Nature Tourism and Visitor Experience Internship

Get on well with people?  Want to do your bit for conservation but not necessarily be cold and wet?  Like passing on your enthusiasm for wildlife to others?

We have 4 residential volunteer internships starting in March 2015 at RSPB nature reserves Coombes Valley, Fairburn Ings, Leighton Moss and Old Moor for trainee visitor experience officers.

What you get

You'll spend 6 or 12 months living and working in a fantastic place, with fantastic people gaining experience in every aspect of the work of a RSPB Visitor Experience Officer.  You will develop an excellent all-round understanding of what it is to work as part of a team on one of the RSPB's nature reserves. In particular you'll gain experience of environmental visitor services, the planning, delivery and promotion of a busy events programme.  Interns can expect to gain some experience working with the media and supervising other volunteers. 

Free accommodation is available in a stunning location on the reserve as well as training in areas related to this job. 

What you need

Good people and communication skills and an approachable personality are essential for this role, as is the ability to work as part of a team. Specialist knowledge is not necessary, but an enthusiasm for wildlife and an interest in conservation is.

Jennifer Lane, Intern in 2014 says "For anyone thinking about residential volunteering, my advice would be – Go For It!

During my time at Leighton Moss I have seen rare and fascinating butterflies, held baby barn owls and observed the night sky at its clearest. Being in the heart of the countryside taught me so much about the world I live in and who I want to be.

I feel like I have gained a wide knowledge of all things RSPB, exploring all facets of the charity: ways to promote the reserve, engage with the general public, as well as writing for Bird Life and other magazines. My knowledge of wildlife has easily quadrupled, being able to interact with the countryside on a daily basis and learn from experts which I would not have been able to do anywhere else.

While there have certainly been challenges, undertaking the internship was one of the best decisions of my life. I have gained so many new skills, experiences and friends I will keep for life.

As a direct result of the internship I am now working for the RSPB in the Lancaster office. I am thrilled to work for an organisation I am proud of, and I couldn't ever imagine myself doing anything else!"

For more information

For information on the role, the reserves and the accommodation offered and for an application form, contact Kate Whitehead at kate.whitehead@RSPB.org.uk or telephone 01484 868405. 

The closing date is 4th March and interviews will be held at RSPB Old Moor on 12th March 2015.