Centre Assistant

Centre Assistant
Location: RSPB Arne, BH20
Contract: 6 months Fixed-Term
Hours: Part-Time, 4 hours per week (Saturday + overtime opportunities)
Salary: £26,228.00 - £27,999.00 Per Annum, Pro Rata
Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual Leave

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 and shop at our Arne Reserve.

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 You and the Role

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

The work in the shop and cafe is planned via the use of rotas. This seasonal role will have fixed hours on a Saturday and additional hours on other days, as and when needed.

You will be able to communicate well with our visitors and offer excellent levels of customer care. You will be part of our cafe and retail teams, helping to serve customers, and undertaking other duties typical of a busy cafe and kitchen operation. Duties may also include working on our meet and greet operation, welcoming visitors to the reserve, giving out information, and encouraging visitors to support our work.

Essential criteria

• Basic numeracy and literacy skills - Demonstrates the ability to understand written information and communicate clearly. Qualifications such as GCSE Maths and English or equivalent experience are welcome.
• Understanding of safe food handling - Awareness of basic food hygiene practices, or willingness to complete training.
• Confidence using digital tools - Able to use computers or digital devices for everyday tasks such as email, record-keeping, or accessing information.
• Positive and enthusiastic approach to work - Shows motivation, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.
• Clear verbal and written communication - Able to communicate information in a friendly, respectful, and accessible way.
• Ability to plan and prioritise tasks - Organises workload effectively and adapts when priorities change.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks - Handles different responsibilities in a calm and organised manner.
• Problem-solving and initiative - Identifies solutions, makes informed decisions, and works independently when needed.
• Responsive and inclusive customer service - Engages positively with customers, listens to feedback, and responds in a supportive and timely way.
• Collaborative team working - Works well with others, contributes to a positive team culture, and values diverse perspectives.
• Experience in customer-facing or catering environments - Experience gained through paid work, volunteering, community events, or similar settings where food, visitors, or customer service were involved.
• Understanding of workplace health and safety - Awareness of safe working practices, or willingness to undertake training to meet required standards.
• Knowledge of food preparation or service - Familiarity with food handling, preparation, or service tasks, or enthusiasm to learn these skills with support.
• Ability to handle payments and use tills or digital systems - Comfortable operating a till, card machine, or similar system, or willing to learn with training.

Additional Information:

• This is a 6 month Fixed-Term Part-Time role for 4 hours per week.
• Full induction and training would be provided, with opportunities to learn about the running of a busy nature reserve operation.

Closing date: 23:59, Thursday, 2nd July 2026
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position as we receive applications so please don't wait!

Interested?

If you would like to apply and find out more about this position, please click the apply button to be directed to our website.

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 you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete a form. If you wish to provide a cover letter with your application, please include this at the end of your CV document upload.

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

No agencies please.