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- Tasks: Join us as a Centre Assistant, serving customers and ensuring a fantastic visitor experience.
- Company: Be part of the RSPB, a leading conservation charity dedicated to protecting nature.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension scheme, life assurance, and 26 days' annual leave.
- Why this job: Work in a vibrant environment, meet new people, and contribute to nature conservation.
- Qualifications: GCSE Maths and English or equivalent; basic food hygiene knowledge preferred.
- Other info: Flexible hours with training provided; we value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
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'll 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 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.
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 operations. Understanding the environment and the services offered will help you engage more effectively during interviews and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous customer service experience you have, especially in a café or visitor attraction setting. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've handled customer interactions and resolved issues.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your flexibility and willingness to work varied hours, including weekends and bank holidays. This is crucial for the role, so be prepared to discuss your availability openly during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on basic food hygiene and health and safety regulations. Being knowledgeable in these areas will not only boost your confidence but also show that you're serious about maintaining high standards in the café.
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, especially in customer service and catering environments. Emphasise any skills that match the job description, such as communication, multitasking, and problem-solving.
Craft a Compelling 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 and bank holidays as required.
Showcase Relevant Skills: In your application, highlight any experience or knowledge related to food hygiene, health and safety regulations, and till operation. This will demonstrate your readiness for the responsibilities of the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at RSPB
✨Show Your Enthusiasm
Make sure to express your passion for customer service and working in a visitor centre. Share specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond to help customers in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility
Since the role requires working various shifts, highlight your availability and willingness to adapt to different schedules. Mention any past experiences where you successfully managed changing work patterns.
✨Highlight Relevant Skills
Discuss your experience with food hygiene, till operation, and customer service. If you have any knowledge of health and safety regulations, be sure to mention that as well, as it’s crucial for this position.
✨Prepare for Teamwork Questions
Be ready to talk about your ability to work as part of a team. Prepare examples of how you've collaborated with others in busy environments, especially in catering or visitor attractions.
