Overall purpose of the role

To assist the reserve team in the effective day to day management of Insh Marshes and Ballinlaggan reserves in accordance with their management plans. To develop your skills to aid applications for future employment within the conservation sector.

In this role you will gain: • First hand experience of working on nature reserves with diverse habitats ranging from

wetland to woodland

• Training specific to your role including relevant machinery qualifications

• Training & experience in specialist computer applications eg Merlin

• Experience of working in a team and supervising other volunteers

• Development of interpersonal skills through face to face engagement with visitors to the reserve

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Residential Volunteer internship placement information: Reserve Warden, Insh Marshes June 2016 to June 2017

• A working knowledge of the RSPB and conservation issues

• Free accommodation right on the edge of the best natural floodplain in Britain!

• A dedicated mentor who will monitor your progress and help with personal development throughout the placement

• Training on CV writing and interview techniques

Photo: Insh Marshes by Andy Hay

Main duties

Help reserve staff implement the work programme of habitat management and estate work e.g. management of wetland, woodland and scrub habitats

Collect and collate biological records relating to the reserves e.g. breeding and wintering wildfowl and waders, general bird monitoring, checking goldeneye nest boxes, monitoring of non-bird taxa e.g. butterflies and moths. Maintaining wildlife records.

Help maintain a high quality of presentation for all visitor facilities and estate fabric, including two hides, information viewpoint, footpaths, car park, fences and other infrastructure. Maintain workshop, tools, vehicles and other equipment as directed by reserve staff in line with service schedules and to health and safety standards. Ensure that work records are maintained.

Prepare reports, documents and undertake administration as necessary e.g. reserves bulletin; enter wildlife data in Merlin.

Carry out all reserve operations in line with health and safety legislation and RSPB health & safety policy e.g. employing safe working practice for all operations; communicating and implementing risk assessments for volunteer tasks; carrying out routine H&S checks; ensuring all accidents are entered in the accident report book and bringing any reportable injuries to the attention of the warden.

Play an active role in the efficient operation of the team e.g. helping the site staff organise the volunteer work programme; supervising other volunteers as appropriate. Deputise for other members of the team when directed, and as appropriate. Liaise with other North Scotland staff.

Attend relevant training courses as agreed with line manager and as appropriate to the reserve and its work programme.

Photo: Insh Marshes by Gareth Shelley

Development This scheme is designed to give you the training and experience needed for a career in conservation. We will do everything we can to add to your personal development and progression towards a conservation career, but it is also important that you take advantage of the opportunities that will arise during the placement to learn new skills, gain new experiences and increase your conservation knowledge.

Testimonial from Phil Dowling – Insh Marshes 2013-14 intern. “I became an intern at Insh Marshes reserve at the beginning of November 2013 for 8 months. During this time I gained hands on experience in an array of practical management tasks around the reserve such as fence building, scrub bashing and tree planting. I was also involved in a variety of different tasks and projects such as surveying wading birds, WeBS and Hen harrier roost counts, moth trapping and Goldeneye nestbox monitoring. As well as this I undertook projects investigating Lapwing productivity and Aspen clone mapping on the reserve. I was lucky enough to be sent on several training courses; 4x4 off-road driving, quad-bike driving, tractor driving and safe use of pesticides. These qualifications and the work experience I gained proved to be of great use whilst working on the reserve but have made me much more employable for the future. The team at Insh made me feel very welcome from the beginning and I found it very easy to settle in, it’s a great place to work and I’m looking forward to continuing my conservation career after this great start. I currently have a short-term paid contract at Insh Marshes doing tractor work”. (Update: Following his Insh Marshes contract, Phil was given a 6-month contract with RSPB as Warden, Central Highland Reserves and is currently working for Scottish Natural Heritage)

Testimonial from Clare McInroy – Insh Marshes 2014-2015 intern.

“I began my internship at the end of October 2014 and have been within the role for 5 months. It has been an incredible experience where I have had the chance to learn hands-on skills that I had never had an opportunity to do before. Alongside tree planting and scrub bashing, I have also learnt the valuable skills of fencing and drystone walling. The ability to improve my birding has come in the form of various surveys including Wetland Bird Survey and hen harrier roost counts. The team have been great to work with and very interested in including me in the variety of tasks they undertake when managing the reserve. Spring is approaching and the sound of lapwing and curlew are calling around the reserve. It’s been an unforgettable experience.”

(Clare finished her internship early to take up a paid contract with RSPB as Strathspey Wader Survey Co-ordinator and is currently Red Squirrel Project Officer with Scottish Wildlife Trust)

Skills required

Essential: Qualifications

Standard grades/GCSEs or above

Aged 18 or over

A full clean driving licence is essential

Skills/abilities/knowledge You will need...

Some practical estate management skills

Wildlife identification skills

Ability to lift and carry heavy loads (e.g. fence posts) and undertake sometimes strenuous physical activities on rough terrain

Willingness to work outside in a range of weather conditions

Good computing and reporting skills

(Photo: volunteer checking mink raft by Gareth Shelley) Behaviours/circumstances You will need to be...

Passionate about wildlife conservation

Able to work under own initiative and as part of a small team

Able to organise, supervise and motivate other volunteers

Discreet regarding confidential information

Able to travel without the use of public transport i.e. driving licence essential

A good communicator, both verbal and written

Flexible in outlook and enjoy team working

Cheerful and outgoing

Keen to learn and develop self Desirable:

Some understanding of the management of a variety of UK habitats

Knowledge of species and habitat ecology

Some knowledge and experience of wildlife survey techniques

Some experience of volunteering in the conservation sector

Location and accommodation Free accommodation, including utilities, is provided with this volunteer internship. You will be based at Ivy Cottage in the small village of Insh overlooking the reserve. Insh Marshes is the biggest and best example of a natural floodplain in Britain and is flanked by the stunning Cairngorm and Monadhliath mountain ranges of the Cairngorms National Park. It is home to a fantastic array of wildlife, including breeding waders, spotted crakes, osprey, and wintering birds such as whooper swan and hen harrier. It is nationally important for its floodplain habitats. Plants include 26 species of sedge including the extremely rare string sedge. The reserve is also significant for its aspen woodland which hosts numerous rare fungi, lichens and bryophytes as well as the rare UKBAP Aspen Hoverfly and Dark Bordered Beauty Moth. The reserve makes up the bulk of the River Spey and Insh Marshes Special Area of Conservation which is designated primarily for otters, Atlantic salmon and Sea Lampreys. You will need to be able to provide your own food and other living costs, including travel to and from the reserve at the start and end of your placement . You will have your own bedroom but will share facilities with other volunteers. The accommodation is fully equipped with central heating, wood-burning stove, a shower, gas cooker, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, iron, television (with DVD player), bedding, pots, pans, crockery and cutlery. In Kincraig (4 miles away) there is a corner shop/post office and bars. In Kingussie (5 miles away) there is a supermarket, post office, bank, chip shops, Chinese takeaway and bars. Aviemore, which boasts further attractions, such as a cinema, swimming pool and nightclub, is 12 miles away.

How to apply Return completed application forms to: Insh Marshes Volunteer Intern vacancy, FAO Kim Dawson/Claire Devlin, RSPB, Etive House, Beechwood Park, Inverness IV2 3BW or e-mail them to nsro@rspb.org.uk FAO Kim Dawson/Claire Devlin. The closing date for applications is Sunday 24th April and interviews will be held on Wednesday 18th May with a potential start date of Monday 13th June 2016. Enclose a CV with your completed application form if you wish. Please ensure that information within your application takes into account the Person Specification. For more information about RSPB and Insh Marshes reserve visit www.rspb.org.uk. If you have any further queries or wish to chat about this vacancy, please contact Pete Moore (Warden) or Cat Owen-Pam Assistant Warden on 01540 661518 or e-mail insh@rspb.org.uk.

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