Responsible to: Conservation Land Officer, Shaun Marriott

Located at: Centre for Wildlife Gardening, 28 Marsden Road, London SE15

Responsible for: To assist the Conservation Land Officer (CLO) in leading volunteer workdays to undertake a variety of practical work on London Wildlife Trust’s portfolio of unstaffed nature reserves in the London Borough of Croydon.

Background: In South London, some of the most important reserves that the London Wildlife Trust manages are Hutchinson's Bank,Chapel Bank,Salt Box HIll SSSI,Riddlesdown SSSI,West Kent Golf CourseandBramley Bank. These reserves are predominately on a chalk substrate, making for interesting ecological assemblages that are not found in other parts of London. We undertake various conservation activitiesincluding scrub clearance, small tree felling, chalk grassland restoration and infrastructure repairs.

Overall Responsibilities:

Role:

·  To assist the CLO in the delivery of work relating to key species, habitats and reserve infrastructure across a range of sites.

·  To maintain a photographic record of all work undertaken, and report work undertaken

·  To talk a lead role in organising and delivering practical conservation activities for volunteers on specific sites, but particularly chalk grassland sites in Croydon, including activities designed for different age groups and abilities

·  To supervising volunteers and corporate groups, ensuring all relevant health & safety measures are undertaken and that all are working to site risk assessments.

·  To assist in the maintenance and service of vehicles, tool shed trailers, hand tools and power tools used for conservation work, keeping records and logs of work undertaken as required

·  To assist in monitoring and evaluating

·  To deputise for the CLO where appropriate, liaising with staff, London Wildlife Trust Local Group members, volunteers, landowners, contractors, graziers, and other relevant individuals and organisations as and when required.

In return for this commitment you will receive

 Mentoring including career development support

 Reimbursement of travel expenses from London zones 1-6

 Full London Wildlife Trust volunteer induction

 Reserved places on London Wildlife Trust’s training programme

 First Aid training

 Ongoing support

Other areas of responsibility:

a)  Promotion of the Trust: To volunteer at all times to further the aims of the Trust including promotion of Trust membership. To encourage donations and to assist in and promote related events and campaigns where appropriate.

b)  Health and Safety: All staff and volunteers are legally responsible for ensuring Health and Safety considerations are taken into account in all working situations. Staff and volunteers are encouraged to make reports or suggestions on any matters of concern.

c)  Equal opportunities: To volunteer at all times within the Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy and to promote equal opportunities wherever possible especially with regard to volunteer and membership recruitment.

Details

Internships are unpaid as they are voluntary.

Expenses: Travel expenses from London (zones 1-6) will be reimbursed against receipts and an completed expenses form

Hours: 9.30 am - 5.30pm, including one hour for lunch.

Days: Two days a week (flexible)

Months: Six months maximum

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The following experience, skills and aptitudes are those that we are looking for in candidates for the above role. Those listed as 'Essential' are those that the candidates must have. Candidates who fail to meet these criteria will not be short-listed.

'Desirable' skills and experience are those that it would be advantageous to have, although it is not essential.

Essential / Desirable
Significant experience of delivering practical conservation work on nature reserves, accompanied by a good range of practical land management skills / A diploma in Countryside Management (or equivalent)
Experience and willingness to manage volunteers and lead volunteer work days / Knowledge of South London – its geography, wildlife and culture
An excellent team player with the ability to relate and work with people from a broad cross section of the community / Desire to learn and expand knowledge of urban wildlife conservation
Interest in conservation and involving people in nature conservation work in urban areas / Knowledge of chalk downland
Good organisational and time management skills / Knowledge of Higher Level Stewardship
Good written and verbal communication skills / 4x4 or tractor driving certificate
Proactive and creative thinker / Holding a chainsaw &/or brush cutter licence(s)
Problem solving skills, adaptability / Experience of managing contractors and of liaising with landowners.
Good knowledge of relevant health and safety issues and the ability to work in a safe and responsible manner at all times / Reasonable identification skills for a range of taxa, and some knowledge of standard biological recording techniques
Practical experience of using a wide variety of hand tools, and knowledge of their safe use. (or something about tools talk) / Experience of implementing conservation management plans
Full clean UK driving licence / Current First Aid at Work certificate
Experience of writing and implementing risk assessments for conservation activities.

An enhanced CRB check is not required for this role.

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