When Essex Wildlife Trust bought the site in the 1970’s, it was a barren lunar landscape and some very dedicated people set about changing and developing it into the wonderful mosaic of different habitats we see today: grassland, gorse heathland, reedbeds, ponds, meadows, scrub. The nature reserve is now a Site Special Scientific Interest, a wildlife haven of over 200 acres (80 hectares) hosting up to 200 species of birds, 27 species of dragonflies and damselflies, 24 species of butterfly, 350 species of flowering plants, as well as Adders, Badgers and many other animals.

The Nature Discovery Centre offers an opportunity to discover the wildlife within the park whilst enjoying refreshments and a gift shop, run by a friendly team and wonderful volunteers who are passionate about providing fantastic customer service. 

As a Casual Centre Assistant, the role will include serving customers in both retail and food and beverage areas, operating tills, and preparing drinks using the barista machine. Responsibilities also include maintaining a clean and organised environment and restocking shelves. You will work closely with our dedicated volunteers, who are passionate about supporting the Trust’s mission. All revenue generated from our visitor centres directly funds vital conservation work across our reserves in Essex.

Working as part of a visitor centre team, the post holder will need to be a team player who can engage in a welcoming and professional way with our visitors - ensuring excellent customer service is always at the forefront. 

We are looking for a friendly individual with an interest in customer service to join Essex Wildlife Trust in this visitor engagement role. 

There are no set hours under a casual contract and any available hours are made available to accept or decline. 

Casual hours available will usually be being the hours of 9am and 5pm, Monday to Sunday, all-year round. The majority of available hours are likely to be during School Holidays and weekend opening hours.

The role comes with an hourly rate of £11.44. To apply, please complete an application form via our website by 9:00am on Tuesday 15 October 2024. 

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to offering an interview to anyone with a disability that meets all the essential criteria for the post. Please let us know if you require any adjustments to make our recruitment process more accessible. 

Essex Wildlife Trust is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone is welcome. As a conservation charity, we know how important diversity is, both in our natural world and amongst the people we employ. We want everyone to feel valued and empowered to contribute to our vision of “A county rich in wildlife with people connected to nature”.