Cafe Assistant

Seasonal Part Time Café Assistant
Reference: JUN 2026 3632
Contract: 9 weeks
Hours: Part-Time, 7 – 7.5 hours per week
Location: RSPB Saltholme, TS2
Salary: £13.45 - £14.36 Per Hour
Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual Leave (pro rata)

Are you passionate about providing excellent customer service? Would you like to be part of an organisation working to protect and restore our natural world?

We’re looking for two Seasonal Centre Assistants to join our friendly café team at RSPB Saltholme.

About RSPB Saltholme

RSPB Saltholme is a welcoming, family-friendly wetland reserve with accessible trails, a visitor centre, café, play area, wildlife hides and viewing areas designed to help people connect with nature. Throughout the year, the reserve supports a wide range of wildlife, from wetland birds to seasonal flowers and habitats, offering visitors a unique outdoor experience.

About the role

In this role, you will help deliver a high standard of customer service while supporting the day-to-day running of the café. This includes serving customers, preparing and handling food, and carrying out general café and kitchen duties in line with RSPB procedures.

You will work as part of a team to ensure the café is welcoming, efficient and safe for all visitors. Tasks may vary during busy periods, and support and training will be provided.

Working pattern:

We are recruiting for two Seasonal Centre Assistant roles. These roles involve daytime working, including weekends and Bank Holidays. Flexibility to work additional hours is required to ensure appropriate cover for annual leave and sickness across the café operation.

Role 1 - 7.5 hours on Tuesdays, contract length 9 weeks. 
Role 2 - 7 hours - Monday 3 hours and Wednesday 4 hours, contract length 9 weeks.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Demonstrates consistent reliability and a proactive, positive approach to completing tasks, evidenced by meeting agreed shift responsibilities and responding constructively to changing service demands.
• Applies food hygiene and safety practices in line with recognised standards (e.g. safe food storage, preparation, cleaning routines), demonstrated through adherence to procedures or relevant training/experience.
• Communicates clearly and effectively with customers and colleagues, both verbally and in writing where required, to ensure accurate information sharing and high-quality service delivery.
• Identifies and resolves routine issues (e.g. customer queries, service delays) independently or escalates appropriately, using sound judgement and problem-solving skills.
• Delivers customer-focused service by actively responding to customer needs and feedback in a timely and professional manner.
• Works effectively under pressure, maintaining accuracy and service quality while meeting busy or target-driven operational demands.
• Accurately handles transactions, including operating tills or payment systems, processing different payment methods, and balancing/cashing up in line with procedures.
• Collaborates effectively as part of a team, contributing to shared tasks, supporting colleagues, and maintaining a respectful and inclusive working environment.
• Demonstrates practical knowledge of food preparation and service, applying safe and efficient methods appropriate to a café, bar, or similar hospitality setting.
• Uses basic digital or computer-based systems (e.g. tills, ordering systems, or schedules) to support day-to-day operations, with the ability to learn new systems as needed.

Additional Information: 
These are Fixed-Term Part-Time roles. 
The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make the roles permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

Closing date: 23:59, Sunday 12th July 2026
We are looking to conduct interviews for these positions as soon as suitable candidates present themselves, so please do not delay in applying.
We reserve the right to close once sufficient applications have been received.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

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.

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.

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

Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

No agencies please.