Field Officer - Solent Seascape

Reference: NOV

Location:

Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve + Solent Travel and working from home (if desired).

Contract:

Minimum 7 months Fixed-Term

Hours:

Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £24,571.00 - £26,231.00

About the Project and the Role

The Solent is home to an amazing network of harbours, islands, estuaries and open water that host internationally important coastal wildlife populations and habitats, such as seagrass meadows, saltmarsh and seabird nesting sites.

The Solent Seascape Project and its partners are working to restore and reconnect these sites, setting the scene for species and habitat recovery in the coming years. As part of the Solent Seascape Project, the RSPB are delivering active restoration across several sites within the Solent, as well as providing support for other sites, and increased population monitoring of the breeding seabirds within the area.

The role will involve:

• Seabird site preparation - Supporting and occasionally leading the delivery of seabird nesting sites preparation ahead of the breeding season. This will involve erecting seasonal fencing, signage, setting up cameras, removing or cutting selected vegetation, and other tasks as needed.
• Volunteer leadership - The Field Officer will lead multiple work parties and act as a first point of contact for a team of volunteers.
• Colony monitoring - carrying out detailed and regular monitoring of assigned seabird sites, recording the breeding population, the number of young fledged at each site and an array of additional information.
• Supporting project site delivery - During the post period, several habitat creation and enhancement projects are expected to take place. The Field Officer will support colleagues with these projects outside of the breeding season.
• Relationships - it is essential that the Field Officer builds positive relationships with staff, volunteers and other coastal users to generate support for the project and be able to effectively manage disturbance around the colonies.
• Communications - Help to raise awareness of the species and habitats present by providing information/photos for sharing to a wider audience.
• End of season reporting - support development of the end of season reports.

Desirable additional skills

• Relevant specialist conservation knowledge of habitats, species and environmental processes
• Volunteer management.
• RYA Level 2 in power boat use.
• NPTC Level 2 award in the safe use of brush cutters or equivalent.
• Rat monitoring with a rodenticide qualification.

Closing:
Sunday 4th January 2026

To complete your application online please