EFS Monitoring Officer - Antrim Plateau

We are looking for a fieldworker to undertake a range of habitat and breeding wader surveys across a range of farmland habitats in the Antrim Hills, one of the last remaining strongholds for breeding waders in Northern Ireland.

Reference: JAN

Location:

Antrim Hills

Contract:

Fixed-term, 4 Months

Hours:

Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £27,123.00 - £28,956.00 Per Annum
Benefits:
Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual Leave

• Undertaking habitat surveys to assess the condition and suitability of breeding wader habitat.
• Conducting modified Brown and Shepard breeding wader surveys to identify and record breeding behaviour of key wader species.
• Timely and accurate reporting of data to an online portal and archiving of paper field sheets.
• Maintaining effective relationships with landowners, tenants and the public, to ensure effective project delivery.

• This survey work is part of the Antrim Hills Curlew Initiative (AHCI) a Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) funded project to create and maintain suitable breeding wader habitat in the Antrim Hills to safeguard breeding waders.

• Degree level qualification in a relevant subject or ability to show equivalent work experience.
• Sufficient understanding of species and habitats of the project area.
• A good knowledge of breeding wader ecology.
• An understanding of the Environmental Farming Scheme/Agri Environment Schemes.
• Ability to collect data in the field and record online.
• Ability to work effectively as a team player.
• Proficient at using Microsoft Office packages including Outlook, Excel & Word.
• Full driving licence.

• Demonstrable practical field skills of waders in breeding habitat, particularly of Curlew and Lapwing, by sight and sound.
• Competency in use of GIS.
• Understanding of the concept of landscape scale conservation and the pressures on land use in the operational area of this role.

• This is a Fixed-Term role (4 months) for 37.5 hours per week.
• This role will involve lone working, working in remote locations, across challenging terrain sometimes in inclement weather.
• This role will require weekend, early morning and evening working so will need someone who is able to be flexible.
• 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.

Closing: 23:59, Monday, 9th February 2026

To complete your application online please