Thanks to a successful funding bid, we are looking to recruit for a brand new role on the Lower Lough Erne reserve – a Breeding Wader Officer. 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. The post holder will support the existing Lower Lough Erne team in the management of the reserve for breeding waders, and will take a lead on developing strategies to deal with a number of issues currently faced by waders on the reserve. You will report to the Lower Lough Erne Estate Manager and will line manage the two seasonal monitoring officers.
Lower Lough Erne reserve, in Co. Fermanagh is the most westerly RSPB reserve in the UK, and the oldest in Northern Ireland. It consists of 47 islands dotted across the second largest freshwater lake in the UK. The reserve supports nationally important numbers of breeding waders, including curlew and redshank, and the most inland breeding colony of sandwich terns in the world. The reserve also supports a whole host of rare species, including tree lungwort, Irish whitebeam, cryptic wood white and Marsh fritillary butterflies. The vast majority of the reserve is accessible only by boat, including the unique and purpose built livestock cot.
What’s the role about?
You will manage the seasonal monitoring officers, and coordinate the breeding wader monitoring across the reserve, including use of camera traps and other equipment. You will work with the RSPB ecology team to develop ways of monitoring breeding waders, in particular productivity levels, and also look for ways to solve issues faced by breeding waders, such as predation and tick burden. You will contribute to practical management on the reserve, working with the existing team and using volunteers where possible. You will work with the livestock officer to ensure that the grazing regime is delivering optimal habitat for breeding waders.
You will also contribute to the tendering process for capital works to be delivered through the project and supervision of contractors on site and help to ensure that work is delivered on time and in budget and that reporting is completed. You will also work with the wider RSPB team in Northern Ireland to support delivery of work for breeding waders in the wider landscape and with the engagement team to develop and deliver a range of community events and media work.
Essential skills, knowledge and experience:
• Degree or equivalent relevant work experience in the area of specialism
• Boat handling experience, or the willingness to learn
• Practical delivery of field work relevant to the role
• Able to solve problems
• Able to work in extreme conditions, sometimes for prolonged periods in the field
• Record keeping and report writing
• Organisational including time management and prioritisation
• Working with and managing staff and volunteers
• IT and database
• Working with contractors
This is a Fixed-Term Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week until 31st July 2029.
The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 13th October 2025. For further information please contact nancy.reed@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.
This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – 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.
