Salary: £23,809.50 and £25,688 per annum depending on skills, knowledge and experience
Grazing Assistant
Closing date: Friday 28 February 2025
Contract type: Permanent / Working hours: Full time
Location:
Foxburrow Nature Reserve, Saddlemakers Lane, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1NA
Working five out of seven days each week (Monday to Sunday)
We are recruiting a Grazing Assistant to work closely with our Grazing Manager in the day-to-day management and care of livestock across all Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserves.
Since being founded in 1961, Suffolk Wildlife Trust has led the way in conservation across Suffolk, protecting some of the county's most important wildlife areas. As a grassroots organisation, we’re passionate about ‘Bringing nature back’ by inspiring and empowering local communities to care for and act on behalf of nature, while managing our 50 nature reserves and advocating for wildlife.
Grazing is a crucial tool in habitat conservation, helping to create and maintain diverse landscapes that support a wide range of plant and animal species. This role is central to ensuring that grazing is carried out effectively and sustainably, contributing to the Trust’s vision of a Wilder Suffolk.
The primary purpose of this role is to enhance ecological outcomes by facilitating naturalistic grazing practices. This approach supports biodiversity by maintaining open grasslands, controlling scrub and promoting a mosaic of habitats that benefit pollinators, birds and other wildlife.
As Grazing Assistant, you will provide both technical and practical support, helping to implement best practices in livestock husbandry, infrastructure maintenance and grazing administration.
Your work will ensure that livestock, including sheep, cattle, and ponies, are managed in a way that optimises their contribution to habitat management while maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare. This involves routine livestock checks, monitoring grazing impacts and assisting with the safe movement of stock between sites.
Additionally, you will play an important role in coordinating with external graziers, ensuring that their animals are effectively integrated into our grazing practices and that clear communication is maintained. You will also assist with record-keeping, compliance with regulations and preparations for inspections, helping to ensure that all livestock operations run smoothly.
This is a vital role within the Trust, directly contributing to our ambitious conservation goals. By ensuring that grazing is effectively managed, you will be helping to restore and sustain 30% of Suffolk’s landscapes for wildlife by 2030, allowing species and habitats to recover and thrive.
This role offers an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about both livestock management and wildlife conservation, eager to be part of an enthusiastic conservation team making a tangible difference to the natural world.
This is a permanent, full-time position working 37.5 hours per week (five out of seven days) based at our Foxburrow Nature Reserve (near Woodbridge). The starting salary will be between £23,809.50 and £25,688 per annum depending on skills, knowledge and experience.
To apply for this opportunity, please submit an application via our website by 8:00am on Friday 28 February 2025. The application process will include uploading a CV and cover letter.
The interviews are planned for Tuesday 18 March 2025 at our offices at Foxburrow Nature Reserve. Please indicate on the application your availability for interview.
Annual leave entitlement starts at 33 days per annum (including Bank Holidays), increasing annually to 38 days plus employees receive an extra day off for their birthday. We offer a 9% employer pension contribution with no employee contribution required, free 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme, free life insurance from day one of employment, free access to a private GP and discounts at high street retailers. Staff can also enjoy a 10% discount in our visitor centre cafes, including retail plus public engagement staff receive logo clothing.
Suffolk Wildlife Trust is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone is welcome. As a conservation charity, we recognise the importance of diversity in both nature and our workforce of staff and volunteers. We strive to ensure that everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute to our vision of “A Wilder Suffolk where nature is thriving and abundant because everyone is doing more to help”.
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