At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in our café and visitor centre, providing excellent customer service.
- Company: Join the RSPB, a leading conservation charity dedicated to protecting nature.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension scheme, life assurance, and 26 days of annual leave.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in a vibrant environment while making a positive impact on visitors' experiences.
- Qualifications: GCSE Maths and English or equivalent; basic food hygiene knowledge preferred.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for training and development in a supportive team.
Read all the information about this opportunity carefully, then use the application button below to send your CV and application.
Reference: JUN20250823
Location: Sherwood and Budby South
Salary: £12.00 - £12.88 Per Hour
Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual Leave
Are you able to deliver fantastic customer service? We are looking for an enthusiastic and hard-working people person, to help work in our cafe and visitor centre at our Sherwood Forest Reserve.
Our work in the visitor centre is planned via the use of rotas, we are open all year round so you will need to be flexible and available to work weekends, bank holidays and during the week.
We are looking for someone who will be able to work the following pattern:
- Summer off peak (1st April-30th September, excluding holidays): working Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (12 hours per week).
- Summer peak (Holidays between 1st April-30th September): working Monday, Friday, Saturday (17 hours per week).
- Winter off peak (1st October-31st March, excluding holidays): working Saturday (4 hours per week).
- Winter peak (Holidays between 1st October-31st March): working Friday, Sunday (9 hours per week).
This role is a permanent position working all year around on the pattern indicated above. Full induction and training will be provided, with opportunities to learn about the running of a busy visitor centre and nature reserve operation.
You will be working in our visitor centre, indoors and outdoors, helping to give a warm welcome to our visitors and assisting with the day-to-day running of our operations. Our café and shop 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 working in our café, serving customers food and drink, operating the till, preparing food, as well as maintaining the appearance of the café and stock levels, processing deliveries and following hygiene and health and safety regulations. You will also support our other visitor centre teams, helping to serve customers, and undertaking other duties typical of a busy visitor centre.
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 at a catering environment/visitor attraction.
- Knowledge of health and safety in the workplace.
- Knowledge of food and foodservice skills.
- Till operation and payment handling.
Closing date: 23:59, Tue, 1st Jul 2025
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position as soon as suitable candidates present themselves, so please do not delay in applying. Please note that we are actively recruiting for this vacancy and reserve the right to close once sufficient applications have been received.
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 natures 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.
Centre Assistant - Part-Time employer: RSPB
Contact Detail:
RSPB Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Centre Assistant - Part-Time
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Sherwood Forest Reserve and its visitor centre. Understanding the location and its offerings will help you engage with visitors more effectively and show your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your customer service skills during any interactions. Since this role is heavily focused on providing a great experience for visitors, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully handled customer queries or complaints in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Be flexible with your availability. The job requires working weekends and bank holidays, so emphasising your willingness to adapt your schedule can make you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase any relevant experience in food service or visitor attractions. If you have worked in similar environments before, mention specific tasks you performed that relate to the duties outlined in the job description.
We think you need these skills to ace Centre Assistant - Part-Time
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that match the job description. Emphasise your customer service abilities, any experience in catering or visitor attractions, and your communication skills.
Write a Cover Letter: If you choose to include a cover letter, use it to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Mention specific reasons why you want to work at the visitor centre and how your skills align with their needs.
Highlight Flexibility: Since the role requires flexibility in working hours, make sure to mention your availability clearly in your application. Specify your willingness to work weekends, bank holidays, and during peak times.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at RSPB
✨Show Your Customer Service Skills
Since this role is all about delivering fantastic customer service, be prepared to share examples of how you've provided excellent service in the past. Think of specific situations where you went above and beyond for a customer.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility
The job requires working various shifts, including weekends and bank holidays. Highlight your availability and willingness to adapt to different schedules during the interview to show that you're a team player.
✨Know the Basics of Food Hygiene
Having basic food hygiene knowledge is essential for this role. Brush up on key principles and be ready to discuss them, as it shows your commitment to maintaining high standards in the café.
✨Prepare for Teamwork Questions
This position involves working closely with others. Be ready to answer questions about your experience in a team setting, including how you handle conflicts or support your colleagues during busy times.