Nature Reserve Masterplan Coordinator

We are at the early stages of a project that aims to redevelop the visitor offer and wildlife spectacle at RSPB Scotland Lochwinnoch to produce a flagship RSPB visitor reserve, that will be a gem in the RSPB South Scotland Region known for its excellent visitor experience, from the facilities through to the wildlife spectacles and opportunities to get close to nature. We aim to deliver a nature reserve that not only meets high standards in terms of habitat management on a SSSI site, as well as the associated visitor experience, but one that also practices what the RSPB preaches. Whilst the visitor offer will be at the heart of this project, other key elements of this project will be: increasing the ability of the reserve to raise income; producing and using green energy; providing exemplary staff and volunteer welfare facilities. This is a complex and long-term project and we want to capture the ambition and various interlinked components in a masterplan that will enable us to convey these plans, secure support and apply to funders and consenting regimes. As well as enable us to produce this strategic document, we want the process to be inclusive and ensure the needs and aspirations of the key stakeholders help to shape our plans. We are looking for someone with the right skills, experience and enthusiasm to complement the staff team working on this project and lead on the masterplan process and production.

We are looking for a volunteer with specific professional skills and experience. You will have: • A qualification in Town and Country Planning or Landscape Architecture • Experience of undertaking masterplanning processes • Confidence in designing and facilitating co-design processes • Graphics and document design skills

Minimum:

Fully flexible hours, with time commitment to be agreed as part of process design and dependent on approach used. It is estimated this will be a minimum of 20 days work over this period.

Duration:

6-9 months

Period:

All year round

This will be an exciting opportunity to work as part of a team on an ambitious design project that aims to create a high-quality nature reserve for people and wildlife. Your work will be crucial to taking this project from a concept stage to the point where we can apply for the funds and permissions to start delivery. We hope this will provide an opportunity for a suitably qualified professional to apply their skills to a novel scenario – a nature reserve with charitable aims, rather than a traditional infrastructure or commercial project. You will work closely with the site staff, RSPB specialist staff (planner, ecologist, rural surveyor etc) and have the opportunity to learn more about how a nature conservation charity operates and manages land.

Contact

Zoe Clelland, At home
Tel:
Email: Zoe.Clelland@rspb.org.uk

Notes

We pay volunteer expenses and will cover any costs associated with the process or plan production. The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. We rely upon memberships and donations to fund our work. By volunteering your time and skills, you could make a real difference to the work of the RSPB. Nature is amazing – help us keep it that way.