Would you like to assist with the management of one of our flagship reserves?

The RSPB team in Sussex are seeking a dynamic, resourceful and motivated warden to join a reserves team managing over 500 hectares of nature reserves in Sussex, including Pulborough Brooks, one of the most visited RSPB reserves in the UK, and Amberley Wildbrooks. These diverse nature reserves comprise of lowland wet grassland, heathland, woodland, arable land & scrub and are home to a rich array of flora and fauna.

You will join a large team managing and developing our reserves alongside a busy visitor operation. Your role will be incredibly varied and you'll carry out a range of tasks including: delivering habitat management, species surveying and habitat monitoring, supervising contractors, engaging with stakeholders, maintenance tasks, assisting with the running of events and managing our fabulous volunteers and assistant wardens. This will also include use of the reserves tractor and other machinery plus livestock handling and liaising with graziers.

We are seeking an individual with experience of practical habitat management, working with and inspiring volunteers, some line management experience, surveying birds and other taxa and working with machinery, as well as good reserves infrastructure and estate maintenance skills and livestock handling experience.

The applicant should also have good knowledge of natural history; especially that of lowland wet grassland species and habitats.  They should also be a strong team player with excellent organisational, communication, practical and inter-personal skills. The warden team is small and hardworking so we are looking for an enthusiastic and competent individual to get stuck in and help the nature reserves flourish.

This role is a full time 2 year temporary position with the possibility of extension/being made permanent.

Key work areas include:

• Take responsibility for the implementation of the reserve management plans including habitat management, record keeping and livestock/grazing where relevant to ensure delivery of sites’ and RSPB objectives and compliance obligations.
• Manage reserve interns and volunteers to ensure delivery of sites’ work programmes. This includes ensuring that they are trained and equipped properly to work safely.
• Undertake and oversee species/habitat survey and monitoring work on the sites to ensure delivery of sites’ objectives.
• Undertake and oversee the maintenance of the reserve estate (inc machinery where relevant) to ensure efficient and safe operation and use to meet the RSPB’s and sites’ Health & Safety and other obligations.
• Ensure the reserve is managed in accordance with best practise with respect to Health and Safety, environmental management and legal compliance of conservation and land management operations.
• Supervise contractors to carry out work on site safely and legally to deliver the management plan targets.
• Assist in the delivery of visitor services activities to deliver the reserve’s targets. January 2019
• Manage medium and small projects using the RSPB’s Project Management Framework to achieve site/s objectives/delivery of management plan objectives.
• Contribute to the production of the management plan and annual report as directed by the Site Manager.
• Ensure good relations at all times with neighbours, graziers, external organisations and the general public to facilitate delivery of site/s and RSPB’s objectives.

Essential knowledge, skills and experience

• Land especially conservation management.
• Relevant ecological knowledge.
• Agricultural, livestock knowledge and working with graziers.
• Health & Safety applying to site management (e.g. risk assessments).
• Relevant knowledge of compliance requirements (eg agricultural and environmental legislation with particular reference to grazing livestock where relevant).
• Communication and interpersonal skills.
• Individual and team management skills, including working with staff and volunteers.
• Working with contractors.
• Machinery operations, equipment maintenance and servicing.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications have been received. We are intending to hold interviews on the 28th or 29th July.

Should you have any queries relating to this vacancy please contact Yianni Andrews, Area Manager on: yianni.andrews@rspb.org.uk

We look forward to hearing from you!