Centre Assistant
Location: RSPB The Lodge (Gatehouse) Reserve, Sandy SG19
Hours: Part-Time, 17.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £26,228.00 - £27,999.00 Per Annum
Benefits: Holidays, Pension and Life Assurance
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 shop and café at our Lodge Reserve.
About The Lodge
The Lodge is home to the RSPB headquarters. The reserve has a visitor centre, shop, café and events programme. RSPB The lodge has a range of habitats including Heath and woodland and is home to many species including Natterjack toads, Ravens and over 600 species of fungi.
About the Role
Our work in the shop 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 cafe 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.
You will be able to communicate well with our visitors and offer excellent levels of customer care. Duties will include day to day running of the shop and cash handling, welcoming visitors to the reserve, giving out information, and encouraging visitors to support our work.
You will also support our cafe team, helping to serve customers, and undertaking other duties typical of a busy cafe and kitchen operation.
Essential skills, knowledge and experience:
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Ability to use basic IT systems (for example, tills, booking systems or stock management systems), or willingness to learn.
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Experience of cashing up tills and/or holding responsibility for opening, closing or securing premises.
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Basic awareness of food hygiene requirements, or willingness to complete relevant training.
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Positive approach to work, with a willingness to support a range of tasks as required.
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Ability to communicate effectively and provide a welcoming, helpful experience for visitors.
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Ability to plan, organise and prioritise workload effectively.
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Ability to work effectively in a busy environment and manage competing priorities.
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Proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues, seeking support when needed.
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Experience of delivering excellent customer service and responding positively to feedback.
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Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to support a positive visitor experience.
Additional Information
This is a Permanent Part-Time role for 17.5 hours per week covering alternate weekends and some days in the week. Plus potential for over time during busy periods or to cover holidays. Possible lone trading.
Closing date: 23:59, Sunday 4th October 2026
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 13th October 2026.
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. In the form please explain how you meet the criteria set above.
Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.
No agencies please
