date as postmark
Dear Applicant
Wildlife Conservation Officer (18.5 hours per week – Job Share)
Fixed Term Contract until 31 March 2020
Thank you for your enquiry in regard to the above position.
Enclosed is a recruitment and information pack which includes the following:
· A job description and person specification
· Background Information and Terms and Conditions of Employment
Further information including our Corporate Plan is available on the Authority’s web site, www.yorkshiredales.org.uk.
The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 12 noon on Monday 3 July 2017.
It is not our practice to acknowledge applications or to inform applicants that they have been unsuccessful. If you have not heard from us within 3 weeks after the closing date of the advertisement, you may assume that your application has been unsuccessful.
I look forward to receiving your application and thank you for the interest you have shown in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.
Yours faithfully
The HR Team
Enc.
YORKSHIRE DALES NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Wildlife Conservation Officer
GRADE: Band D
LOCATION: Grassington
RESPONSIBLE TO: Senior Wildlife Conservation Officer
RESPONSIBLE FOR: No line management responsibility
OBJECTIVES OF THE POST
To assist the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Wildlife Conservation Team in conserving, enhancing and raising awareness of the biodiversity of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
DUTIES AND RESPONSBILITIES
To work with the Senior Wildlife Conservation Officer to develop, co-ordinate and implement the Yorkshire Dales National Park local Biodiversity Action Plan.
To work with the Senior Wildlife Conservation Officer to develop, co-ordinate and carry out habitat & species surveys, monitoring and research, including: identifying survey sites; contacting landowners; co-ordinating and training staff and volunteers; field survey work; inputting results into QGIS and ACCESS databases; assisting with analysis and report production.
To work with the Wildlife Conservation team to develop and implement community wildlife projects, such as ‘Wildlife Roadshows’, ‘Parish Wildlife Project’, events, working with schools and volunteer groups and other activities.
To provide ecological support and advice to the Farm Conservation Team on agri-environment applications, including: responding to consultations on applications; providing proactive ecological advice to farmers in areas of high nature conservation value; production of Farm Wildlife Audits; contributing to Farm Environment Plans.
To co-ordinate responses to planning applications and other development control issues affecting the ecology of sites, including: providing reports and advice to planning officers; providing advice to applicants; carrying out species and habitat surveys
To work with other officers in the Wildlife Conservation team to provide ecological advice to Park Management staff, including: advice on the implications of PROW management ; advice on the implementation of the CROW Act.
To work with the Senior Wildlife Conservation Officer and appropriate colleagues to develop, maintain and update wildlife publications, websites, information notes and other awareness-raising resources.
To respond to general queries from the other departments, partner organisations and the general public.
Comply with the Authority’s Health and Safety Policy and Codes of Safe Working Practice.
Such other duties as are commensurate with the objectives and grade of the post, as directed from time to time by the Chief Executive.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION OFFICER
Essential / DesirableQUALIFICATIONS
A degree or equivalent in a wildlife conservation or ecological subject. / ü
EXPERIENCE
Professional experience in wildlife conservation within a rural environment / ü
Good botanical identification skills and experience of carrying out and interpreting botanical surveys including NVC and Phase 1 methods. / ü
Experience of carrying out and interpreting botanical surveys including NVC and Phase 1 methods. / ü
Practical knowledge of upland farming / ü
Experience in carrying out scientific research work. / ü
Expertise in the conservation of other taxa (eg birds, invertebrates or mammals) / ü
Direct experience of working with local communities and the wider general public / ü
A wide knowledge of wildlife conservation issues affecting the Yorkshire Dales National Park. / ü
SKILLS
Excellent communicator with proven oral and written skills, including production of reports and intellectually-accessible publications / ü
Demonstrable ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences in a friendly, confident and sensitive manner. / ü
IT literacy / ü
Good working knowledge of GIS systems such as QGIS / ü
Experience in using and updating websites / ü
Full driving licence. / ü
Negotiating skills / ü
Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines. / ü
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Committed to conservation. / ü
Willingness to work evenings and weekends (for which time off in lieu will be given) / ü
Well organised and demonstrates self-management. / ü
Flexibility / ü
Determination to find creative solutions. / ü
Wildlife Conservation Officer
Based at Grassington, North Yorkshire
Background
The Yorkshire Dales National Park covers an area of 1800 square kilometres and sits astride the central Pennine watershed in North Yorkshire and Cumbria. It is a dramatic upland, rising to an elevation of nearly 800 metres, dissected by numerous long glaciated valleys or dales. The area was designated a national park in 1954 because of its outstanding scenic and environmental qualities and the opportunities it affords for outdoor recreation (the national park receives approximately 8.3 million leisure visits per year). With a resident population of 20,000 people, the area is a working landscape, with agriculture, quarrying and tourism, offering the main employment opportunities. Indeed, it is the long history of people settling in and working this harsh environment that has created a cultural landscape recognised today as one of the most distinctive in Western Europe.
From 1974 the whole of the Yorkshire Dales National Park was administered by a Committee of North Yorkshire County Council but, as a result of the Environment Act 1995, the new National Park Authority was established on 1st April 1997. The Authority remains within the framework of local government but is independent of the counties and districts. The Authority now consists of both county council and district council representatives as well as parish representatives and members appointed by the Secretary of State.
The 1995 Environment Act revised and updated the purposes of national parks which are:-
“conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the areas, and promoting opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of those areas by the public”.
In pursuing these purposes the Authority
“shall seek to foster the economic and social wellbeing of communities within the National Park.”
The National Park Authority is advised by the Chief Executive (National Park Officer), who is supported by approximately 130 staff.
Terms and Conditions of Service
Pay
Band D
Salary: £19,430 - £23,398 per annum pro rata (with possible progression to £27,668 per annum pro rata). The starting salary is normally at the bottom of the band unless an appointees leaving salary is greater.
This post is classified as an essential user and will therefore be expected to provide a vehicle for business use. The post holder will receive a mileage rate for all work-related journeys of 45p per mile.
Work Base
This post is based at our Colvend office in Grassington, North Yorkshire, however, there will be travel elsewhere in the Park.
Pension
All staff are automatically brought into the Local Government Pension Scheme, unless they elect otherwise. Membership of the LGPS provides access to high quality pension benefits based on final pay.
Hours of Work
This is a part-time post working 18.5 hours per week.
Office hours are Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5.00pm and Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.
The working pattern for this post is to be discussed and agreed – there is flexibility.
A flexitime scheme is in operation. This allows you to vary your start and finish times within set parameters to help your work fit in with your social and domestic responsibilities. If you have accrued sufficient time, the scheme allows you to take up to 12 days extra leave during the year.
Holidays
The holiday entitlement is based on length of service within Local Government or related employment.
On commencement of employment: 25 days, pro rata for part time employees.
After 1 year continuous service: 26 days, pro rata for part time employees.
After 2 years continuous service: 27 days , pro rata for part time employees.
After 3 years continuous service: 28 days, pro rata for part time employees.
After 4 years continuous service: 29 days, pro rata for part time employees.
After 5 years continuous service: 30 days, pro rata for part time employees.
Plus Bank Holidays.
Special Leave
Working for a public sector employer, you will find that we offer favourable entitlements compared with many other employers in regard to time off for such reasons as maternity, maternity support leave, adoption and special leave for various other reasons.
We also support employment initiatives aimed at achieving work/life balance such as parental leave and time off for family emergencies.
Training and Development
The National Park Authority is committed to the professional and personal training and development of its staff. To support this, the Authority has achieved the national Investors in People (IIP) Standard. An appraisal scheme is in place for all staff and opportunities to undertake in-house and external training programmes are available.
Recruitment Clearance
The offer of appointment is subject to medical clearance by Occupational Health and receipt of satisfactory references.
Miscellaneous
New entrants to local government are subject to a probationary period of six months.
The notice period applicable to this post is 2 months.
The Authority operates a non-smoking policy in its offices.
Completed application forms to be returned to the HR Office, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Yoredale, Bainbridge, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 3EL, by 12 noon on Monday 3 July 2017.
If you have not been contacted for interview within three weeks of the closing date, you may assume that your application has not been successful.
Recruitment Pack\