Reserve Officer - Scottish Wildlife Trust

The Company:

For 60 years, the Scottish Wildlife Trust has established itself as a leader in nature conservation in Scotland, made possible thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff, trustees and ambassadors.Our vision is for a network of healthy, resilient ecosystems on land and sea, supporting Scotland’s wildlife and people.

The Role & Objectives:

• Plan, deliver and report on practical land management works.
• Assess conservation land management options across a range of habitats and work with the Reserve Manager to produce management plans/statements for reserves.
• Undertake practical reserve management works (including coppicing, felling non – native trees, fencing, planting native trees, path work, invasive species control).
• Undertake and manage the maintenance of tools and equipment for relevant reserves, including machinery.
• Ensure all groundworks are assessed, and where relevant, safely remove (non-aerial) hazardous windblown or storm damaged branches or small trees.
• Assist with the development of new conservation projects on selected reserves.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety of all operations, including safe working practices, premises safety, and reserve safety.
• Carry out the annual programme of site risk assessments, formal reserve inspections and tree safety inspections on allocated reserves.

The Candidate:

• Relevant degree or N/SVQ Level 3 / 4 or equivalent relating to countryside management.
• Certificate for trailer, all-terrain vehicles or willingness to undergo relevant training to achieve this.
• 2 years of proven experience of planning, delivering conservation management work and volunteer supervision.
• Demonstrable experience in the safe use and maintenance of hand and power tools.
• Strong natural history knowledge and the ability to relate species and habitats to practical conservation management; specifically native woodlands, lowland peatbogs, wildflower meadows and riparian habitats.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Chainsaw operator’s certificates to Lantra Standards for crosscutting and maintenance, felling and processing of trees up to 380mm and processing uprooted and windblown trees (desirable).
• Use and maintenance of strimmer’s and brush cutters.
• Herbicide Qualifications PA1 and PA6 (desirable).

The Package:

• Flexi time/hybrid working
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and pension schemes
• Weekly wellness hour
• Generous Sick pay allowance
• Enhanced maternity/paternity pay
• Training and Development focus