Are you passionate about conservation and enjoy working with people to deliver real impact for wildlife? RSPB NI is seeking an enthusiastic and driven Assistant Conservation Officer to support our work on the Causeway Coast and Rathlin Island, home to the only confirmed population of breeding corncrakes in Northern Ireland. Key aspects of the role will be to deliver the Giving Corncrake a Home project by leading habitat restoration, coordinating volunteers, and supporting corncrake conservation on Rathlin Island and the Causeway Coast. This role is funded through the PEACEPLUS Programme. PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and supported by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration.

What's the role about? 

This is a new role within RSPB NI Area East advisory team. The Assistant Conservation Officer will join the team who is currently leading the Giving Corncrake a Home Project for RSPB NI including the Conservation Officer for the Causeway Coast, two Volunteer Coordinators and a placement student. The successful candidate will support the role of the Conservation Officer in delivering a range of work for farmland birds, focusing on both landscape scale and hands-on conservation efforts. They will be specifically responsible for managing Giving Corncrake a Home, RSPB NI longest running project. The main aim of the project is to restore habitat for corncrakes on Rathlin Island by increasing early cover made of early growing plants like nettles which are essential for our secretive corncrakes returning from their migration. We do this by organising volunteering work party during the winter digging nettle roots (called rhizomes) on the mainland, washing them and transporting them to Rathlin to be planted on our Rathlin reserves.

We are therefore seeking someone with a passion for conservation, able to engage and inspire volunteers, build positive relationships with landowners and support community outreach to grow awareness and support for the project. The role is varied and includes a mix of fieldwork, volunteer coordination, admin and communication activities.

Key activities of the Assistant Conservation Officer will include:

Plan and lead nettle digging days with volunteers; manage equipment, PPE, and storage logistics.Ensure all Health & Safety protocols are in place and adhered to.Build and maintain relationships with local landowners, farmers, and community partners.Attend events, fairs, and open days to recruit and retain volunteers.Organise and deliver an annual Corncrake Community event, volunteer Thank You events and nettle planting days with Rathlin reserve staff.Contribute to project communications: deliver talks, write blogs, newsletters, social media content, and work with the RSPB NI Comms team to increase visibility.Identify new digging sites, contact landowners to assess feasibility for nettle dig. Follow-up on corncrake reports and GIS mapping.Identify suitable farms for habitat management for corncrake and draw management plan with the help of the CO and other duties reactively as they occur.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience: 

Experience of managing volunteers and setting clear work priorities.Understanding of corncrake ecology and habitat requirementsAbility to work effectively as a team player both internally and in external partnerships. Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and presentational) Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Word, Excel) and Canva for communication tasks.Confident working in remote outdoor conditions for extended periods over the winter.Knowledge of Health and safety procedures involving outdoors working with volunteers.Self-motivated, with a flexible approach to work and ability to work on your own initiativeBe a force of proposition and bring new ideas to the projectA valid driving licence and access to a vehicle is necessary due to remote site locations. Subject to funding, a vehicle will be provided to conduct the nettle digs.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

Experience using GIS mapping software.Ability to identify a wide range of UK birds by sight and sound, specifically farmland birds. Experience of driving a trailer.

This role is offered subject to funding on a part-time basis (18.75 hours per week) until 31st July 2029, home based with travel required to carry out key activities of the role.

Flexibility is required, including occasional weekend and evening work to attend community and volunteer events.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 2nd October 2025. For further information please contact anne.guichard@rspb.org.uk.

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.