Volunteer Coordinator (East Norfolk and North Suffolk Beach-nesting Birds)

**Why we need you**

Every year, the East Norfolk and North Suffolk coastline hosts some of the largest numbers of Little Tern in the country, as well as other beach-nesting birds such as Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher. These birds rely on coastal environments to breed but are struggling to find safe places to raise their families, and so have declined significantly in recent years, with pressures from more people, high levels of predation, stormy weather and rising sea levels.

With the support of volunteers, we protect and monitor three important colony sites every year. We are looking for **three** dedicated and passionate Volunteer Coordinators who can commit to 1-2 days a week and help us organise and coordinate our volunteer teams at these colony sites (one each per location):

- Eccles-on-sea (Norfolk)

- Winterton-on-sea (Norfolk)

- Kessingland (Suffolk)

Depending on the time of year and where the birds nest, the priorities at each site will vary. This an exciting project with the opportunity to experience hands on conservation work and make a real difference to the fate of some of our most vulnerable bird species.

**What tasks will you be doing?**

The role is variable depending on the time of year and the situation at the beach-nesting bird colonies, but the main tasks will include:

- Advertising volunteer roles and responding to enquiries

- Working with the team to recruit and induct new volunteers

- Assisting with volunteer inductions

- Helping organise volunteer training events and surveys

- Routine admin tasks

- Supporting the volunteer team with their roles

**What will you get out of it?**

- This role is a fantastic opportunity to join a dedicated and enthusiastic team trying to save some of the most vulnerable bird species in the country. You will be making a genuine contribution to nature conservation, so if that is your motivation, this role will be very satisfying.

- We will provide you with training to help you learn new skills and make sure you are prepared for the role, as well as personal development opportunities.

- You will be meeting like-minded people in the team and wider community.

- This role is flexible for most of the year, meaning you can work around your other commitments.

- You will learn all about how the RSPB works and gain experience working for an environmental charity.

- You will gain a better understanding of beach-nesting bird ecology

- The role will involve a reasonable amount of physical activity, so it will enable you to keep your fitness levels high, as well as helping your mental health and wellbeing

**What experience/skills do you need?**

Full training can be provided for most aspects of the role; however, some key skills include:

- Willingness to learn new skills.

- Organisational skills and attention to detail

- Friendly and approachable, enjoy working with people

- Comfortable leading others and working as part of a team

- Computer literacy

- Able to work independently and use initiative

- Interest in working in a team dedicated to improving Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

- Year-round role, with more time commitment needed between mid-March to the end of August

- Working from home possible but will need to be able to travel to colony sites and events on occasion

You will receive full training in the role and will be provided with a full induction. This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of the RSPB's work on species recovery. By delivering this vital role you will be helping to establish and protect a healthy and thriving population of beach-nesting birds on the East Anglian coast.

If you are interested in the role, but want to learn more, please get in contact using the form on the right-hand side, or contact Pam Hallesy - [email protected]