Assistant Warden - Lakenheath Fen

Job Description

We are seeking an enthusiastic and practical person with land management, survey and people skills to play a key role in our reserves team. The post will involve working primarily at Lakenheath Fen, situated on the eastern edge of the Fens but occasionally at our other reserve Cavenham Quarry in the Brecks. Due to the breadth of the work, the job will be exciting and varied, with a real opportunity to make a big difference to nature. We are currently involved in a large habitat creation project and you will assist in delivering this work which will involve Carbon Credits and Biodiversity Net gain and working with a large corporate partner. We hope that the successful candidate will be part of an enthusiastic and supportive team and will be able to add expertise and make the most of this fantastic opportunity. You will be working closely within the other team members including the two Wardens, Senior Site Manager, Visitor Experience Officer and Administrator.

You will be responsible for:

Assisting the day-to-day implementation of the management plan for both reserves.

Habitat management to ensure conservation targets are being met.

Maintenance of machinery, livestock and visitor infrastructure to ensure safe operation and a positive visitor experience.

Monitoring of key species and habitats to enable performance to be managed and targets for improvements to be set.

Maintaining high standards of health and safety to minimise risk to the RSPB and to ensure understanding and compliance of health and safety while undertaking duties.

Leading work parties with a high performing team of volunteers.

Occasional weekend working as the duty manager in the visitor centre supervising volunteers, opening and closing the centre, cashing up the till and credit card machine and membership recruitment.

General administration and report writing associated with all of the above to ensure admin and reports are up to date and systematically organised.

What we need from you:

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge and experience managing a range of habitats including reedbed, lowland wet grassland and fen.
• Knowledge and experience of estate management including maintaining grazing and visitor infrastructure and solving problems with well thought out practical solutions.
• Managing volunteers from a range of backgrounds with experience of leading work parties.
• Using and maintaining machinery along with other tools and equipment.
• Lantra or equivalent qualifications in brushcutter.
• Flexible working to include occasional weekends as duty manager in the visitor centre
• Working well in a small team, using good communication and organisational skills.
• Working efficiently and safely on your own in remote locations.
• Effective communication with internal and external partners specifically volunteers, contractors, and visitors.
• Good natural history knowledge and survey experience.
• Full driving licence.
• Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Implementing health and safety regulations through carrying out appropriate assessments and keeping suitable records.
• Lantra or equivalent qualifications in chainsaw, clearing saw, ATV, pesticide, and tractor.
• Experience of mink control
• Biological recording.
• Developing and implementing work plans.

This is a Fixed-Term role for 18 months, Full-Time - 37.5 hours per week.

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 7 December 2023. For further information please contact suzanne.harwood@rspb.org.uk.

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.