JOB DESCRIPTION
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------IDENTIFICATION OF JOB
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Assistant Warden (Skomer Island)
TEAM
Skomer
WORKING BASE
Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire, Wales
RESPONSIBLE TO
Skomer Island Warden
RESPONSIBLE FOR
Volunteers
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assistant the Warden in the management of Skomer Island NNR
 Be a key team member in the running of day trips to the island
 With assistance from the warden manage a work programme for a team of up to 6 volunteers
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
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Visitor management of day trippers, including delivery of introductory visitor talks, transportation of
luggage, guided walks, dealing with general enquiries at all times and completing the evening
wildlife log
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Organising work programmes and day to day supervision and training of volunteers on Skomer
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Biological recording and monitoring on Skomer including whole island seabird counts, butterfly
transects, breeding bird surveys, grey seal monitoring and/or any specialist areas you may have or
want to develop
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Checks of the buildings and other estate furniture and carrying out cleaning, maintenance and
repairs
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Practical estate work, habitat management
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As required, deputise for the Warden on Skokholm (training will be provided)
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As required, deputise for the Warden on Skomer during periods of absence
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Ensure Health and Safety Policy is complied with at all times
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Provide cover during emergencies, respond to accidents, administer First Aid and complete
appropriate paperwork
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Liaise with contractors and other members of WTSWW staff working on Skomer
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In order for the organisation to work efficiently, you may be required to assist with other areas of
work and therefore you should be prepared to undertake other duties appropriate to the post, as
delegated by your line manager
B Bueche, Skomer Warden
October 2013
JOB SPECIFICATION
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This is a fixed term contract for 8 months from 1st March – 31st October 2014
The salary will be £13,000 pa pro rata
Accommodation provided on the island as is boat travel to the island
The successful applicant will be expected to provide their own food
A full driving licence and relevant competency is required for tractor use and RYA Powerboat
Level 2 for boat use
Skomer Island is owned by Natural Resources Wales but managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and
West Wales. Skomer supports perhaps up to 75% of the world’s breeding population of Manx
Shearwaters, in addition to the largest Puffin colony in southern Britain and the largest populations of
Kittiwake, Guillemot and Razorbill in Wales. As well as being a NNR, the island lies within Wales’ only
Marine Nature Reserve, is part of the Pembrokeshire Islands Marine Special Area of Conservation, and
along with adjacent Skokholm Island is a Special Protection Area for its seabirds. In addition to its
importance in terms of natural heritage, Skomer is very important for its cultural heritage; most of the
island is a Scheduled Ancient Monument for the Iron Age remains, and the whole island identified as a
Landscape of Historic Importance. Over the years the island has proved to be a focus for artists and
writers as well as scientists and natural historians.
Skomer is visited by up to 300 visitors a day in the peak season, including educational groups,
overnight guests and many families; the facilities on Skomer enable visitors to stay as residential
visitors, to experience the spectacular night-time activity of the Manx Shearwaters.
The post holder has responsibility for routine operational delivery in the areas listed as main
responsibilities and is responsible to the warden. The role has a lot of interaction with the public, which
can be very demanding but is also rewarding. Skomer has lots of opportunity to give a broad range of
people amazing wildlife experiences. A key part of your role will be in helping to deliver this.
Because of the important seabird colonies on the island an extensive monitoring programme is carried
out. There are several field assistants and researchers on the island. The Warden has an annual
monitoring programme which will need your assistance and input. If the post holder has any specific
interests in certain taxa this will be encouraged/developed. You will have opportunities to develop
yourself by gaining experience with the various scientists who also live and work on the island. There is
also an extensive library on the island.
There will also be broad range of other tasks involved with habitat management and monitoring,
maintenance of the island infrastructure: including footpaths, hides, buildings and machinery.
Although extensive training will be given at the start of the role the post holder will need to be able to
make decisions independently and often quickly. Self-sufficiency is imperative. This will become easier
and quicker as your experience builds. On more complex matters you will liaise with the Skomer
Warden.
In order for Skomer Island to operate efficiently everyone must be prepared to cover each other’s
roles, this includes the Skomer Visitor Manager and the Field Assistant. Although working hours can
often be long (up to 48 hours per week) there is a flexible time off in lieu system in operation.
B Bueche, Skomer Warden
October 2013
PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE
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Assistant Warden – Skomer Island
TEAM
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Conservation
Essential
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Two years practical experience of nature conservation, reserve management and bird surveys
Knowledge of UK natural history, particularly birds, and of island ecology
Must enjoy working with the public and have the ability to get on with diverse groups of people
including boatmen, volunteers, researchers, school groups etc
Experience of supervising volunteers
Good verbal and communication skills
First Aid qualification
Knowledge of health and safety
High levels of enthusiasm, self-motivation and initiative
Experience of tractor and trailer driving
Experience of boat handling (preferably with RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate)
Experience of machinery maintenance
Fit and hardy nature, able to embrace living in a remote and exposed situation and work outside
in all extremes of weather
Flexible approach to working hours
Desirable
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Welsh/English Bilingual communication skills
How to apply
Please complete an application form from www.welshwildlife.org or ring 01656 724100
Cover letters and CVs will not be included as part of the application.
Completed forms should be emailed to [email protected] or posted to: Skomer
Wardens, Welsh Wildlife Centre, Cilgerran, Cardigan, SA43 2TB
Closing date for applicants: 17 January
Interview: 30 January
If you have not heard from us by the 25 January, assume you have not been invited to interview.
Please note we do not cover travel expenses for interview attendance.
Further information
To discuss details of the posts, please contact Bee Bueche or Ed Stubbings (Skomer Wardens) on
[email protected] or 07971 114302.
Alternatively contact Dr Lizzie Wilberforce on 07970 780553 or email on
[email protected].
B Bueche, Skomer Warden
October 2013