Warden

Job Description

Introduction

Are you looking for a permanent nature reserve warden role?

We have an exciting opportunity for a Full-time Warden to help manage our reserves in The Broads National Park. The successful applicant will take a lead role at our Berney Marshes and Breydon Water Reserve, with its 900 ha of wet and damp grassland, intertidal mud and reedbeds. This reserve supports over 100,000 wintering waterbirds, the most important breeding lapwing, redshank and avocet populations in the National Park, plus bittern, marsh harrier and bearded tit. They will also support the other local reserves at Mid Yare NNR and Sutton Fen. This role will be varied, covering a wide range of tasks, so you will need to be energetic, adaptable and have a desire to achieve. We are looking for a strong team player, with the ability to generate ideas and see them through to high standards. You will have a passion for wildlife, and you will enjoy working outside in all weathers. You will be organised, responsible, resilient, adaptable, practically capable and you will have a willingness to learn and develop as part of your role. You will be joining an experienced local team and enjoy the support of specialist RSPB staff to ensure we manage our reserves to the highest standard for wildlife and people.


What's the role about?

As Warden you will lead the implementation of the habitat and estate management and species and habitat monitoring work programme as defined by the reserves’ management plans, and the associated recording and reporting. This will include:
Grassland vegetation management with machinery and livestock
Water management via pumps and sluices
Maintenance and repair of estate infrastructure and buildings
Maintaining tools and machinery
Managing an Assistant Warden and local volunteers.
Monitoring of key species and habitats to assess performance targets
Managing, mapping and storing data, ensuring this can be available to the wider team and organisation.
Maintaining high standards of health and safety to minimise risk to the RSPB and ensuring understanding and compliance of health and safety while undertaking duties.
Collaborating with local and UK-wide RSPB colleagues and external stakeholders including graziers, neighbours, statutory agencies, contractors and the public.
Record keeping and reporting



Essential skills, knowledge and experience:
Experience of practical land management and delivering estate management tasks.
Experience in the safe operation and maintenance of machinery, tools and equipment
Ecological knowledge of wet grassland habitats and species.
Knowledge of conservation grazing and water management techniques.
Habitat and estate management skills relevant to wet grassland habitat.
Understanding of legal compliance associated with managing a nature reserve.
Ability to plan, prioritise and organise a complex work programme.
A track record of managing and/or directing people (eg. contractors, staff, volunteers).
Confidence and communication skills appropriate to build relationships with farmers, speak publicly and work effectively in teams.
Competent in the use of Microsoft Office packages including Word, Excel and Outlook and online applications
Experience implementing risk assessments and updating health and safety records.
Problem solving skills, creating well thought through practical solutions.
A suitable licence allowing you to drive a car/utility vehicle on UK public roads.



Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

LANTRA or equivalent qualification in the safe use of tractors and trailed equipment, boom sprayer/weedwiper, brushcutter, knapsack spraying, 4x4 and ATV.

Experience of using GIS mapping software.

Knowledge of the requirements of agri-environment and cross-compliance regulations.

Experience of livestock management and working with farmers.

Experience of predator management in lowland wetlands

Experience of leading volunteers and/or line managing staff.

Ecological knowledge of estuarine or reedbed habitats/species.

Experience of biological monitoring and surveying.

A degree or other higher education qualification in a relevant subject.

This is a Permanent Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 13-14/12/2023. For further information please contact daniel.hercock@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.