Reserve Ranger, Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve

Bakewell

Salary £27,590

Natural England is seeking a highly motivated and professional individual with a real passion for nature conservation, to join established colleagues within a small team managing over 400 hectares on the Derbyshire Dales NNR. Comprising a mosaic of woodland, scrub, grassland and freshwater habitats within five different dales, much of the NNR is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is home to a wide range of rare species.

Reporting to the Senior Reserve Manager and Reserve Manager, you’ll help deliver the day-to-day practical conservation and estate management of these internationally important sites. Working both within a small team and by yourself, you’ll demonstrate practical aptitude and initiative alongside excellent teamwork and communication skills. You’ll be proficient in the safe use of a variety of vehicles, tools and machinery associated with countryside conservation estate work; you’ll also need to be physically fit and able to operate safely and effectively in remote locations, as day-to-day tasks are often conducted on steep, challenging terrain and require working outside in all weather conditions.

Job description

Helping to deliver the aims of the NNR Management Plan, you’ll undertake a wide range of practical land management across the site. Demonstrating initiative and safe working practises, you’ll work alongside and supervise others (volunteers, contractors, apprentices etc.), in addition to operating effectively as a lone worker. Key skills will include:

Helping deliver site management, you will undertake a wide range of practical land management across the site. Working within a small team, which at times requires working alongside and supervising volunteers and contractors, in addition to operating effectively as a lone worker, you will be expected to consistently demonstrate initiative and safe working practices.

You will have the opportunity to contribute towards other areas of NNR work such as surveying and monitoring, species conservation, public engagement and partnership working, however the main tasks associated with this role will be:

• Day-to-day practical habitat management: habitat/species/environmental monitoring as set out in the NNR Management Plan, maintaining records as required
• General estate work and maintenance of site infrastructure including fences, dry-stone walling, cattle handling facilities, mine shafts, paths/trackways, estate furniture (stiles, bridges etc.) and interpretation signs.
• Operation of a wide range of estate machinery, tools and equipment in addition to carrying out their associated maintenance, repairs, checks and record keeping.
• Woodland management on very steep terrain, including tree felling with chainsaws, tree planting which includes the logistical challenge of accessing the work site with materials. Other woodland work includes tractor and winch work, woodchipper and pesticide spraying.
• Scrub management on steep terrain, with chainsaw, brush cutter and applying pesticides.
• Installation and upkeep of stock fencing, on steep, rocky sites.
• Tractor operation using a wide range of machinery, including front end loader and attachments, trailers, post driver, timber winch, mowers, baler and hay making machinery.
• Stock management of the NNR’s herd of cattle, used for conservation grazing. You’ll contribute towards livestock checking, handling and herd management.

Person specification and competencies required

Technical/specialist knowledge/qualifications

Essential

• Understanding of nature conservation, ecology, and habitat management for wildlife
• Experience delivering practical estate work and land management, ideally within the nature conservation sector, with associated hand tools and/or machinery
• Chainsaw qualification for small tree felling (e.g. NPTC CS30 & CS31 or equivalent) with consolidated experience
• Experience in tractor operation including implements and attachments (ideally with NPTC or LANTRA qualification)
• Experience of working around livestock and a willingness to work with them
• Good understanding of health and safety, and of conducting and implementing risk assessments in relation to site management
• Full UK Driving Licence
• First Aid at Work qualification OR the willingness to undertake this once in post
• Experience driving, reversing and manoeuvring with trailers.

Desirable

• Level 2 (or higher) qualification in countryside management/a similarly relevant subject
• Natural history identification skills, survey and monitoring habitat/species management
• Competent and experienced in animal husbandry, including handling and moving livestock
• First Aid at Work qualification, ideally with +F
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