Are you able to deliver fantastic customer service, and would you like to work for an organisation that is making a big difference to our natural world? We are looking for an enthusiastic and hard-working people-person to help work in our cafe, shop, and general visitor areas at RSPB Arne on a zero-hours basis.

RSPB Arne is a beautiful site consisting of a patchwork of habitats. Although famous for its dry and wet lowland heath you can also find ancient oak woodland, farmland, reedbed, mudflats, scrub, wet woodland, acid grassland and even sandy beaches. Spanning over 600 hectares this mix of habitats is one of the reasons that Arne is home to such a huge variety of species. The lowland heathland offers homes for reptiles and rare insects and Arne remains one of the few places in the UK where all six of the UK's native reptiles can be found. Situated on Poole Harbour and within the Dorset Area of Natural Beauty it really is a stunning place.

About the Role

Our work in the the Visitor Operations is planned via the use of rotas and would include weekend working. Full induction and training would be provided, 

Our cafe and Visitor Operations are a crucial part of what we do here, encouraging visitors to explore the reserve, and giving them a great visitor experience.

You will be able to communicate well with our visitors and offer excellent levels of customer care. Duties will predominantly be in our busy cafe and shop areas but will also include some general visitor services such as supporting events planning and working in the busy Welcome area..

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• GCSE Maths and English or equivalent.
• Basic food hygiene knowledge
• Computer literate.
• Enthusiastic approach to work.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads.
• Multitasking skills
• Problem-solving skills and ability to work on own initiative.
• Ability to manage and respond quickly and positively to customer needs and feedback.
• Ability to work as part of a team.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience of working at a catering environment/visitor attraction. 
• Knowledge of health and safety in the workplace.
• Knowledge of food and foodservice skills.
• Till operation and payment handling.

This is a fixed-term, zero hours contract for 6 months, and shifts will be variable according to seasonal fluctuations. The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position as soon as suitable candidates present themselves, so please do not delay in applying For further information please contact arne@rspb.org.uk 

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

Please note that we are actively recruiting for this position, and reserve the right to close the vacancy once sufficient applications have been received.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.