Would you be up for a new challenge, delivering practical management work across The Lodge and Fowlmere (L&F) reserves? The Lodge, Sandy, is a unique heathland and woodland nature reserve at the heart of the RSPB, and Fowlmere is a jewel of a wetland. With a wide variety of wet and dry habitats to contribute to, heritage and visitor interest, this role offers a unique breadth and variety of work and connection to the wider work of RSPB, and would suit someone with a love of wildlife and managing habitats, strong practical skills, and excellent team-working ability. What the role is about This key role is all about working alongside the Warden to deliver practical conservation and estate work at The Lodge and Fowlmere reserves, assisting with monitoring and surveying including Natterjack Toads and Water Voles, and helping support a great visitor experience to around 100k visitors over the two reserves. At The Lodge there is heathland to maintain with winter work parties and Dartmoor pony grazing. Mixed woodlands are being converted to native broadleaf and adapted for climate change. There are Natterjack Toad ponds, acid grasslands, and arable farmland for wintering passerines. A sand quarry is being gradually restored to heath and bare ground habitats, home to unusual plants and insects. There are around 5 miles of sandy, hilly nature trails. Fowlmere is smaller but no less stunning, with reedbeds, fens and meres, chalk grassland and a chalk stream, a visitor loop with hides, boardwalks and bridges. There is cattle grazing and deer stalkers to supervise, winter scrub and reed cutting, and an ambitious wetland project to complete with contractors adapting ditches and meres to make the site more sustainable in the face of climate change. You would be joining a close-knit and friendly team based at RSPB The Lodge Gatehouse: Senior Site Manager, Warden, Visitor Experience Manager, Shop and Café team, Head Gardener and teams of enthusiastic volunteers. What we need from you: Essential knowledge, skills and experience: Natural history knowledgeMaintenance and use of machinery, tools and equipmentHabitat management, particularly of heathland and reedbedMicrosoft Office packages including Word, Excel, and OutlookProblem solving and coming up with well thought through practical solutionsThe ability to work unsupervised, within a team or leading a teamPractical land management experience and delivering estate management worksFull, manual driving licence that is valid in the UK Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience: Lantra or equivalent qualifications in chainsaw, brushcutter, pesticides(PA1 and PA6)Livestock managementRequirements of local agri-environment and cross-compliance regulationsBiological recordingImplementing 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. This is a Permanent Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week. We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from w/c 12th May 2025. For further information please contact sonya.hardyrspb.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. Please note that we are actively recruiting for this position, and reserve the right to close this vacancy once sufficient applications have been received. We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application. The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.