Kistruck Location Ynys-hir Nature Reserve, Eglwys Fach Machynlleth, SY20 8TA. Tel: Machynlleth (5 miles) is a small market town which hosts several festivals each year including a comedy festival. Aberystwyth (12 miles) is a University town on the coast with a lively student and music scene. Within very easy reach are the lovely beaches of Ynys las and Aberdyfi. Accommodation The accommodation is located just off the A487 between Machynlleth and Aberystwyth, in the village of Furnace, approximately ½ mile from the reserve. You will be living with another intern in a bungalow. There are 2 bedrooms - each room has a storage heater, and there is a wood burner in the front room. Firewood is provided. There is a television and digi-box (the number of channels you receive tends to vary with the weather conditions), a DVD player and WiFi.

6 How to apply This internship will run for 7 months from the beginning of September 2018 until end March Please download the internship application form from the information page. Please return your completed application form by post to Residential Volunteering Internships, Volunteering Development Department, RSPB UK HQ, The Lodge, Potton Road, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL, or to Residential.interns@rspb.org.uk. The closing date for applications is 15 th July 2018 Interviews will take place at the end of July, venue to be confirmed. Some travel expenses may be available Successful candidates will be expected to start in the first week of September. For further information about the location mentioned above please see our website at If you would like any more information, please contact Neil Groves neil.groves@rspb.org.uk RSPB Ynys-hir 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