Application Pack for Senior Conservation Specialist

August 2015

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR THE POST OF

SENIOR CONSERVATION SPECIALIST

The Candidate

We are seeking a talented and ambitious individual who will help us continue to effectively manage our Nature Reserves for wildlife – ensuring we provide positive opportunity for people along the way. The post holder will also play a key role in helping us to achieve our vision for a living landscape in Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull.

We are situated at the heart of England, in a beautiful part of the country with a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who work hard to deliver the Trust’s aspirations. As part of the Trust’s Reserves and Community Engagement team you will have proven experience and the ability to contribute to change and make exciting things happen.

We are looking for a high achiever with good project managementability,excellent ecological surveyingand monitoring skills and great people skills to support the management of our reserves and inspire others to get involved in monitoring and surveying.

With a first class knowledge of habitat management for conservation, the successful candidate will have a solid background in a broad range of ecological surveying techniques and recording, management planning and monitoring and mapping skills but more importantly will be able to demonstrate their ability and passion for conservation, people and wildlife.

We believe this is a great opportunity for someone who wants to make a real and lasting contribution: if this is you, we would love to hear from you. In return we can offer a great place to work in a supportive and friendly environment.

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust was established in 1970 and now manages some 64 nature reserves, has 23,500 members and is supported by more than 1000 volunteers. The Trust is the largest local conservation charity working across Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull.

Our main purpose is to promote the interests of wildlife, wild places and the natural environment for the wider benefit of society, people and local communities.

The Trust is also a member of the network of 47 Wildlife Trusts covering the whole of the UK, the Isle of Man and Alderney. We are working for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone. With more than 800,000 members, we are the largest UK voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the full range of the UK’s habitats and species whether they be in the country, in cities or at sea. More than 150,000 of our members belong to our junior branch, Wildlife Watch. We manage around 2,300 nature reserves covering more than 90,000 hectares; we stand up for wildlife; we inspire people about the natural world and we foster sustainable living. Last year, we reviewed more than 70,000 planning applications The Wildlife Trusts have a vision to create A Living Landscape and secure Living Seas for the whole UK.

Further information on the Trust and our strategic plan can be found on our web site:

Selection and Assessment

Please submit a completed application form marked “Private and confidential” to reach us by 5.00pm on Wednesday23rd of September 2015.

You can send the form either via email to or by post to:

Senior Conservation Specialist Post, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Brandon Marsh Nature Centre, Brandon Lane, Coventry, Warwickshire, CV3 3GW.

Candidates who appear to best meet the person specification will be invited to attend an interview. We recommend that applicants pay particular attention to demonstrating how they meet the person specification on the application form.

Before the interview, there will be opportunity to give a 10 minute presentation on a given subject. Following the interview there will be a practical assessment that will consist of an exercise designed to give candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and suitability for the post. Further details on the subject of the presentation and the practical exercise will be sent to short-listed candidates.

Appointment

All our offers of employment are made subject to some pre-employment checks including

  • Satisfactory References;
  • Eligibility to work in the United Kingdom;
  • Checks on relevant certificates and qualifications;
  • A Disclosure and Barring Service check is required.

Salary

Your initial salary will be based on your skills, knowledge and experience, and progression through the salary range will be based on your performance. You will be paid monthly in arrears by credit transfer to a bank or building society account.

Location

This post will be based at the Trust’s offices at Brandon Marsh Nature Centre. Employees may be required to work at other Trust or non-Trust sites from time to time. The successful candidate will be expected to travel to visit reserves and other sites around the county; some reserves are in remote locations and many include rough terrain as an integral part of their character. The role will involve some lone working.

Hours of Work

Our employees work a 35 hour week (full time). In view of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s work, employees can be called upon from time to time to work a reasonable period outside of the set hours. No overtime will be payablehowevertime off in lieu will be given for any hours worked in excess of your normal working hours.

Holiday Entitlement

Our holiday year runs from April to March. Full time employees get 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays. For permanent members of staff this increases to 27 days after 2 years and 28 days after 5 years service.

Pension

You will be automatically enrolled in the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Stakeholder Pension Scheme if you meet the eligibility criteria, though you may opt out. Both the Trust and employee contribute 3.5% of salary to the scheme.

Notice

If you choose to leave the Trust you will be required to give 1 months’ notice due the grade of the post.

Equal Opportunities

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is committed to equal opportunities and appoints on merit. We welcome applicants from all sections of society regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, marital status, age and religion, perceived community background or political beliefs.

CVs

Please be advised that CV's cannot be accepted and will not be considered if submitted without a completed application form. A completed Warwickshire Wildlife Trust application form only will be accepted.

Responding to Applications

Thank you for showing an interest in this job and for taking the time to apply. Unfortunately, due to administration costs borne by the charity, we regret that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date then please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

The purpose of this information is solely to provide prospective candidates with details relating to the post. It may not be construed as an offer of employment, nor does it form part of the contract of employment or the role profile.

Job advert:

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust

Senior Conservation Specialist

Full time: 35 hours per week

£22,000Post grade - 2c (£19,788 to £23,919)

The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to ensure our reserves are managed optimally for wildlife and people. The post holder will take responsibility for the planning and monitoring of the management of our nature reserves, ensuring that the Trust’s objectives are delivered in an effective and efficient manner. The post holder will oversee the review and preparation of management plans for reserves to ensure they meet our aspirations and obligations. This will include the management and implementationof agri-environment schemes. Furtherresponsibilities include, undertaking ecological surveys, working with, inspiring and training volunteers, ensuring we know what is important on our sites and implementing a programme of condition monitoring and recording.The post holder will be required to use up-to-date technology and GPS systems as part of the role. The post holder will also liaise and build partnerships withkey stakeholders, local interest groups and deliver landowner advice and advocacy work on behalf of the Trust. The post holder would also be expected to assist with the development of external funding applications.

The Candidate

We are seeking a talented and ambitious individual who will help us continue to effectively manage our Nature Reserves for wildlife – ensuring we provide positive opportunity for people along the way. The post holder will play a key role in helping us to achieve our vision for a living landscape in Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull.

We are looking for a high achiever with good project management ability, excellent ecological surveying and monitoring skills and great people skills to support the management of our reserves and inspire others to get involved in monitoring and surveying.

With a first class knowledge of habitat management for conservation, the successful candidate will have a solid background in a broad range of ecological surveying techniques and recording, management planning and monitoring and mapping skills but more importantly will be able to demonstrate their ability and passion for conservation, people and wildlife.

We believe this is a great opportunity for someone who wants to make a real and lasting contribution: if this is you, we would love to hear from you. In return we can offer a great place to work in a supportive and friendly environment and competitive benefits.

How to apply

Visit our web site for further information and an application form:

Closing Date: 5:00 p.m. Wednesday 23rdof September 2015

Provisional Interview Week: Week commencing 5thof October 2015

Role Profile: Senior Conservation Specialist

Job Summary:

The main purpose of the Conservation Management Officer role is prepare and oversee management plans and to lead / take responsibility forthe surveying, mapping and monitoring of species, habitats and the recording of management on the Trust’s reserves and countywide.

The post holder will:

  • communicate the location of important features (species and habitats) to volunteers, staff and others on reserves; providing intelligence for the coordination of practical management;
  • ensure reserve mapping and species databases are kept up to date, setting up strong links with external groups, and that new opportunities and technologies are embraced to achieve this;
  • lead on management plan writing, ensuring all aspects of reserves management are incorporated and that the review process is consistent and adaptable to site needs identified through recording;
  • ensuring agreements for reserves owned by Local Authorities and other organisations are met and that statutory obligations (SSSI’s) and funding (e.g. HLS/BPS/EWGS) is delivered through monitoring and coordinating reserves management;
  • Complete and administer all agri-environment schemes and Basic Payment Schemes entered into by the Trust.
  • coordinate and deliver a programme of Survey Force (volunteer surveying group) activities across Trust reserves and organise other survey related events and training.

The Officer will work effectively with the team of staff and volunteers charged with implementing the Trust’s wider living landscape agenda beyond our reserves. Our reserves are the building blocks for the future recovery of nature and the post holder will support activities which connect our reserves into wider natural networks. The role also has an external dimension and will also support the development of links and relationships between the Trust, our reserves and local communities. This will involve working with and through a wide range of partners, individuals and others to achieve our objectives.

The post holder is accountable for achieving the best possible outcomes for people and wildlife from the prudent use of allocated resources.

Responsible to: the Reserves and Community Engagement Manager.

Responsible for

  • volunteers, volunteer groups, trainees and any other allocated staff/ volunteers;
  • delivery of reserve management plans and funding obligations;
  • delegated project budgets;
  • vehicles, tools and equipment - specifically technical and GPS equipment associated to monitoring and surveying ;
  • major surveying and monitoring projects on reserves;
  • ensuring compliance with all health and safety risk assessments, guidance and legislation.

This post is permanent and full time (35 hours per week).

Location: Brandon Marsh Nature Centre

Key performance areas:

  1. Monitoring and Surveying
  • Ensure all Trust nature reserves have up-to-date management plans in line with the Trusts targets and that reviews are undertaken to an agreed schedule subject to the approval of appropriate working groups and volunteers.
  • Manage systems for recording reserve management and contribute to the planning of practical reserve management.
  • Oversee the development and implementation of the Trust electronic species database and manage any data exchange agreements with third parties.
  • Manage all agri-environment schemes, ensuring effective delivery of objectives on reserves and any other obligated management works through agreements with local authorities and/or statutory bodies, regularly reporting to managers and relevant contacts.
  • Organise monitoring and surveying of the reserves, their management and wildlife, linking to Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) target habitats and species.
  • Identify funding opportunities for future work specifically relating to monitoring and survey projects, and secure additional resources for conservation projects, and assist with the preparation of larger funding bids.
  • Maintain accurate records of the works undertaken on reserves, through utilising technology and mapping techniques and produce reportsthat allow the monitoring and strategic direction of habitat, species or reserves management to be influenced.
  • Initiate, plan, manage and deliver a range of agreed projects that achieve and promote the Trust’s vision for a living landscape (i.e. Biodiversity Offsetting).
  • Contribute to the strategic development of the Reserves and Community Engagement team.
  • Be accountable for your area of work and provide advice, support and direction in your key specialism.
  1. Management and development of key partners and volunteers
  • Encourage volunteers, stakeholders and key groups to assist with the process of management planning, organising and implementing reserves surveying and monitoring.
  • Develop volunteer groups specialising in surveying and monitoring and utilise individuals with record keeping and database management.
  • Assist with organising training and development programmes for volunteers, groups and the wider public.
  • Act as point of contact for the Biological Records Centre, recorder groups and species related enquiries from the public.
  1. Resources
  • Prepare, manage, monitor, and control delegated project budgets; reporting on progress in an accurate and timely manner;
  • Secure external funding and resources to support the project work of the team and the Trust;
  • Ensure that all allocated vehicles, tools and equipment are secure and maintained in an appropriate manner;
  • Support the 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;
  • Promote the development of relationships and opportunities between the Trust, local communities and landowners;
  • 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 a wide range of events and the production of interpretive materials to inspire and engage visitors and local people about the Trust’s work and the reserves;
  • 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.
  • Provide landowner advice and develop advocacy work in support of the Trust’s objectives.
  1. Personal development
  • Be accountable for their own personal development seeking opportunities to develop new skills and learning;
  • Prepare and implement a personal development plan; participating in appropriate training and learning activities as agreed with the Reserves and Community Engagement Manager.
  1. General Responsibilities
  • Promote the work, mission and vision of the Trust at all appropriate times.
  • Useappropriate opportunities 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.
  • Recruit, supervise and support volunteers as appropriate to the role.
  • Create and maintain a work environment which fosters individual commitment, enthusiasm and confidence, ensuring effective teamwork and communication
  • Be accountable for own personal development, seeking opportunities to develop new skills and learning.
  • Work within all the policies and procedures of the Trust, ensuring own compliance with the Trust’s health and safety policy and procedures and that of your team.
  • 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 for the post.
  • Assist in the preparation of work programmes and fulfil reporting requirements.
  • Carry out any other reasonable duties commensurate with the level of responsibility of the post, as requested by your line manager or the Chief Executive.

K. Curtis – August 2015