Reserve Manager - Avalon Marshes

Reserve Manager - Avalon Marshes

Closing date:
Salary: £29,000
Contract type: Permanent / Working hours: Full time
Location:
Avalon Marshes, Shapwick Road
Westhay
We have an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic Team working on the beautiful Avalon Marshes reserve.

The Reserve Manager will work within the Reserves and Land Management team to deliver practical conservation work for a variety of habitats and species, delivering annual work programmes. The post will be responsible for managing volunteer groups and contractors, visitor management, and safety on reserves, as well as delivering, monitoring, and reporting on a number of agri-environment agreements and externally funded projects.

Reserve Manager

Job Description – Key Responsibilities and Tasks

Responsible for all aspects of management for a number of nature reserves, to maximise their role in implementing the wider Trust strategy. Working with contractors and volunteers to deliver practical land management for habitats and species.

Responsibility 1: 

Deliver work plans on reserves according to management plan objectives, agri-environment or green finance agreement obligations and any funded projects by:

  • Creating budgeted annual (seasonal) work programme for reserves or projects under your management
  • Delivering programme of annual H&S checks – tree safety, infrastructure etc
  • Delivering work/prescriptions detailed in HLS/CS agreements or green finance plans for each year and collect any required monitoring/reporting information/evidence across the Brue Valley reserves
  • Delivering management needs according to management plans on reserves outside of agri-environment schemes, or any project or funded work
  • Planning and delivery of contractor works
  • Management planning
  • Visitor and access management including interpretation and communications
  • Representing Reserves Team on relevant internal and external groups and meetings and contribute to Trust internal policy, processes and strategic discussions

Responsibility 2: 

Funding for reserve management by:

  • Countryside Stewardship and funding for reserves management - Oversee new agreement applications, agreement renewals and any emerging agri-environment options to optimise revenue
  • Contributing to search for potential other funding sources through green finance – BNG etc, that meet our strategic objectives
  • Being responsible for developing and delivering externally funded projects
  • Project development for external project funding and utilising local funding pots relevant in each geographical area

Responsibility 3: 

Volunteer management and responsibility and management of workshop, tools and equipment maintenance and reporting/recording through:

  • Risk assessments, LOLER, First aid kits, maintenance records for equipment, vehicles and power tools
  • Overseeing volunteer management across reserves (groups, wardens, assistants, H&S recording) and line manage or mentor trainee placements as required

Responsibility 4: 

Responsible for a suite of reserves including budgeting, work programming, grazing contracts and returns, contractors and delivery of management by:

  • Overseeing the administration and coordination of budgets, work planning and agreement contracts.

Application Process

Please complete the application form below and send with your CV to recruitment@somersetwildlife.org 

For further information on the role contact Rachael Fickweiler, Head of Nature Reserves and Land Management at rachael.fickweiler@somersetwildlife.org.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

  • 7% employer pension contribution
  • Life assurance
  • An annual professional institution subscription if applicable
  • Flexible and agile working
  • Wellbeing support – EAP, wellbeing champions
  • Diversity networks through RSWT/TWT
  • Paid volunteer days
  • Continuous Professional Development opportunities
  • 33 days of holiday (25 + bank holidays)
  • Staff social calendar and events

The opportunity to make a real and positive difference to nature, communities and the climate