Intern (Blean Woods and Seasalter Levels SSSI nature reserves)

Available from 15/08/2022 to 24/02/2023

We are looking for 2 enthusiastic and dedicated interns to join the Swale reserves team for the winter season. We manage two SSSI nature reserves – Blean Woods; a semi-natural ancient woodland site on the outskirts of Canterbury, and Seasalter Levels; a grazing marsh site to the west of Whitstable. Key species include the heath fritillary butterfly, nightingale, nightjar, lapwing & redshank. You will gain experience of practical habitat management across both sites as well as ecological surveying, leading volunteer work parties, invasive species control, livestock handling and infrastructure maintenance. You will have a dedicated mentor to guide your personal development throughout the internship and skills training will be provided.

The aim of our internships is to build skills to help people gain the experience necessary towards a career, primarily in conservation. We are looking for individuals who are interested in saving nature and with the energy to learn. We are not looking for experts in conservation, or even people with lots of experience, if you are new to the sector, changing careers or looking for a new challenge, this could be for you.

18+, IT literate, driving licence are essential

Some desirable skills include:

• Basic IT skills
• Experience spending time outdoors in nature
• Communication skills
• Planning and organisational skills

Applications should include:

• Why you want to take on a Volunteer Intern role with the RSPB.
• Your experience, achievements, knowledge, personal qualities and skills that you feel are relevant to what we are asking for.

This role is suited to someone looking to change their career, or someone who is just starting out. If you want to work in nature conservation, internships are volunteering opportunities that are created around your needs as much as the needs of the RSPB. You will have a say in your own development, you can work with your line manager to develop the skills you need. You will learn all about how environmental charities work to save nature and start to figure out what area of work is most suited to you.