2165 - Warden - Thames Basin Heaths Partnership

Working as part of a wardening team, you will be expected to be flexible, working largely outdoors, on-site and your work will include:

Educating all users of the SPA to value the heathland habitat and make informed decisions about how to behave in order to protect it, including; in particular, encouraging responsible dog walking through on-site wardening on foot throughout the year across the SPA.

Discouraging negative recreational activities where they impact on the SPA (e.g. reckless cycling, motorcycling), and reporting and recording illegal activities (e.g. arson, dumping).

Promoting the use of Suitable Accessible Natural Greenspace (SANG) sites as an alternative visitor destination to SPA visitors.

Working with colleagues in the SAMM team to develop and extend the educational resources and innovative public engagement strategies including designing and producing communication materials, attending public events and leading guided walks.

Working with existing landowner/ land management staff and colleagues to assess visitor infrastructure and focus on the practical experience of visitors to identify on-the-ground improvements through surveys and feedback.

Developing partnerships with landowners and land managers by undertaking practical heathland conservation works, using hand tools during winter weather conditions.

Technical/specialist knowledge/qualifications

You will:

Have the ability to communicate effectively with the public, land managers, partner organisations, and colleagues and have a good understanding of the principles of working with partner organisations to achieve common goals.

Have broad knowledge of the lowland heathland habitat and the pressures on it arising from housing development and a basic knowledge of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, Habitats Directives, CRoW and Town and Country Planning Act.

Have a keen desire to learn more about heathland and access management, heathland species, public engagement and partner working.

Have a proven track record of proactive public engagement and using your own initiative to arrange and lead events that engage and educate the public.

Be self-motivated, enthusiastic and used to working without direct supervision, having a confident and innovative approach to developing ideas and projects.

Have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office Outlook, Excel and Word. Experience of web based communication and social media would be an advantage.

Experience of engaging with dog owners and knowledge of supporting dog owners with dog behaviour would also be an advantage.

Have a full UK driving licence.

Be willing to travel to the Thames Baisin Heaths SPA daily and be willing to undertake some early morning, evening and weekend work.

Closing Date: 23rd September 2018 at 23:55

Ann Conquest

Thames Basin Heaths Partnership Project Manager.

ann.e.conquest@naturalengland.org.uk

Tel. 07747 040059