Dear Applicant

Contract Stock Person Vacancies

2 roles at Ouse Washes and 2 roles at Nene Washes

Salary range £15,000 to £16,000

Thank you for your interest in our advertised vacancy.

In this pack you will find information about the RSPB, together with a job description, person specification and other background information about the Ouse Washes and Nene Washes.

If you require any further information about this post please contact either 01354 680212 (Ouse Washes) or 01733 205140 (Nene Washes).

We advise that you refer to the person specification when completing the application form and clearly describe how you meet each of the criteria that have been identified as being necessary for this post as this will form the basis of shortlisting candidates. If you enclose a CV, it may be referred to for supplementary information, however, please ensure that all the questions asked on the application form are fully answered.

We will confirm your eligibility to work in the UK prior to appointment.

Completed forms should be returned to Sally Jones, Administrator, RSPB Ouse Washes, Welches Dam, Manea, Cambs, PE15 0NF. Please check the postage required on your application as incorrect postage may lead to your application being delayed and missing the closing date. If you require an acknowledgement of receipt of your application, please enclose a stamped, addressed envelope.

Alternatively, you can email your application to

The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is Thursday 26th February 2015. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th March 2015.

If you are an external candidate, may we take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in employment with the RSPB. As a charity, we try to keep our administrative costs to a minimum and therefore you will only be contacted if we wish to progress your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. However, if you are able to supply us with an e-mail address, we will endeavour to advise you if you have not been shortlisted.

We look forward to receiving your application in due course.

Yours sincerely

Ouse Washes and Nene Washes Reserves

This pack contains all the information you need to apply, including:

Useful Information

Details on our Diversity Policy statement, how we use CVs, shortlisting and employment checks and UK Identification requirements

Applicant letter

Details on how to apply plus closing date and interview date(s)

Job description

A breakdown of the vacancy, including the purpose of the job, requirements, duties and responsibilities

Person specification

A list of criteria that potential candidates should aim to meet

Department information*

Details of the department advertising the post

Application Form

PDF version

Please print out, complete and return to the address on the Applicant letter

Word version

Applicants are encouraged to complete electronically and return by e-mail

* This information will only be provided if it is relevant to this post

Applications from candidates requiring a certificate of sponsorship under the UK points-based immigration system will not be considered if there are suitable candidates who do not require sponsorship. This is because employers need to demonstrate that they are unable to recruit a resident worker, before they can recruit a non-resident worker*.

The resident worker rule does not prevent applicants requiring sponsorship from applying for our vacancies, but such applications should be made on the understanding that they can only be considered subject to the restrictions above.

For further information, please visit the Home Office UK Border Agency website.

*This rule does not apply to those applying for roles that require a bachelor, postgraduate degree or postgraduate certificate in education qualification. It is necessary for the qualification to be an essential requirement for the role and the applicant to prove that they possess such a qualification (or have completed a minimum of 12 months study in the UK towards a UK PhD), which is recognised in the UK.

Useful Information

The RSPB is currently going through a job evaluation review. We just wanted to let you know that all jobs are subject to this review, including our current job vacancies. The results of the job evaluation review and the new payband structure will be implemented across the RSPB later in 2015 and you will be kept fully informed of the outcomes.

Diversity Policy Statement

The RSPB is part of a global network that incorporates a diversity of traditions and cultures, and which represents different inheritances, backgrounds, influences, perspectives and experiences. A better understanding of people’s differences will help us to appreciate and value everyone’s contribution, and recognise that we are all an integral and invaluable part of the Society.

Everyone has the right to be treated with consideration and respect. The Society is committed to achieving a truly inclusive environment for all, by developing better working relationships that release the full potential, creativity and productivity of each individual, and an atmosphere where everyone can learn, work and live free from prejudice, discrimination, harassment and violence.

The Society aims to ensure that all staff, volunteers, partners, clients, contractors, members and the general public are treated fairly. Unless it can be shown to be justified, this will be regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status, race (including colour, nationality, ethnicity, or national origin), disability, medical status, age, religion or belief, political opinion, social or economic status, or ex-offender status.

Use of Curriculum Vitae (CVs)

Our policy is to recruit and employ our employees on the basis of their suitability for the work to be done. An application form allows us to compare individuals based on like for like information and as such we do not accept a CV unless accompanied by a fully completed application.

Shortlisting

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to ensuring all applications are treated fairly. Applications are sought only from those eligible to work in the UK in the first instance.

All applications are subject to our shortlisting process where we only assess information provided against the Person Specification. If you are shortlisted we will contact you and invite you to attend an interview. You will also be advised at this point if there will be any skills test, presentations etc.

As a charity, we lack the resources to advise all candidates if their application is unsuccessful. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, we will have decided not to take your application any further. However, if you are able to supply us with an e-mail address, we will endeavour to advise you if you have not been shortlisted. If this is the case, please do not be discouraged from re-applying as your skills and experience may be just what we need for our next vacancy. We also have a number of volunteering opportunities across the organisation.

Employment Checks

All offers of employment are made subject to the following criteria:

Proof of eligibility to work in the UK, Proof of Residency, Satisfactory Employment Health Check, Two references satisfactory to the Society and where required a Satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau Check.

/ Job Description

Job Title:Contract Stock Person

Dept/Section/Region/Reserve:Eastern England Region

Location Of Job: Nene Washes Reserve /Ouse Washes Reserve

Reporting To Post holder:None

Overall Purpose Of The Job:

Working as part of a team, to ensure the safety, health and security of all stock in the RSPB's care during the grazing season.

Main Duties:

HABITAT, ESTATES AND SPECIES MANAGEMENT 88%

  • Regular and thorough inspection of stock in the RSPB's care to ensure presence, health and safety.
  • Carry out stock tasks such as worming and veterinary treatment under the guidance of the Stock Manager.
  • Carry out estate management especially fencing, cattle pens, ATV bridges and gates.
  • Carry out other tasks to achieve the management objectives of the reserve or Area Team according to the post-holders skills and abilities, e.g. water control, breeding bird census transects and general bird recording, in conjunction with and in support of the wardening team.
  • Required to carry out pasture topping with the use of tractor and mounted equipment.

ADMINISTRATION 6%

  • Maintenance of daily records of stock number, movements and treatments.

STAFF MANAGEMENT/TRAINING 1%

  • Supervision of other contract staff or volunteers assisting with shepherding and other stock related tasks.

LIAISON AND PUBLIC RELATIONS 5%

  • Liaison with graziers where appropriate.

Other Duties:

As part of the Fens Area Team, the post-holder should expect to be involved in any team task within reason, to maintain team integration and ensure all team objectives are realised. This will often occur under the direction of another member of the area team, who may be line managed by the post-holder and as such the post-holder will function simply as another team member. This is most likely to occur in the following areas:

  • Practical habitat or estates management.
  • Carrying out research, survey and monitoring work.
  • Occasional assistance with the general public.
  • Patrolling.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Competent stock person with an aptitude to reliably count and assess the health and condition of cattle and horses consistently.
  • Competent and safe user of four wheel drive vehicles.
  • Able to carry out the duties of the post.
  • Able to work under pressure.
  • Ability to work as an adaptable member of a close-knit team.
  • Current driving licence.
  • High regard for health and safety.
  • Ability to swim an advantage.
  • Competent field recorder of breeding wetland birds an advantage.

OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS:

  • Frequently works anti-social hours including bank holidays, weekends and evenings.
  • May be disturbed at home during anti-social hours.
  • Required to maintain confidential information.
  • May be involved in patrols or exercises to identify and apprehend egg collectors, poachers or trespassers.

In addition, the post holder will be working near water and with cattle with the inherent risk of contracting Leptospirosis and other zoonoses. The post holder will be expected to work with cattle and machinery on rough terrain, steep banks and near rivers and ditches.

We expect you to carry out your job responsibilities in an environmentally aware manner, ensuring as little damage to the environment as possible. Our aim is to ensure all resources are utilised effectively and efficiently. You will be expected to apply ‘sound value for money’ principles in undertaking purchasing or supply of goods and services.

In the RSPB volunteers are a major resource and make a vital contribution to the RSPB’s aim to take action for the conservation of wild birds and the environment. You will be expected to encourage, develop and support volunteer involvement in our work.

Reserves Background Information

RSPB Nene Washes

The Nene Washes in the Cambridgeshire fens are the flood storage area for the River Nene. The regular flooding and high water levels, combined with the deep rich peat soil and traditional grassland management, have protected much of the traditional wildlife and ancient landscape of the Fens.

The RSPB first bought land on the Nene Washes in 1982 and now owns 288ha of the 1500ha wash-land. In addition to this area, the RSPB manages several other blocks of land, including March Farmers (300ha) under arable until recently reverted to grassland under a HLS agreement running to 2023, High Wash managing 105ha for the landowner again under an HLS grassland agreement, and lastly, part of the Eldernell Wash (86ha) for the Childers estate for grazing livestock, making the total area under direct RSPB management - 800ha. The RSPB grazes and manages over 800 head of livestock during the summer and a large quantity of hay is made.

The Nene washes were created in various stages beginning with the cutting of Moreton’sLeam in the 15th century and Vermuydens engineering in the 17th century, forming one of the most important wash-lands in North west Europe. The whole of the Nene Washes are a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Ramsar Convention site under European legislation.

The Washes are a long linear flat site that runs from Peterborough in the west to Guyhirn in the east, bounded by the River Nene and Moreton’sLeam, which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation.The majority of land not managed by the RSPB is managed by Childers estate, Whittlesey wildfowling club and several other private land owners. Most of this is under grassland management. One area remains under arable cultivation at Eldernell.

The Washes are internationally important for wintering waterfowl; these include Bewick’s swans, whooper swans, wigeon, pintail, shoveler and Icelandic black- tailed godwits. Other important over-wintering species include common crane, short eared owl, hen harrier, merlin teal, lapwing and golden plover. The site is one of the most important in the UK for breeding waders with large numbers of lapwing, redshank and snipe and 80% of the UKs population of black-tailed godwits. Other key breeding bird species include garganey, spotted crake, shoveler, gadwall, common crane, bittern, little egret, marsh harrier yellow wagtail, reed bunting. The site is also home to a translocation project to re-establish corncrake, in 2014, 22 singing males were present.

Managing the Land

Natural habitats

The main management aims are to:

  • Manage the wet grassland and river banks to maintain and increase the breeding and wintering waterfowl, through grazing and mowing the vegetation, maintaining water levels at the necessary height in conjunction with the Environment Agency and providing areas free of disturbance.

Highlights of Management

  • Maintain and increase the nationally important breeding wader community.
  • Continue to provide suitable habitat for the successful breeding of spotted crake, common crane, corncrake and garganey.
  • Increase the productivity and range of black-tailed godwits on the Nene Washes
  • Development of the March Farmers HLS area into an important breeding wader habitat.
  • Maintain the large assemblages of internationally important winter waterfowl, Bewick’s swan, whooper swan, wigeon, gadwall, pintail, shoveler and Icelandic black-tailed godwit.

Other Wildlife

  • The RSPB manages 80 km of ditches, which in addition to being wet fences for cattle grazing are valuable wildlife habitat, supporting water voles, otters, dragonflies and locally important aquatic flora including frog-bit and greater bladderwort.
  • The Moreton’sLeam is designated as a special area of conservation (Sac), for supporting a population of spined loach.

RSPB and the Community

The Washes are one of the largest areas of lowland wet grassland in the England and is a green oasis set in the heart of the arable fens. The majority of the reserve grasslands are semi natural and have not been ploughed since their creation some 350 years ago. There has been a long tradition of livestock grazing and management, with many of the livestock sourced within a 30 mile radius of the reserve.

RSPB staff engage with the local farming community adjacent to the washes to help provide habitat opportunities for farmland birds.

The Nene Washes is promoted to visitors as a place of quiet enjoyment to view unique assemblages of breeding waders and wintering waterfowl, along with the added interest of invertebrates and flora. We help maintain a car park and free viewing area at Eldernell, that is increasingly popular with visiting birdwatchers, especially in winterperiod.

RSPB Ouse Washes

The Ouse Washes in the Cambridgeshire fens are the flood storage area for the River Great Ouse. The regular flooding and high water levels, combined with the deep rich peat soil and traditional grassland management, have protected much of the traditional wildlife and ancient landscape of the Fens.

The RSPB first bought land on the Ouse Washes in 1964 and now owns 981 ha. In addition to this area, the RSPB rents 86 ha of river banks and 5 ha of osier from the Environment Agency, 76 ha of arable land reverted to grassland from Cambridgeshire County Council and manages 186 ha of washland for Cambridgeshire Wildlife Trust; making the total area under direct RSPB management 1334 ha. Summer grazing management is also carried out on104 ha of privately owned wash land. The RSPB grazes and manages over 2700 head of livestock during the summer and a small quantity of hay is made.