Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Limited

Transcription

1 Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Limited Job Description Post title: Responsible to: Department: Liaison with: Based at: Status: Salary: Estates Manager Landscapes Conservation Manager, Living Landscapes Officer, Assistant, Reserve Officers Queenswood and Bodenham Lower House Farm and Queenswood Country Park Full-time (37 hours/week), permanent. 23,000 24,500 (depending on experience) Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Our aims are simple: 1) conserve Herefordshire s biodiversity for future generations; 2) grow HWT so that it can do the above on a sustainable financial basis; 3) do the above whilst deriving broader benefits to society e.g. via promoting well-being through exposure to nature, and thereby be more successful at delivering on the above. The HWT Conservation Strategy identifies the need to: 1) deliver wider landscape-scale conservation impact; 2) better manage our reserves for their multiple values; 3) become the prime advocate for wildlife in the county and build better conservation capacity (internally and externally). Main purpose of job Take the lead in delivering practical habitat management across the Trust s reserves, to ensure they demonstrate best practice in land management and maximise conservation benefits, to integrate reserves into larger ecological networks to inspire people to engage with Herefordshire s wildlife, in the context of enhancing ecological connectivity in the landscape. This role will work proactively with landowners and other conservation organisations within the Living Landscape areas and contribute to the development and delivery of projects and initiatives to meet the Trust s objective of creating Living Landscapes for Herefordshire. Specific Duties of the post Reserve Management: Undertake responsibility for Trust Reserves, with focus on those within the south-eastern Living Landscapes of Woolhope Dome and the Doward (which encompasses the Lower Wye Valley Woodland SAC) to ensure delivery of habitat management work as required and in accordance with management plans and funded grant programmes (e.g. Higher Level Stewardship, Heritage Lottery Fund outputs etc.)

2 Contribute to the production and implementation of agreed Reserve management plans Take a lead in organising and leading volunteer work parties undertaking practical management works on Trust nature reserves, both midweek and at weekends; Recruit and supporting volunteers, including building volunteer capacity through the appointment and securing of reserve wardens and reserve work parties, organising training, managing H&S etc. Lead on the creation and co-ordination of the conservation volunteer work parties quarterly work schedule. Manage Volunteer Reserve Wardens; create work plans and ensure their work is carried out in line with the Trust s H&S policy. Managing budgets, to include applying for, managing, claiming and reporting on grant funding including relevant HLS agreements and where necessary, assist the Estates Manager in the preparation and monitoring of annual budgets. Contribute to the Trust s annual Basic Payment Scheme claim through the completion of maps and forms for submission online. Carry out maintenance of Trust tools and equipment in co-ordination with the Assistant Reserves Officer and the other Reserve Officers; Contribute to the Landscapes team s programme of research, recording and monitoring of key BAP habitats and species on various nature reserves; Undertake IT duties as required within the reserves department such as use of CMSI and QGIS Undertake practical repairs and maintenance to tools and equipment; Assist in the maintenance of Trust vehicles Write reports including reporting to partners Work proactively with naturalists, partner organisations, landowners and others with knowledge of the areas to identify priorities and plan activities Development of Living Landscape Projects: Assist with the planning, preparation and delivery of projects and funding bids as required Assist with the collation of mapped information, file and web based resources and land ownership details Evaluate and report on conservation outcomes in the Living Landscape, including monitoring and evaluation of Trust reserves, and project outcomes Outreach and Interpretation: Produce reserve based publicity and disseminate information through a range of media to a wide audience; Where required, deliver talks and presentations to the public and community groups, and attend local and Trust events, to promote the aims of the Trust and build local support; Arranging relevant public engagement activities and events across the reserves and within the Living Landscapes, including relevant publicity through a range of media

3 Other duties The post holder will be required to: Ensure that value for money and maximum leverage is obtained from the programme; that accurate, upto-date, and timely records are kept; and that contractual rules/legislation are applied appropriately. Encourage, develop and support Trust volunteer involvement in your work (the latter being regarded as a major resource that makes a vital contribution to the Trust). Undertake health and safety duties commensurate with the post and as detailed in the Trust's Health and Safety policy; and ensure any trainees or 3rd parties involved in the apprenticeship and vocational training programme do like-wise. Comply with all other organisational policies and relevant legislation e.g. Equal Opportunities it being the responsibility of the post holder to make themselves aware of such items. Maintain personal and professional development and participate in appropriate training activities; Take advantage of formal and informal opportunities for personal and professional development, in consultation with your line manager. Act as an ambassador for Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, constructing and maintaining positive relationships with volunteers, visitors and other organisations. Actively encourage those you come into professional contact with to become members of HWT - all staff are regarded as membership recruiters. Undertake any other work that might be deemed necessary by HWT commensurate with the level of responsibility of this post. Work with the broader HWT team on any other activities that match your skills and abilities as agreed with your line-manager.

4 Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Limited Person Specification Knowledge and experience At least 3 years experience of practical conservation or habitat management work Experience of carrying out works on Sites of Special Scientific Interest Ability to interact with and enthuse people from a wide range of backgrounds Demonstrable experience and knowledge of good practice relating to working with volunteers A sound working knowledge of UK nature conservation, Lawton principles and environmental issues A keen interest in UK natural history Experience of compiling and delivering on funding applications including both public and private streams. Experience of the Basic Payment Scheme and Countryside Stewardship A willingness to regularly work at weekends and outside standard office hours A sound knowledge of Health and Safety in relation to practical habitat and volunteer management Good IT skills including experience of MS Office, QGIS and CMSi Experience of carrying out habitat and species surveys and interpreting and acting on the data. Skills and abilities High level of enthusiasm, self-motivation and self-discipline; Supervisory and leadership skills; Excellent interpersonal and time management skills; An ability to work on their own initiative and as part of a team; A flexible approach to work; Willingness to learn new skills; High standard of workmanship and attention to detail. Other A full valid driving license; Experience of minibus driving and trailer use advantageous; NPTC or Lantra qualified for use of chainsaw and brushcutter essential. A willingness to travel around the county.

5 Details of employment: Pension: A pension contribution of 5% of base salary will be made available on employment subject to the terms of HWT s Automatic Enrolment Scheme. Probation Period: Six months from start of employment. Training: A training budget is allocated to this post. Hours: 37 hours per week, worked flexibly to include evening and weekend work. Limits to unsocial hours will be negotiated and time off in lieu will be given but no paid overtime is available. Contract: This is a permanent, full-time appointment but as with all posts, is subject to ongoing external funding. Holidays: 25 days per year plus statutory public holidays rising by 1 day per year of service to 30 days. Benefits: Option to enrolment into non-contributory health care scheme (taxable-benefit). Travel: Trust vehicles will be used (if available) subject to Trust policies otherwise the standard Trust mileage rate will be payable for the use of the post holder s private car for business purposes. Equal Opportunities and Diversity: The Trust pursues a policy of full equal opportunities and diversity in relation to all posts and applicants will be judged purely on their merits. However, the requirements for outdoor, practical work should be borne in mind by applicants with physical disabilities. Disclosure As this post involves contact with children and vulnerable adults employment will be subject to a successful Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.