Fancy working in of England’s most dramatic and exciting upland landscapes? Situated in the Eastern Lake District, Haweswater is a mosaic of mossy temperate rainforest, soaring fells, rushing rivers, flower-strewn crags, bogs and meadows. It is home Pied Flycatchers, Peregrine Falcons, Red Squirrels, Atlantic Salmon, Mountain Ringlet Butterflies and rare alpine plants. In partnership with landowner United Utilities, we are working at a landscape-scale to restore habitats for the benefit of people, water and wildlife.

We’re looking for a strong team player with a passion for upland conservation to join our growing workforce, contributing to coordinating and delivering an ambitious land management programme.

What's the role about?

Working closely with the existing site warden, and line managing an Estate Worker, Livestock Assistant and volunteers, you will take a lead in the following key work areas:

• Management and coordination of volunteers, both residential and non-residential, ensuring that all are well supported, have enjoyable experiences and make meaningful contributions to the management of the site.
• Line Management of the Estate Worker, ensuring that they have clear and achievable objectives, and deliver essential estate tasks to a high standard.
• Line Management of the Livestock Assistant, ensuring that they are contributing to the care of Haweswater’s cattle, sheep and ponies in a way that is compliant with health and safety standards, management plan targets and legal requirements.
• Coordination and communication of the site work programme, ensuring that all members of the Haweswater team, stalkers, ecotourism providers and other key stakeholders are aware of what conservation activities are taking place on site.
• Responsibility for site boundaries, ensuring that Haweswater’s many miles of dry stone walls, fences and hedges and checked and maintained.

You will also be expected to help with surveying and monitoring, tree planting and aftercare, livestock management and a range of other activities to deliver Haweswater’s management plan and agri-environment scheme objectives.

As part of a large and multi-disciplinary site workforce you will be expected to contribute positively to an inclusive and supportive team culture.

What we need from you:

 Essential skills and experience include:

• Proven track record in land management and nature conservation.
• Good knowledge of upland species and habitats.
• Experience of and enthusiasm for working with volunteers.
• Experience of line management.
• Experience of livestock and grazing management.
• Sound understanding of health & safety in relation to land management.
• Working knowledge of agri-environment schemes.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, being adept at working with a wide range of colleagues, partners, graziers, contractors, visitors and others.
• Excellent organisational abilities and planned approach to work.
• Experience of surveying and monitoring.
• Working with staff or volunteers.
• Full driving licence.

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Machinery operations and equipment servicing.
• Qualifications in first aid and in the use of quad bike, chainsaw and brushcutter.
• Working with visitors, leading guided walks and events.
• Computer literacy, including experience of Microsoft Office programmes and GIS.

Additional information:

• This role will involve some lone working and working in remote locations.
• This role may require occasional weekend, early morning and evening working.
• This is a practical role with an expectation of 2 to 3 days a week working out on site, often in challenging terrain and weather. 

This is a Permanent, Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week. 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on 12th June 2023. For further information, please get in touch with lee.schofield@rspb.org.uk

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

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 on nature's side and more diverse people. People of colour and disabled people are underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sectors. 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.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.