Herefordshire Wildlife Trust (HWT) is one of the 46 Wildlife Trusts and is the leading wildlife charity in Herefordshire. We are dedicated to protecting the special wildlife in Herefordshire and encouraging people to enjoy, care for and act for nature. We own and manage nearly 60 Nature Reserves across the county. We manage our Trust Reserves to demonstrate best practice in land management, to maximize conservation benefits for the priority county species and habitats, to integrate Reserves into larger ecological networks and to support the work of the Living Landscape projects and Nature Recovery Networks. Grant-funded projects on or connected to our Nature Reserves that help us achieve these aims are a key element of this work under our 2023-26 Strategy.We’re Wild About Inclusion. To us, this means inspiring, empowering and engaging people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and abilities, to change the natural world for the better. It also means cultivating inclusive workspaces that are free from discrimination, where differences are valued, everyone can be themselves and flourish, just like natureAre you passionate about protecting wildlife and conserving natural habitats?We are looking for a skilled and enthusiastic Park Ranger to join our reserves team and play a vital role in preserving biodiversity and ensuring the sustainable management of our reserves.As a Park Ranger you will manage, monitor and protect Herefordshire Wildlife, implementing conservation programs to enhance habitats for wildlife and engaging the community in nature conservation. The role is perfect for someone who enjoys the outdoors, has a strong understanding of ecological principles, and is committed to making a real difference for wildlife and the environment.Job Title: Park RangerMain Job Purpose:The Park Ranger will support in the management and ongoing maintenance of our flagship reserves and Country Park. As part of the role they will: Provide practical land management delivery with intellectual oversight to prepare implement, monitor and review site management plans Engage with a range of internal and external stakeholders, partners, landowners, volunteers and contractors to implement management plans to ensure the successful management of the sites Deliver practical habitat, infrastructure work and estate management work, utilising key volunteer teams and oversee the delivery of works undertaken by contractors to support the management of the sites Co-ordinate the teams Volunteer Assistant Reserve Officer (VARO) scheme Term: Permanent/ Full time Reports to: Reserves ManagerLocation: Queenswood and HWT ReservesManagement Responsibility: Volunteer work parties, Volunteer wardens, VolunteersLiaison with: Reserves Manager, Contractors, Volunteers, Partners and landownersKey Responsibilities:1. Habitat Maintenance and Conservation:Produce, implement, monitor and review site Management Plans including mapping of key features, according to best practice and experience; Manage habitats and monitor in accordance with management plans, ensuring the plans are fit for purpose Ensure funded grant programmes (e.g. Environment Schemes, National Lottery and Landfill Communities Fund etc.) are delivered inaccordance with the funding deliverables and to an agreed timescale Liaise and be the point of contact with our funders at the Coronation Fund Undertake maintenance work including but not limited to: fencing and gateway repairs, tree works, hedge maintenance, grass cutting, building maintenance etc; Employ contractors to undertake management and capital work as required, in line with HWT procurement policy; Undertake assessment and surveys at sites including but not limited to: tree and hedge surveys, habitat surveys, infrastructure audits, etc 2. Public Engagement and Education: Recruit and manage the Queenswood and Bodenham Lake volunteer groups: create work plans and ensure their work is carried out in line with the HWT’s Health and Safety policy; Co-ordinate the teams VARO scheme, organising training, upskilling volunteers and co-ordinating work parties Organise, promote and lead volunteer work parties undertaking practical management works on sites and support volunteer-led work parties, ensuring all work is carried out in line with the HWT’s Health and Safety policy; Lead guided walks and other public engagement activities and work with colleagues to produce interpretation for the sites; Produce information for reserves and contribute the HWT media profile with articles and news stories for our members Work closely with our Nature Action team and Commercial Team to develop and implement the business plan for our flagship sites. 3. H&S Compliance:Ensure appropriate Health and Safety measures are in place in your work including: Prepare, implement, and review sites and activity risk assessments Conduct regular checks and reporting on Reserve infrastructure Conduct Tree safety inspections and other safety inspections as relevant Report incidents and near-misses through appropriate channels, including RIDDOR Comply with Reserve Team health and safety procedures including Lone Working, Working near Water, Safeguarding, COSHH, PUWER, LOLER, HAVS Undertaking regular maintenance of tools, equipment, machinery and work vehicles Adhere to H and S procedures with volunteers and respective work parties, completing relevant paperwork and active monitoring requirements 4. Research and Data Analysis Contribute to the HWT’s environment scheme applications through the completion of maps and forms; Undertake annual survey on individual reserves as required (ie bird surveys, botanical surveys, tress surveys, habitat surveys) Collect and collate date on individual reserves including but not limited to: infrastructure, public access, ecology, biodiversity and species management. 5. Collaboration and Liaison: Work proactively with partner organisations, landowners and other stakeholders and advisors, particularly in the vicinity of HWT Nature Reserves, to minimise external pressures on Reserves and maximise opportunities to pursue more sensitive management and use of connected land and landscapes; Attend regular Reserve Team and HWT Staff meetings and contribute to the smooth running of the Reserves Team activities 6. Reports and Budgets Manage individual reserve budgets, including applying for, managing, claiming, and reporting on grant funding including Government Environment Schemes (ie HLS, CSS, SFI). Assist the Reserves Manager in the preparation and monitoring of annual budgets using Xledger software Prepare reports and data when required for budgets, project reporting, environment scheme evidence, carbon audits and impact measures Other duties Undertake Health and Safety duties commensurate with the post and as detailed in the Trust's Health and Safety policy; Comply with all other organisational policies and relevant legislation e.g. Equal Opportunities – it being the responsibility of the post holder to make themselves aware of such items Take advantage of formal and informal opportunities for personal and professional development, participate in appropriate training activities in consultation with your line manager Cascade relevant skills and knowledge to relevant staff and volunteers Act as an ambassador for Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, constructing and maintaining positive relationships with volunteers, visitors and other organisations Actively encourage those you with whom you come into professional contact to become members of HWT (all staff are regarded as membership recruiters) Undertake any other work that might be deemed necessary by HWT commensurate with the level of responsibility of this post. Work with the broader HWT team on any other activities that match your skills and abilities as agreed with your line-manager Person specificationQualificationsDegree or relevant experience in Biological/Environmental Science, Ecology, or Countryside Management and/or at least 3yrs proven experience in delivering habitat management for biodiversity through volunteers, contractors, and graziers.Knowledge and Experience Experience of practical conservation and estate management techniques and, with familiarity and competence of a range tools Experience of leadership, supervision, recruitment and training of volunteers Experience of writing, monitoring, and reviewing management plans; Experience of Common Standards / Rapid Assessment Monitoring; Experience of SHE regulations including Risk Assessments Knowledge of wildlife habitats, associated species and their management Knowledge of relevant UK and European Countryside and Rights of Way and Wildlife and Countryside legislation Desirable Knowledge of current Government Environment and woodland management schemes Experience of working to budget and grand funded projects Experience of dealing with conflict and complaints First aid at work certificate Skills Essential Volunteer management, reporting and development skills; Strong practical wildlife habitat and estate management skills, including fencing, tree felling, forestry, grassland management, infrastructure and signage installation; Chainsaw certificates for maintenance, cross-cutting and felling small trees; Strimmer and brush cutter certificate; Physical fitness and willingness to work outdoors in all weathers; An ability to organise and prioritise work, generate and assess ideas and adopt a logical problem-solving approach. Excellent verbal and written communication skills; Enthusiastic and motivated with a positive approach to problem solving and resource management; Problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to conservation challenges. Proficiency in data collection, GPS mapping, and using wildlife monitoring tools. Excellent communication and public engagement abilities. Proficient IT skills, MS Office and Outlook Other Essential Physical fitness and ability to work in challenging outdoor environments. Clean Valid Full Driving licence Clean Enhanced DBS Check Willingness to work at weekends and outside office hours Personal Attributes Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Passionate about the importance of British wildlife and the natural environment to the health and sustainability of the planet’s climate and eco-systems. Passionate about promoting ecological land use. Proactive and enthusiastic, with a willingness to take accountability Benefits 25 days holiday plus bank hols p.a. pro rata with incremental increase with length of service5% Employer pension contributionsFlexible workingHealth cash plan- Sick PayFree parkingHWT work wear as relevantTraining & development- Work and live in a beautiful rural county with a relatively low cost of living NoteThis is a Full time Permanent role, 37 hours per week.Please submit an up-to-date CV and supporting statement. When writing your supporting statement, please refer to the person specification within the job description, and ensure you describe your relevant knowledge, skills and experience relevant to the role. Ideally, your CV and supporting statement should be in an editable format, such as Word, so we can anonymise your documents prior to the short-listing process. Please DO NOT include any personal details (name, address etc) on your supporting statement.The closing date is 10th January 2025.We look forward to hearing from you