Centre Assistant
Reference: APR (Apply online only)
Location: RSPB Fairburn Ings, WF10
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Part-Time hours, from 8 hours per week
Salary: £26,228.00 - £27,999.00 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 the visitor centre and shop at our Fairburn Ings reserve.
Nestled between Leeds, York and Wakefield, Fairburn Ings is an exciting site for family activities and excellent wildlife watching. Over the last 60 years, Fairburn Ings has transitioned from coal face to wild place. An ex-industrial site rich in heritage, this reserve is now an important site for breeding and wintering wildfowl.
About the Role
Our work in the visitor centre is planned via the use of rotas and would include weekend working. Full induction and training would be provided, with opportunities to learn about the running of a busy visitor centre and nature reserve operation.
Our shop and welcome 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 support our retail team, helping to serve customers, and undertaking duties typical of a busy shop and retail operation - which includes a small food and drink offer.
You will be able to communicate well with our visitors and offer excellent levels of customer care. Other duties will include working on our meet and greet operation, welcoming visitors to the reserve, giving out information, and encouraging visitors to support our work.
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 in a retail environment/visitor attraction.
* Knowledge of health and safety in the workplace.
* Knowledge of food and foodservice skills.
* Knowledge of stock control systems and visual merchandising
* Till operation and payment handling.
Additional Information:
This is a Permanent Part-Time role for a minimum of 6 hours per week.
* Summer hours (Apr-Oct): 18 per week
* Winter Hours (Nov-Mar): 6 per week
Closing date: 23:59, Sunday 17th May 2026
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from w/c 18th May 2026.
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 you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete a short 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