Estate Worker (Fixed Term)

Job Description

Do you have a passion for wildlife? Do you want to help protect one of the UK's most exciting places for nature, the internationally important Somerset Levels & Moors? Do you have an interest in conservation grazing? We are currently looking for an energetic and skilled Estate Worker to help manage the RSPB's Somerset Grassland Reserves, in one of the most important wetlands in the country, for both wildlife and people.

What's the role about?

The role is based at our West Sedgemoor Reserve with the main work areas being on the grassland reserve there, with occasional work at Greylake and woodlands at Swell Wood. You will be helping to manage a reserve, that is arguably the most important site for breeding curlew and snipe in Lowland England, in an area that is a key location for colonising wetland species in the UK.

The successful candidate will carry out daily livestock checks, electric fencing as well as ATV and tractor work. There will also be the opportunity to help deliver practical habitat and estate management in the Somerset Levels and Moors. You will be an important member of a large team including residential and day volunteers. Your own personal development will be an important part of your objectives in this role and the diversity and size of the estate provides plenty of opportunity for this.

The applicant should enjoy working independently or with others as part of a team when required, as well as being able to cope with the physical demands of the role in all weather conditions. The role will require regular weekend working as well as Bank Holidays.

Key areas of work will include:

• Undertaking daily livestock checks and assisting with the welfare of livestock to ensure we meet all animal welfare and cross compliance legislation.
• Maintenance of livestock infrastructure to ensure they are operating as required.
• Routine operation, record keeping, servicing and maintenance of machinery and vehicles to ensure they are operating safely and efficiently.
• Habitat management and grounds maintenance to ensure conservation and visitor experience targets are being met.
• Keeping up to date health and safety records to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and to enable improvements to be set.

• Build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders including colleagues, graziers, neighbours, volunteers and contractors.
• Being responsible for completing all above tasks in compliance with Health & Safety policy to minimise risk to the RSPB.

We are looking for applicants who meet the following criteria:

Essential:

• Servicing and maintaining vehicles, machinery, tools and equipment to agreed standards
• Machinery and equipment operations
• Practical land management experience and delivering estate management works

Desirable:

• Livestock management
• Knowledge/understanding of nature conservation
• Lantra or equivalent qualification in ATV, tractors, toppers, pesticide use, brushcutters and vehicles.

This is a Fixed-Term, Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week, from April to November 2023. 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 27/02/2023. For further information please contact steve.ross@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 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.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.