IDENTIFICATION OF JOB
Job Title / : / Conservation Advisor
Team / : / Land Management
Working Base / : / AWT Head Office
Responsible to / : / Head of Land Management
Responsible for / : / No Direct Reports
Overall Purpose of Job / : / The Conservation Advisor will be a key member of the delivery team, who together are responsible for creating ecological networks through landscape-scale conservation. Within key strategic areas the post will be responsible for the management of a number of Trust nature reserves and provision of high quality advice to landowners in order to maintain and improve habitats at a landscape scale.
Main Responsibilities / : / Land management
- Help ensure that the Trust's nature reserves are managed to the highest possible standards to maximise their value and benefits both for nature conservation and for public engagement and understanding
- Co-ordinate the site management of Trust nature reserves to deliver the objectives of the Reserve Management Plans, and develop and deliver projects to enhance their conservation value and public benefits
- Oversee the preparation of an annual work plan for the management and enhancement of each Trust reserve and coordinate the delivery of all capital and revenue works, whether by Trust staff, volunteers or external contractors
- Assist with the development and delivery of income generating mechanisms across land holdings to help finance the Trust's conservation work
- To oversee and sometimes lead regular practical conservation volunteer workdays on reserves and private land and work with other delivery teams to ensure widespread engagement of volunteers, local businesses and communities in our practical conservation work.
- Work with other Trust staff to maximise public use of the reserves in promoting conservation, including promotion of the reserves through training workshops, walks, talks and publications.
- Support the promotion of wider conservation issues and AWT by working with the marketing and communications team,and assist with AWT events for members and local communities to explain the work of the Trust
- Ensure the highest levels of competence and health and safety of all staff, placements and volunteers involved in land management, and promote the use of best practice in all areas of reserve management and use
- To provide advice to landowners on the management and restoration of priority habitats to achieve specific conservation targets. This willinclude advising on the development and implementation of key funding mechanisms such as Countryside Stewardship and the delivery of Stewardship schemes on Trust reserves.
- To deliver habitat restoration work with private landowners and partner organisations to achieve specific habitat restoration targets. This will include managing practical conservation tasks through contractors and volunteers, providing training workshops for landowners and attending local events to raise awareness of the value of priority habitats.
- To deliver key landscape scale projects such as B-Lines. This will entail working with colleagues, partners and landowners to improve connectivity and provide long term ecological resilience across priority landscapes.
- In key landscape scale areas such as the North Somerset Levels and Moors work with partners and landowners to identify and deliver multiple benefits through integrating solutions to a range of environmental pressures including biodiversity, flooding, resource protection and water quality .
- Develop and maintain good relations with other land-owners and land-managers, particularly in the vicinity of the Trust's reserves and with the tenants and graziers licensed to help manage the reserves
2. JOB SPECIFICATION
Management and Supervision / : / To supervise and direct the work of contractors and a number of office based and practical volunteers. Responsible for the health and safety of those working on Trust sites.
Accountability and Resources / : / Some accountability and expenditure for agreed budget in liaison with Head of Land Management.
Job Impact / : / Responsible for the long term management of nature reserves and the provision of conservation advice, training and learning to a range of stakeholders. Central to ensuring the condition of Trust sites and advocating Trust values.
Independence and Judgement / : / Ability to exercise judgement and independence with considerable levels of responsibility and autonomy. A variety of work activities, some complex and non-routine often working independently, either alone or supervising volunteers.
People and Contacts / : / Frequent liaison with a wide range of stakeholders internally and externally including partners, landowners and community groups. Ability to speak to large groups of people to convey complex and sometimes controversial messages, and often acting as advocate for the Trust.
Creativity and Innovation / : / Work to agreed plans and targets. Ability to react and respond to unexpected non-routine situations and opportunity to influence and input creatively to development of Trust outcomes. Willingness to develop and look beyond the boundaries of the immediate role.
Working Conditions / : / Based at Jacobs Wells Road with regular travel across the West of England region. Frequent physical outdoor work in all weathers and some weekend and evening work.
3. PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title / : / Conservation Advisor
Team / : / Land Management Team
Experience / : /
- At least three years proven experience in nature conservation and/or countryside management (E)
- At least three years proven experience of practical land management(E)
- At least three years proven experience of providing environmental advice to landowners and farmers and guiding agri-environment schemes to completion (E)
- At least one year experience of managing and training placements, volunteers and of supervising contractors (D)
- Wetland management experience (E)
- Experience of writing nature conservation management plans and reports (D)
- Organisational ability and track record of delivering to deadlines (E)
- Experience of project management (E)
Competence, Knowledge & Skills / : /
- Degree or higher in Ecology, Environmental Science or related discipline (D)
- Understanding of ecology, conservation and habitat management (E)
- Understanding of UK Conservation framework, environmental issues and legislation (E)
- Understanding and experience of delivering wider environmental issues such as flood defence, resource protection and climate change adaptation. (D)
- Good botanical skills including survey and monitoring(D)
- A sound understanding and knowledge of the ecology, habitat management and conservation requirements of priority habitats and species (E)
- A working knowledge of agri-environment schemes and farming practices (E)
- Excellent presentation skills (written and verbal) and ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people (E)
- Hold a full driving licence (E)
- Experience of off-road driving (D) and D1 (minibus) licence (D)
- Current First aid certificate (D)
- Certificate in chainsaw operation (minimum CS30 & CS31) (D)
- Certificate in brush cutter operation (D)
- Certificate in pesticide application (PA1 & PA6) (D)
- Ability to motivate a wide range of people and negotiate positive outcome (E)
- Ability to work to tight time-scales and meet deadlines (E)
- Ability to work independently using own initiative and judgement, as well as part of an effective team (E)
- Computer literate (E)
- Willingness to work outdoors in all weathers throughout the year and to work weekends/ evenings as appropriate (E)
Personal
Qualities / : /
- Enthusiasm and self motivation
- Self discipline
- Tact, diplomacy and integrity
- Commitment to the Trust’s objectives of wildlife conservation and public involvement (E)
Please sign and date this document to confirm its accuracy at the present time.
Post-holder name: ...... ………………......
Post-holder's signature: ...... ………...... Date: .………..…......
Line manager's name : ...... ………………......
Line manager's signature : ...... ………...... Date: .………..…......
Page 1 of 5