Location
Lower Lough Erne Reserve, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland

Hours
Full Time - 37.5 hours per week

Salary
£30,075 per annum

About the Role
Thanks to a successful funding bid, we are recruiting for a brand new role on the Lower Lough Erne reserve - a Breeding Wader Officer. The post holder will support the existing Lower Lough Erne team in managing the reserve for breeding waders and will take a lead on developing strategies to address key challenges faced by waders on the reserve. Reporting to the Lower Lough Erne Estate Manager, you will line manage two seasonal monitoring officers.

Lower Lough Erne reserve, located in Co. Fermanagh, is the most westerly RSPB reserve in the UK and the oldest in Northern Ireland. It consists of 47 islands across the second largest freshwater lake in the UK and supports nationally important numbers of breeding waders including curlew and redshank, as well as the most inland breeding colony of sandwich terns in the world. The reserve also hosts rare species such as tree lungwort, Irish whitebeam, cryptic wood white, and Marsh fritillary butterflies. Most of the reserve is accessible only by boat, including a unique purpose-built livestock cot.

In this role, you will manage the seasonal monitoring officers and coordinate breeding wader monitoring across the reserve, utilising camera traps and other equipment. You will collaborate with the RSPB ecology team to develop monitoring methods focused on productivity levels and address issues such as predation and tick burden. You will contribute to practical management on the reserve, working alongside the team and volunteers, and coordinate with the livestock officer to ensure grazing regimes support optimal habitat for breeding waders.

Additionally, you will assist with the tendering process for capital works under the project, supervise contractors on site to ensure timely and budget-compliant delivery, and complete necessary reporting. You will also work with the wider RSPB Northern Ireland team to support breeding wader conservation across the landscape and collaborate with the engagement team to develop and deliver community events and media activities.

This is a fixed-term contract until 31st July 2029, with the possibility of extension or becoming permanent depending on business needs.

Experience
- Degree or equivalent relevant work experience in a related specialism
- Practical delivery of fieldwork relevant to the role
- Boat handling experience or willingness to learn
- Experience working with and managing staff and volunteers
- Working with contractors
- Record keeping and report writing
- IT and database skills
- Ability to work in extreme conditions, sometimes for prolonged periods in the field
- Strong organisational skills including time management and prioritisation
- Problem-solving skills

About you
Enthusiastic and motivated individual with a passion for conservation and wildlife management. Able to lead and support a small team effectively. Comfortable working outdoors in challenging environments and adaptable to changing conditions. Committed to delivering high-quality practical conservation outcomes and engaging with community and volunteer groups.

Qualifications
A relevant degree or equivalent experience is essential. Boat handling skills are desirable but not mandatory as training can be provided. A full clean UK driving licence is advantageous but not explicitly required.