RSPB Dearne Valley is a series of eight wetland reserves that run along the river Dearne, creating a corridor for wildlife in the area. Featuring a range of habitats including wet grassland, reedbed, fen and wildflower meadows, the sites support a huge assemblage of wildlife in an urban setting. The warden team manage these habitats using a range of techniques from grazing with our own small herd of Konik ponies to taking out large work parties of volunteers.

We are now at a crucial point in the delivery of a four year NLHF project that’s aims to deliver for both people and wildlife, as well as having just received SSSI status for much of the reserve network. You will be supporting the existing warden team at a busy time to deliver important conservation work in order to support the key species in the valley, including Bittern, Lapwing, Snipe and Marsh Harrier.

What's the role about?

. You will work with a large and varied volunteer team as well as our Konik ponies and cattle. You will help with all aspects that ensure reserve compliance obligations and conservation needs are met. Our warden team cover 7 days a week, so this role will require weekend work on a rotational basis. This role will provide plenty of opportunity for someone to develop and gain further experience in land management and practical conservation. 

What we need from you:

 Essential skills include:

• You will have knowledge and experience of practical habitat and estate management.
• Experience of working with and handling livestock
• You will have a proven track record of working of completing work alone and working within a varied team.
• Comfortable managing volunteers from a range of backgrounds
• Reasonable birdwatching knowledge and experience of biological surveys
• Be willing to assist with predator control to benefit ground nesting birds
• Able to use RSPB vehicles to travel between sites
• Practically minded and able to prioritise and deliver an agreed work plan

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Lantra or equivalent qualification in using equipment such as brushcutter and tractor, PA1/6 pesticides.
• Knowledge of servicing and maintaining vehicles, machinery, tools and equipment to agreed standards.
• Implementing and updating health and safety records and assessments.

Additional information:

• This role will involve lone working and working in remote locations.
• This role will require occasional weekend, early morning and evening working so will need someone who is able to be flexible.

Additional Information

This is a Fixed-Term 6 month position for 37.5 hours per week. 

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from the week commencing 8th August 2022. For further information please contact heather.bennett@rspb.org.uk

As part of this application process, you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.