Salary: £31,537-£33,367 p.a.
Closing date: Monday 11th June 2012
Location: Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust
To ensure the Trust’s nature reserve portfolio is managed efficiently and effectively, so as to realise the potential of the sites for wildlife, people and the Trust’s profile. To maximise the potential of sites and relationships with neighbours to contribute to the Trust’s Living Landscape work.
OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB SALARY LEVEL:
Scale points 36-38
WORK AREA: Herts, London Boroughs of Barnet, Enfield, Harrow and Hillingdon
LOCATED AT: Grebe House, St Albans AL3 4SN
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Reserves officers, Wardens (paid and unpaid), Volunteers, contractors and project staff from time to time
RESPONSIBLE TO: Head of Living Landscapes
MAIN RESPONSIBLILITIES
1. Maintain and develop the Trust’s nature reserves in accordance with the Trust’s strategic plan, nature conservation objectives, individual site management plans, Health and Safety, legal and contractual requirements, including land management grants.
2. Ensure the effective deployment of contractors undertaking site management works, surveying, grazing and management planning etc.
3. Ensure that the Trust’s nature reserves are managed to deliver appropriate access and interpretation experience for visitors, including input to the Trust’s website and interpretation materials.
4. Develop and implement a strategy for effective ecological and environmental monitoring of habitats and impact of management works on key species and habitat requirements.
5. Take responsibility for the Trust’s livestock. Fulfil all legal and ethical obligations to welfare and ownership.
6. Maintain and develop effective relationships with local authorities, neighbours and other site users, and where there are reserve partnerships, maintain their effective operation.
7. Ensure the nature reserve equipment (e.g. vehicles, machinery, workshop and tools) is available, in safe working order, clean and operated in an appropriate manner.
8. Keep up to date records relating to nature reserves administration, such as tenure, obligations and commitments, staff/volunteer time and visitor use.
9. Ensure nature reserve management plans are kept up to date through an active rolling programme of review, engaging with all key stakeholders in the process.
10. Ensure the preparation, management and monitoring of nature reserve annual work plans and budgets, according to work identified by nature reserve management plans, and to produce progress reports for the Trust and external organisations as required.
11. Ensure that opportunities for grant aid for reserves (e.g. from DEFRA agencies) are optimised and work with the fundraising team to develop funding bids for nature reserves work.
12. Help deliver the Trust’s strategic plan, as it relates to Living Landscapes, nature reserves acquisition, and reserve leasing and disposals; including advising other landowners and identifying potential new nature reserves, reserves extensions and linkages and opportunities for habitat creation.
13. To effectively lead, manage and develop nature reserve and relevant project staff, in respect of recruitment, appraisals, performance and personal development.
14. To ensure that all volunteers, including Reserve Wardens, are recruited, involved, managed and trained to support and enable their contribution to nature reserves.
15. Ensure Health and Safety obligations are met across the Trust.
16. Help promote the Trust’s nature reserves and other work, via the provision of talks, presentations and participation in events and activities.
17. Undertake work for the Trust’s consultancy, HMWC, as required.
18. Participate in relevant nature reserve seminars, groups and meetings, within the Wildlife Trusts, the counties and the region, representing the Trust as required.
19. Carry out all duties with regard to relevant legislation and the Trust’s policies and procedures, including the following:
a) Health and Safety Policy
b) Financial procedures
c) Equal Opportunities Policy
20. Carry out all other such duties as may from time to time be determined by the Head of Living Landscapes or Chief Executive.
The Trust has the right to amend the job description in consultation with the
postholder to reflect changes in or to the job.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
1. Education and Knowledge
• A formal qualification (degree or similar) in a biological/environmental science/countryside management discipline.
• An understanding of wildlife, ecology and nature conservation.
• Knowledge of countryside/land management techniques and habitat and species management.
• Knowledge of health and safety legislation relevant to the post.
• First Aid qualification.
2. Experience
• Practical habitat and species management work.
• Managing volunteers, work parties etc.
• Work planning, monitoring and reporting.
• Managing budgets.
• Working with steering groups, interest groups or site management groups.
• Leading guided walks, events etc.
• Producing promotional materials and developing web site pages.
3. Skills
• Good organisational skills.
• The ability to work on his/her own initiative as well as working as a member of a close-knit team.
• Excellent communication skills – both written and oral.
• A reasonable level of computer literacy, including word-processing and spreadsheets.
• A full and valid driving licence.
• Ability to undertake biological surveys.
4. Personal qualities
• A proven enthusiasm for wildlife and nature conservation and an ability to share it with others.
• People focused.
• Imaginative and resourceful.
• A willingness to work irregular hours/travel extensively throughout Herts & Middlesex.
• A commitment to equal opportunities.
Contact Details:
For more information and to apply (CVs are not accepted), visit our web site: www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/about/jobs Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Grebe House St Michael’s Street St Albans Herts AL3 4SN Tel: 01727 858901 Fax: 01727 854542 E mail: recruitment@hmwt.org Closing Date: 9.00am Monday 11th June 2012 Interviews & assessment: 2nd or 3rd (TBC) July 2012 A driving licence and flexibility to work occasional irregular hours is required for all posts. The post is subject to a Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure.