Western Reserves Officer (Part-time 21 hours p/wk)

Do you want to help Warwickshire Wildlife Trust take its reserves management to the next level? Are you experienced in practical nature reserve management, engaging the public, working with volunteers and want a unique challenge?

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is embarking on a new strategic plan whereby we have restructured our Reserves Team. Therefore we are looking for an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Reserves Officer to lead and deliver our reserves management in the west of the county. Covering a range of habitats spread across 13 sites and a total of 144 hectares, your skills will enhance and manages SSSI’s, LNR’s and everything in between, rural and urban, big and small. You will engage, nurture, enthuse and lead volunteers, including our Nature Force team, to help us achieve our ambition across an array of nature reserves and meet our challenges in ensuring they are in the best condition for wildlife.

We need a person with the knowledge and passion for wildlife to help us do this. Ensuring our sites are welcoming and vibrant, an important part of the role will be developing links with neighbours, stakeholders and engaging with visitors on site through different mediums. Being present and active on these sites will help towards achieving this.

A core part of your role will be being an effective team player, supporting colleagues to deliver the wider objectives of the reserves department. There are opportunities for working and learning with others and reliability is a core behaviour that is required – helping others to achieve as well as meeting your own targets.

Your success will be counted in simple terms: The portfolio of reserves you are responsible for are rich, well managed havens for wildlife and people, and you have built a strong resource of volunteers and partnerships to help achieve this.

Could you do this?

Introduction

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust (WWT) is one of the 47 UK Wildlife Trusts. Established in 1956 we are a community organisation in every sense governed by 14 trustees elected from a membership of 23,500 people, 99% of whom live in the county, and supported by more than 1,000 active volunteers. We manage an estate covering 1,000 ha in Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull and no one living or working in that area is more than 6 miles from one of our 65 nature reserves. More than 25,000 local children joined in our environmental education programme last year, and thousands more people came to our two visitor centres at Brandon Marsh and Solihull, or took part in our vibrant and varied programme of events.

However our reach is also national. As members of the federal structure of Wildlife Trusts we are part of a collective covering the whole of the UK with 800,000 members, 40,000 volunteers and 2,500 nature reserves, working together through a small central unit (the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts). The Wildlife Trusts have a vision of a society where there is more wildlife, more wild places and more people with a strong connection to the natural world. We believe that human beings are part of the natural world, valuable in its own right and as the foundation of our health and wellbeing, as well as our economic prosperity. Being physically and emotionally in touch with wild plants and animals, and with places where they thrive, contributes to our mental and physical health.

Our western reserves that cover Solihull and the surrounding area of the county are some of the most important sites for delivering our vision. 144 hectares across these 13 reserves contain fragile and important grasslands, ancient woodlands and our second visitor hub – the Parkridge Centre, situated in Brueton Park, Solihull. The nature reserve associated to the centre presents itself with a future opportunity to expand our work and engagement in the area.

The reserves included in this portfolio are below:

Shadowbrook Meadows SSSI / Priory Fields LNR
Brook Meadow SSSI / Brueton park (Parkridge centre)
Henley Sidings / Deans Green
Clowes Wood and New Fallings Coppice SSSI / Cuttle Pool
Rough Hill Wood SSSI / EarlswoodMoathouse
Elmdon Manor LNR / Lion Wood (shared with Worc. WT)
Temple Balsall

We’re now looking for a knowledgeable and capable conservationist who can care for our nature reserves and engage local people to take an active role in improving our wildlife havens.

Karl Curtis

WWT Director of Reserves and Community Engagement

Western Reserves Officer

Job Description

Accountable to: / TBC
Location: / Brandon Marsh Nature Centre, Coventry
Remuneration: / Grade 2b £19,380 - £26,520 plus benefits (PRO RATA)
Liaison with: / WWT Reserves and Community Engagement Team, Volunteers, Reserves Volunteer Groups, Volunteer Coordinator and
Numerous external organisations, businesses and individuals
Responsible for:
Hours: / Trainees and Volunteers
Part time, 21 hours per week (0.6 FTE)

Job Purpose:

Prioritise, plan and deliver practical management on a geographically focussed suite of nature reserves, manage all assets, resources and volunteers associated to these and undertake all work safely and in compliance with statutory designations and agreements.

Be the key contact for these reserves and communicate the Trust’s work effectively and work with partners and stakeholders to ensure our challenges are met.

Key Responsibilities:

  1. Reserve management
  • Organise and lead annual work programmes for the Western portfolio of Trust nature reserves, ensuring that all statutory and funding obligations under SSSI management, third party agreements or agri-environment schemes are met.
  • Resources for reserve management are responsibly planned, allocated, procured and managed.
  • Ensure practical delivery elements are prioritised and deliverable according to the priority of the site – managing workloads effectively.
  • Ensure there is an up-to-date management plan for each Reserve and that any review is prepared in consultation with the Senior Conservation Specialist, partners, volunteers and stakeholders as appropriate.
  • Resources for reserve management are responsibly planned, allocated, procured and managed.
  • Ensure adequate practical management monitoring systems are in place and are applied on Trust reserves – utilising technology/mapping programmes.
  • Ensure reserves are healthy, safe and secure by undertaking risk assessments and annual safety inspections – ensuring records are kept and appropriately stored.
  • Plan and implement habitat management, access and interpretation improvement projects including the selection and management of contractors where appropriate.
  • Respond in a timely manner to emergencies on reserves and undertake responsive maintenance.
  • Contribute to strategic development of the Reserves team.
  • Be accountable for your area of work, maintaining and operating powered equipment safely and ensure compliance in delegated H&S responsibilities – for this post being premises and workplace.
  1. Management and development of volunteers
  • Provide a lead supervisory role for Nature Force by supporting volunteers with advice, practical support and training to ensure their competency is secure and maintained.
  • Support, supervise and mentor the work placements or trainees to help them reach the relevant levels of competency.
  • Develop the Trust’s team of Voluntary Wardens and Volunteer Work Party Leadersin conjunction with the Volunteer Coordinator and recruit, support and inspire volunteers working on reserves.
  • Engage with the Trust’s tenants, graziers, contractors and neighbours to achieve the Trust’s objectives.
  • Be the immediate point of contact for the allocated reserve in relation to Trust activities.
  • Support colleagues on practical tasks whereby health and safety requires two competent individuals present i.e. Tractor driving.
  • Ensure that volunteers and groups within local communities are recruited to provide assistance with work on Trust nature reserves and are inducted and trained appropriately.
  • Co-ordinate training (including Health and Safety) and development programmes for volunteers and groups within your portfolio ensuring training and refreshers are delivered.
  • Ensure training records and annual work party visits are undertaken and recorded – taking action in areas of identified need relating to competencies.
  • Plan with other staff the strategic delivery of corporate activities including resource management and maintain a list of potential tasks and projects that are suitable for corporate groups.
  1. Resources
  • Ensure that all allocated vehicles, tools and equipment are secure and maintained in an appropriate manner and that delegated responsibilities relating to the H&S Policy for the reserves team are completed – for this post this is Site Safety Audits.
  • Support the Director of Reserves and Community Engagement Manager to ensure the protection of the Trust’s reputation, finances, holdings and other assets through the operation of appropriate controls and risk management techniques.
  1. External relationships and communications
  • Contribute to a range of relevant external partnerships and develop close relationships with partners and appropriate community organisations.
  • Support the development and implementation of communications plans for reserves; including liaising and representing the Trust in the media to promote agreed messages.
  • Contribute to the production of interpretive materials, social media and publications to inspire and engage visitors and local people about the Trust’s work and the reserves.
  • Maintain health and safety signage and interpretive materials on site and identify repairs and maintenance where necessary.
  • Foster excellent communications internally and externally and work with your team and other relevant officers where applicable; seeking their involvement and offering reciprocal specialised support.
  • Involve local people and the public in the care and management of WWT sites, including consultation and event management.
  • Act as an ambassador for the Trust; liaising with neighbours, the public and local and statutory authorities and representing the Trust externally.
  • Ensure Trust Policies are enforced on reserves in relation to public and volunteer conduct.
  1. General Responsibilities
  • Promote the work, mission and vision of the Trust at all appropriate times.
  • Use every opportunity commensurate with other duties to contribute to the Trust’s membership recruitment, fundraising and engagement of people.
  • Ensure a high level of customer service in all dealings with the public.
  • Ensure continuous development of skills and knowledge required for the post, undergoing training and performance review as required by the Trust.
  • Work within all the policies and procedures of the Trust, ensuring own compliance with the Trust’s health and safety policies and procedures and that of any resources for whom you are responsible.
  • Work at all times within the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy and to promote equal opportunities.
  • Comply with all legal and contractual obligations concerning the responsibilities of your post.
  • Supervise and support volunteers as appropriate to your role.
  • Carry out any other reasonable duties commensurate with the level of responsibility of the post, as requested by the Chief Executive.

K. Curtis 2018

Person Specification for post of Western Reserves Officer

Experience / Essential / Desirable
Practical nature conservation management delivery across a range of habitats / 
Working with, motivating and managing volunteers engaged in practical conservation work / 
Enhancing visitor experience through balanced nature reserve management / 
Project management- experience of leading projects on time and to budget / 
Experiencein securing and managing grant funding schemes / 
Working with contractors and stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes / 
Developing and writing nature reserve management plans and strategies / 
Interpreting to the public via a host of mediums (panels/talks/blogs/articles/events) / 
Effective consultation with the public and community groups / 
Knowledge / Essential / Desirable
Degree level qualification or equivalent in relevant field / 
Industry recognized accreditation and/or qualifications / 
Sound multi-discipline background with an understanding of ecology, practical land management, access and recreation / 
Sound understanding of practical challenges faced in managing conservation sites / 
Understanding the dynamics of why volunteers volunteer / 
Knowledge of species and habitats and experience in recognised survey and monitoring techniques / 
Range of practical qualifications / experience / understanding of countryside management e.g.chainsaw, brushcutter, first aid, pesticides, tractor driving / 
Knowledge of appropriate legislation and compliance issues – including Health and Safety / 
Skills / Essential / Desirable
A wide range of practical conservation management skills and techniques / 
Project and work programme management skills / 
Strong people management skills (volunteers) - High level of emotional intelligence / 
Effective planner with good time management skills / 
A range of communication skills suitable for many different audiences, occasionally in adversarial situations / 
Ability to create solutions and work independently to meet challenges / 
Results focused - Able to prioritise and act with determination to achieve targets / 
Self-aware -Able to demonstrate willingness to develop your own skills / 
Collaborative - Ability to work across teams with a variety of skills / 
Ability to use IT effectively including databases and spreadsheets / 
Ability to use GIS and mapping programmes / 
Full, current driving licence / 
This post requires a completion of a DBS on appointment / 
Personal Qualities / Essential / Desirable
Engaging representative for the Trust / 
Excellent interpersonal skills / 
High level of commitment and enthusiasm for the natural environment / 
Enjoyment of dealing with people / 
Organised and effective / 
Determination to succeed / 
A commitment to the role of charities and the voluntary sector in society / 
Ability to work flexibly out of office hours, occasionally at short notice / 

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR THE POST AND GUIDANCE FOR COMPLETING AN APPLICATION FORM FOR WARWICKSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

Further information can be found on our web site:

It is our intention to appoint the best candidate for every vacancy and to do this fairly we need all applicants to provide relevant information about themselves. This information should relate directly to the requirements of the job, which are listed in the job description and person specification and which are regarded as essential in order to work effectively in post.

We welcome applicants to get in contact about the position if they require further information or want to discuss specific elements of the role. If you want to get in contact please contact the recruiting officer detailed as below:

Karl Curtis – Director of Reserves and Community Engagement

Email:

Telephone: 02476 302912

Your application form should provide us with as much relevant information as possible, in as clear and concise a manner as possible.

Please complete all sections of the form. It may be helpful to do a rough draft first. Please write as clearly as possible.

Specifically where the application form asks for relevant education, training and qualifications, we do not need a full account of your education here but please mention qualifications and/or training which are necessary or relevant to the job.

The section for Relevant Skills, Knowledge and Experience is the most important part of the form. You should use the Person Specification as subheadings providing evidence under each point so we can make an assessment of your suitability.

If you do not use headings provided, the interview panel may have difficulty in determining your suitability for the post.

A Note about CVs

You are welcome to attach your CV but without an accompanying (completed) application form, it will NOT be considered. You must complete the application form in full so that we can receive the same type of information from all applicants and so that you directly address the requirements of the job. Unfortunately writing ‘see CV’, or words to the effect, on the relevant areas of the Application Form is not acceptable and will result in your application not being considered for short-listing.

References

You should nominate two referees to whom we can turn for a confidential reference, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. References will only be taken up for those candidates chosen for interview or, with regard to your current employer, on offer of contract.

The provision of false or misleading information by a candidate who is appointed will be grounds for termination of employment without notice.

Selection and Assessment

The selection panel will comprise of at least 2 people and they will consider your anonymised application objectively. They will assess whether you have addressed the shortlisting criteria detailed in the Person Specification and whether you have provided sufficient evidence in your personal statement.

Where there is high volume of applications, the selection panel will shortlist the candidates who have best demonstrated that they meet the requirements. Please remember that the selection panel is not able to make assumptions about what is written in your application, so be explicit about how you meet the criteria.

The assessment will consist of an interview designed to give candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and suitability for the post. Details will be sent to short-listed candidates.

The application deadline will be Friday the20th of April at 17:00 p.m. 2018. Interviews will be held at the Trust headquarters at Brandon Marsh on the 3rdof May 2018.

All our offers of employment are made, subject to some pre-employment checks, including confirmation of relevant qualifications.

Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust needs to make sure that we adhere to our equal opportunities policy and so we need to monitor our recruitment process. Candidates are asked to complete the form as accurately as possible. The monitoring form will be kept separate from your application form and will not be considered as part of the shortlisting process.

Individual monitoring forms will be securely destroyed after 6 months. However, the information supplied will be collated and retained for future analysis – personal information will not be included in this.