We are looking for a passionate and driven person to lead and deliver excellent land management and livestock operations to support the delivery of conservation objectives on the Lower Lough Erne reserve.
The successful candidate will take a lead in coordinating the work of the reserve team to achieve the best possible outcome for the wildlife on the reserve.
Lower Lough Erne reserve, in Co. Fermanagh is the most westerly RSPB reserve in the UK, and the oldest in Northern Ireland. It consists of 47 islands dotted across the second largest freshwater lake in the UK. The reserve supports nationally important numbers of breeding waders, including curlew and redshank, and the most inland breeding colony of sandwich terns in the world. The reserve also supports a whole host of rare species, including tree lungwort, Irish whitebeam, cryptic wood white and Marsh fritillary butterflies. The vast majority of the reserve is accessible only by boat, including the unique and purpose built livestock cot.
About the Role
Operating from Castle Archdale and Fermanagh House in Enniskillen and working across Lower Lough Erne, the post-holder will lead the team in delivering the objectives for each site as per the management plan. This will include developing and managing a high performing team and growing the numbers of locally based volunteers.
The post-holder will lead the vision and director for ecological elements of the reserve, through the production and delivery of a five-year reserve management plan in order to deliver site objectives. They will lead on the management of the reserve, ensuring best practice for health and safety, cross compliance and animal welfare. Due to the island nature of the reserve, the post-holder will need to take the lead in the day-to-day logistics of the running.
Other roles include leading on livestock and grazing matters, ensuring maintenance of reserve infrastructure and the procurement and maintenance of machinery. They will lead the work programme for priority species management, monitoring and protection, including predator control (eg. fox, mink) and anti-predator fencing and manage small to medium projects. The role will include directing and/or assisting other members of the team and working with a wide range of external project partners and stakeholders.
Essential:
• Higher education qualification in environmental land management of agriculture
• Extensive knowledge of reserve management operations and demonstrable track record in the environmental land management sector
• Demonstrable knowledge of farming systems, livestock infrastructure, animal welfare and legislative requirements and essential administrative / recording systems for livestock management
• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of management in RSPB and with officials from external agencies and government offices
• Good practical land management skills, machinery maintenance and operation
• Ability to work under own initiative and motivate self
• Ability to give competent advice and be able to influence site and reserve managers to achieve compliance, apply best practice and maintain standards
• Ability to drive, computer literate and good personal organisation
• Aware of safety needs for self and others
• Boat handling skills, or willing to learn
Desirable:
• Good standard of written and spoken English and an ability to give clear verbal and written communications.
• Training and facilitation skills for instruction
• Practical experience of estate and livestock management and an ability to apply knowledge to understand how standards and expectations can be applied in RSPB situation.
Additional Information
This is a Permanent Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week.
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 30th June. For further information please contact nancy.reed@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, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. 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.
The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. 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.
