Skomer Island Long-Term Volunteering

Skomer Island Long-Term Volunteering

Long-term volunteers with staff and weekly volunteers - © WTSWW

2025 applications will open here on 1st January 2025. Please see below for application details.
Please note, application forms will appear below on 1st January.

2025 Positions

2025 applications will open here on 1st January 2025.

We have three Long-Term Volunteer positions in 2025:

  • 2 positions Saturday 29th March - Saturday 5th July
  • 1 position Saturday 5th July - Saturday 27th September

We also have one Seabird Monitoring Volunteer position in 2025:

  • 1 position Saturday 24th May - Monday 23rd June 

Please see below for application details. Please note, application forms will appear below on 1st January.

Long-Term Volunteering Person Specification

Seabird Monitoring Volunteer Person Specification

About Long-Term Volunteering

  • 2 positions Saturday 29th March - Saturday 5th July
  • 1 position Saturday 5th July - Saturday 27th September

What would you be doing?

Our long-term volunteers form an integral part of the island team. They assist with the day-to-day running of the island and support the wardens, visitor officer and field worker with visitor engagement and wildlife monitoring.

Successful applicants will gain experience in visitor engagement and monitoring techniques (i.e. seabirds, breeding birds, butterflies, moths, marine mammals, etc.) on a National Nature Reserve. Additionally, long-term volunteers will gain experience in path and infrastructure maintenance with training being provided in the use of relevant tools and equipment.

How will the different times of year differ?

In Spring, the focus is on our breeding seabirds - so that'll mean Puffin counts and assisting with boat counts of seabird species. In Summer, the focus moves to chick productivity, whilst in Autumn the focus of our work is on Grey Seal monitoring and some of our other species including Skomer Voles, reptiles, cetaceans and moths. Otherwise, you'll get a similar experience in any position.

What are the benefits of volunteering here?

We're worked hard to make volunteering with us cost neutral. As such, you will receive:

- Free accommodation (including bills) on Skomer.

- Travel expenses to and from Skomer (from within the UK).

- We have a training budget for our long-term volunteers. Training provided will vary depending on the time of year, however may include a brushcutter or first aid course.

- A £350 bursary is also available from the Friends of Skokholm and Skomer upon completion of a report which will be included in their newsletter.

How to apply?

Please complete the relevant application form. Your answers should reflect why you are interested in this position, what you could bring to the island team and what you hope to gain from this experience. Please note that cover letters and CVs should not be included as part of your application.

All completed application forms should be sent to skomer.volunteer@welshwildlife.org by 23:59 on Friday 31st January. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

Please use ‘Long Term Volunteering’ and your name as the subject of your email and title of your attached form.

We welcome applications from under-represented groups. Please see our website for how we promote accessibility and inclusivity.

For any queries regarding long-term volunteering, please email skomer.volunteer@welshwildlife.org.

We look forward to receiving your application. Pob lwc!

About Seabird Monitoring Volunteer

  • 1 position Saturday 24th May - Monday 23rd June 

What would you be doing?

Our seabird monitoring volunteer forms an integral part of the island team, assisting with seasonal monitoring of our internationally important seabird populations.

The successful applicant will gain experience in seabird monitoring techniques using JNCC methodologies on a National Nature Reserve. Additionally, you will gain experience in the use and operation of VHF radios and working on the island boat, with training being provided in the use of relevant equipment.

What are the benefits of volunteering here?

We're worked hard to make volunteering with us cost neutral. As such, you will receive:

- Free accommodation (including bills) on Skomer.

- Travel expenses to and from Skomer (from within the UK).

- We have a training budget for our seabird monitoring volunteer. Training provided will vary but will most likely be Powerboat Level 2.

- A £250 bursary is also available from the Friends of Skokholm and Skomer upon completion of a report which will be included in their newsletter.

How to apply?

Please complete the relevant application form. Your answers should reflect why you are interested in this position, what you could bring to the island team and what you hope to gain from this experience. Please note that cover letters and CVs should not be included as part of your application.

All completed application forms should be sent to skomer.volunteer@welshwildlife.org by 23:59 on Friday 21st February. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

Please use ‘Seabird Monitoring Volunteer’ and your name as the subject of your email and title of your attached form.

We welcome applications from under-represented groups. Please see our website for how we promote accessibility and inclusivity.

For any queries regarding long-term volunteering, please email skomer.volunteer@welshwildlife.org. We look forward to receiving your application. Pob lwc!

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For any queries, please email skomer.volunteer@welshwildlife.org.