Conservation Officer (Red Kites Monitoring Volunteer - Northern Ireland)

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Recruiting Organization: RSPB Northern Ireland

An exciting opportunity to get involved with the reintroduction of red kites in Northern Ireland. Volunteers will closely monitor the progress of the local red kite population and help to raise awareness of these wonderful birds in the local community.

In spring and summer, you will be monitoring nests of red kites to assess the success of breeding pairs and fledglings. In winter you will be watching roosts and identifying wing tags to help monitor the progress of the population after their reintroduction. You will be deployed in various locations to investigate red kite sightings and identify new nesting and roosting sites within rural communities in South Down, from Ballynahinch to Downpatrick, Newcastle and more.

There are some basic requirements for this role, including:

• Passion for red kites and other birds of prey
• Enthusiasm for being outdoors
• Basic bird ID skills
• Basic IT skills to be able to submit data
• Ability to work with own initiative
• Flexibility in terms of times and locations
• Access to own vehicle
• Ability to follow Health and Safety procedures

The first kite chicks were released in County Down in 2008, and since then the population has expanded to around 30 breeding pairs. By delivering this vital role you will be helping to establish a healthy and thriving population of the birds in some of the most beautiful areas of Northern Ireland.

This is a flexible role, making most of your availability and preferred locations. While some basic knowledge of birds ID is desirable, you will receive all necessary training and gain experience in nest and roost monitoring. You will meet and work with other passionate volunteers and staff that are experts in the ecology of red kites. You will contribute to raising awareness of these beautiful birds, as well as aid the efforts to prevent raptor persecution in Northern Ireland.

Many bird, plant and other animal species are declining, in order to conserve them we need to understand more about their populations and their breeding numbers.

Your help is needed to complete a variety of annual and monthly surveys which are essential to collect data about various species to monitor population trends and help inform the science behind our work.

This science will then contribute to planning casework, inform policy decisions, engage the community regarding the species and nature near to them, and help influence external organisations.

The RSPB is the UK's largest nature conservation charity! Join our fantastic volunteers who are helping to inspire everyone to give nature a home and secure a healthy environment for wildlife. We will help you gain skills and give you an invaluable insight into our essential work.

• This role will vary depending on the landscape you are working within in and the needs of the Area team.
• Surveying an agreed wildlife species on a regular, ad-hoc or one-off basis during set times of the year.
• Input surveying data to the database or submitting it for another individual to input.
• Contributing to planning Casework, Policy and Advocacy.
• Engagement and SNTP.
• Advisory work.
• Administration.

• This role will require some key general skills, but please note that we will offer full training and induction into this particular area of the RSPB . You may need some experience in the area depending on what it is.
• IT skills, creating documents, managing spreadsheets, submitting records.
• Excellent communication skills for engaging with different audiences, internal and external to the RSPB.
• Organisational skills.
• Specific skills will be dependent on what species are being monitored/surveyed. For example, bird ID skills would be required for breeding bird surveys.
• Ability to work independently, or possibly in a small team.

• You will learn all about how the RSPB works and gain experience working for an environmental charity.
• A chance to develop hands on experience and skills around surveying.
• We will offer training and induction to ensure that you are prepared for the specific needs for each landscape.
• You will be contributing to our Priority landscape work programme, so we are able to better protect these places for nature long into the future.
• We like to think we're a friendly and welcoming team, so you'll have the opportunity to make new friends too.

Suitable for under 18's. The RSPB will reimburse you for out of pocket expenses travel expenses, we will provide the equipment, training and any uniform needed for you to complete the role We’re now the largest nature conservation charity in the country, consistently delivering successful conservation, forging powerful new partnerships with other organisations and inspiring others to stand up and give nature the home it deserves. We rely on the support and generosity of our volunteers to make a difference Our work stretches far beyond the UK. Wherever wildlife is in threat, we'll work with partners across the globe to help save it and give it a home. 

Stipend ProvidedFalse

Training ProvidedFalse

Housing AvailableFalse

Language/Cultral Support AvailableFalse

Wheelchair AccessibleFalse

Fee RequiredFalse

Fee Amount: None

This opportunity is recurring