The Assistant Warden’s role is to contribute to the effective operation of the BBO in accordance with the policies, procedures and directives set out by the BBO Management Committee and BirdLife Australia.

The Assistant Wardens reside on site at the BBO and undertake a broad range of duties necessary to ensure that guests experience the best visit possible – experience having shown that word of mouth is the best form of advertising. Working as volunteers in a small team in a remote location can make this role challenging. The role of Assistant Warden is however highly rewarding with many opportunities to interact with visitors, guests, local and international researchers in a stunning and truly unique locality.

Key duties (in order of priority)

Guest Management - Approximate percentage of time: 40%

• Interacting with day visitors and resident guests.
• Providing advice on bird watching opportunities in Roebuck Bay.
• Providing information to visitors to increase their understanding of the ecological dynamics of Roebuck Bay.
• Driving guests to and from Broome.
• After training, undertaking daily tours from the BBO, ensuring that all guests experience high quality and satisfying bird watching experiences.
• Supporting course leaders for the short and extended courses held at the BBO and in some circumstances prepare and make presentations.
• Preparation and cooking of meals for guests attending live-in courses held at the BBO.

Office Duties and Maintenance - Approximate percentage of time: 50%

• Office duties and facilities maintenance
• Operating the booking service for accommodation, campsite, courses and visits.
• Operating the small retail shop.
• Monitoring and updating BBO social media.
• Maintaining appropriate statistics for use by the BBO.
• Writing articles for BBO blogs, WA Bird Notes and other relevant journals.
• Ensuring that the facilities, grounds and equipment are at all times maintained to the high standards of cleanliness, safety and tidiness expected by fee-paying guests. This includes the cleaning and making up of rooms and other facilities as part of a roster system, directed by the warden.

Support For Research Activities - Approximate percentage of time: 10%

There are excellent research opportunities in Roebuck Bay. The role of the BBO staff is to not necessarily lead research themselves, but to support the work of visiting researchers to ensure that the BBO continues to be recognised as a research centre of excellence. Duties may include:

• Participation during Migration Watch from the beginning of March until early May, participating in ongoing research projects as they arise e.g. mud sampling, mist netting at sites of continuous effort and cannon netting.
• Continuing observations in projects established by visiting researchers.

Working relationships

The incumbent is required to work as a positive team member and contribute to the overall objectives of the Broome Bird Observatory and BirdLife Australia.

• Internal contacts - Wardens, members of the BBO Management Committee, other Assistant Wardens, Campground Hosts and other BBO volunteers, BirdLife colleagues.
• External contacts - Guests/general public, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions and Yawuru Rangers, Broome Visitor Centre, representatives of local accommodation providers, local suppliers, conservation and other external volunteer agencies.

Other conditions

• The incumbent will be required to maintain a neat, clean and tidy appearance at all times when in contact with the public, and ensure that the grounds and office areas are similarly clean and tidy. Uniform shirts must be worn at all times when on duty.
• Boots/closed shoes are to be worn at all times whilst on duty, both for safety and neatness.
• Smoking is not permitted in BBO vehicles, the shade house, the office or the mud laboratory.

Volunteer conditions

• An allowance of A$240 per week to cover your living and food expenses
• Provision of a private furnished air-conditioned room in a ‘donga’ (a transportable building) and a shared kitchen/dining/living space
• Provision of uniform shirts, boots, broad-brimmed hat and sunscreen
• Reimbursement of costs in securing an F Class License
• Negotiated use of a BBO vehicle at subsidised cost. If a BBO vehicle is available (not being used for BBO business) it may be used during an individual’s day off in return for payment of the fuel costs,
• $660 assistance with your relocation costs to and from the BBO ($330 on arrival and $330 at completion of full volunteer period).
• The consumption or use of illicit substances on the observatory premises is strictly forbidden. The failure to comply with this will be sufficient cause for the volunteer agreement with the BBO to be broken immediately.

The Wardens manage the day to day running of the observatory and management of staff (Assistant Wardens) and volunteers.

Both parties (BBO Management Committee, volunteer Assistant Warden) will provide 4 weeks notice in writing of their intention to terminate this agreement.