This is a great opportunity to work on an exciting major project aimed at restoring Wales' precious temperate rainforests. These beautiful and valuable oak woods and the rich lower plant assemblages they support are under threat, mainly from invasion by Rhododendron ponticum and other invasives, but over- or under-grazing and lack of management is also a significant issue. The Celtic Rainforests LIFE Project will improve the conservation status of these habitats across five SACs in Wales, from North Snowdonia to Gwenffrwd Dinas, near Llandovery. You will be working in some stunning locations with some inspiring wildlife - and people! You can find out more on the project's own website.

About the role

The Grazing Officer will be a home-based job and will be full-time until October 2022, but then moves to 0.6 FTE until the end of the project in August 2025 with a pro-rata salary level decrease. 

Working with landowners, farmers and local communities, you will work to (re)-introduce grazing to some beautiful ancient woodlands across Wales. An in-depth understanding of conservation grazing will be needed as you will be working in some very precious and sensitive habitats.

Responsibilities:

• Secure consents and permissions for work across the pre-identified grazing demonstration sites across the project area.
• Develop and negotiate grazing agreements.
• Provide advice on grazing based upon practical experience and knowledge of grazing stock and habitats to the project and its partners.
• Tender for, organise, and oversee contractors in delivery of agreed and costed works in habitat management, and grazing infrastructure installation.
• Provide advice based upon experience and a wider knowledge of appropriate types / breeds of stock
• Network and contribute toward the development of strong community partnerships’ and excellent working relationships with landowners and graziers.
• Develop a network of grazing lookers across the project to support project partners core staff.
• Implement monitoring across grazed sites to evidence management and support project justification of sites moving toward favourable condition.
• Develop case studies and help to organise demonstration and engagement events for audiences of schoolchildren, farmers, interested parties and policy officers.
• Work with policy officers to develop advocacy around the benefits of woodland grazing for wildlife and graziers
• Liaise with other groups working on the Celtic Rainforests. 

Skills, knowledge and experience

• Demonstrable experience of conservation grazing
• Practical understanding of grazing infrastructure
• Understanding of agri-environment schemes
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and presentational) – including an ability to produce clear written communications
• Ability to create excellent working relationships with a range of stakeholders and to enthuse and inspire in order to achieve the outcomes of the project.
• Experience of working with internal and external stakeholders, and in partnerships, to achieve shared outcomes.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to find creative solutions to changing circumstances.
• Competent user of core MS Office programmes.
• Valid Drivers licence.

For all application/role enquiries please contact - julia.harrison@rspb.org.uk

Please note that you will be required to only complete an online application form where you will be given the opportunity to tell us why you are best suited for this role.

Before applying we would recommend reading  through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert on our careers page.

We are actively recruiting for this role and reserve the right to close this advert at any time.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer.