About the Role

Skomer Island is the largest seabird colony in southern Britain, supporting the world’s largest colony of Manx shearwaters as well as nationally and internationally important numbers of puffin, razorbill, guillemot, kittiwake, fulmar and lesser black-backed, herring and great black-backed gulls. The waters around the island are designated as a Marine Conservation Zone and, on land, Skomer is one of the largest breeding sites in Wales for short-eared owls and the last place in Pembrokeshire where curlew breed.

If you can identify British seabirds and demonstrate some knowledge of seabird and marine ecology then this could be the early career experience you are looking for! We’re seeking someone who can demonstrate experience of wildlife survey and monitoring techniques and data collection, and would embrace the chance to live on the island for four months.

You’ll also be an enthusiastic ambassador for the island and the marine environment, willing and confident to share information with day trippers, Wildlife Trust supporters and other stakeholders. 

Main Responsibilities

• Engaging with day trippers, including delivery of welcome talks and ensuring safe arrival and departure from the island. Responding to general enquiries.
• Guide educational groups visiting Skomer on day trips when requested.
• Assist with residential events on Skomer for under-represented groups, including young people.
• Wildlife monitoring and recording to include; breeding bird surveys, seabird census, seabird productivity monitoring, vegetation surveys and mapping ground nesting birds.
• Monthly biosecurity checks
• Lead volunteers when required
• Maintenance of buildings, infrastructure and vehicles.
• Path maintenance and practical estate work.
• Report on grant funded activities in a monthly progress update as required by WTSWW and the grant funders.
• Share news and stories about the island, marine wildlife and the wider marine environment in blogs and content for our supporter’s newsletters.
• Liaise with contractors and other members of WTSWW staff working on Skomer.

For further detail, please see job description and person specification below.

Key Dates

Please send your completed application form to info@welshwildlife.org with the job title as the subject line. Please be aware we may not accept applications if we have reason to believe they have been wholly produced using generative AI tools. 

Application closing date: Friday 13th February, 10am 

Interview date: Friday 20th February, via video conference. 

If you haven’t received any communication from us after Wednesday 18th February your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. 

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusivity. We are particularly keen to increase the diversity of our staff, volunteers and supporters. We welcome applications from people from groups which are underrepresented in the conservation sector, particularly people from minority ethnic groups, people with disabilities and people from low-socioeconomic backgrounds. Even if you do not feel you meet all the criteria, please do submit an application. We can provide training and support to the right candidate. 

As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we are committed to offering an interview to anyone with a disability that meets all the essential criteria for the post. Please let us know if you require any adjustments to make our recruitment process more accessible.

You must be a UK citizen to apply for this role.