Trainee Wildlife Ranger - Kielder, United Kingdom - Forestry Commission

Forestry Commission

Verified Company

Kielder, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

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Description

Details:

Reference number:

Salary:

- £20,164

Trainee
Job grade:
Administrative Assistant
PayBand 7
Contract type:
Fixed Term
Loan
Secondment
Length of employment:
2 years with the option to extend if required

Business area:

FC
Forestry England
North England Forest District
Type of role:
Operational Delivery
Working pattern:
Flexible working, Fulltime, Job share
Number of jobs available:
1Contents

Location

About the job

Benefits:

Things you need to know

Location

Kielder Forest, NorthumberlandAbout the job

Job summary:

North England Forest District is headed by Kevin May and has a complement of 128 staff.

The district is the largest in England, covering some 86,000 ha across the Counties of Northumberland, Durham, Cumbria and Lancashire.

The district is comprised of 61,000 ha of forest and 25,000 ha of open land. Annual timber production is m3 (30% of England's timber production).

The district has 45 SSSIs totaling over ha and is a major contributor to local biodiversity through projects such as red squirrels, ospreys, and red kites,
forest wilding and Vision for Nature, limestone woodland and blanket bog restoration.
The District also has five visitor centres at Gisburn, Grizedale, Whinlatter, Kielder and Hamsterley. The public forest estate in North England District attracts over one million visits per annum.

The wildlife team consists of 12 wildlife rangers who report directly to the Wildlife Managers and the districts deer cull target is c3500 per annum with the largest proportion being roe deer (approximately 3000)

Job description:

The purpose of the Trainee Wildlife Ranger post will be to train up an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to commence a safe and effective career in wildlife management.

Initially, the Trainee Wildlife Ranger will be supporting the Wildlife Rangers in Kielder Forest and have access to their own beat area focusing primarily on deer culling.

In addition, there will also be opportunities to support the team with conservation and operational roles.

Full training and mentoring will be given to reach the standards required; the trainee will be expected to meet a large cull within the main block after initially settling into the role.

Location
The successful applicant will be expected to reside in or near Kielder village. A house may be available within Kielder village.

North district deer management strategy is to reduce crop and habitat damage by means of culling on a landscape scale across the district.

To achieve this objective the cull is carried out by a professional team of Wildlife Rangers who undergo a high level of training.

The successful applicant will undergo all relevant trainee and mentoring which will give them the skills to produce a cull of 350 per year to the high standards required.

To support the current wildlife team with the flexibility to cover periods of sickness.
To create the opportunity to a highly skilled member of FE wildlife team based in Kielder who can work across the North covering both conservation and deer culling elements of the role.
To build an interest in conservation projects and the districts bigger picture regarding existing wildlife projects and future wilding opportunities (Vision for Nature). Being based at Kielder will enable a solid understanding of the conservation elements of the role working alongside volunteer groups and stakeholders blended with visits to the Northwest main block to gain knowledge and understanding of deer control working with the team to achieve large culls within the Kielder main block to reduce tree crop damage to an acceptable level.

Responsibilities

Train to undertake safe use and maintenance of firearms in line with Forestry Commission procedures.
Under guidance take on management duties at the Kielder deer larder.
Produce deer carcasses to the highest standard and maintain a high level of cleanliness in the larder.
Train to become a safe and effective Wildlife Ranger operating on the Public Forest Estate managing populations of wild deer in accordance with national best practice and Forestry England guidance.
Gain experience to be able support and offer advice to local beat teams on damage to trees and other vegetation/natural habitats caused by rabbits, deer, and other herbivores.
Support the wider district team with conservation work such as bat box monitoring, raptor work and wilding projects.
Build knowledge and confidence to work within a team supporting other colleagues as necessary and contribute to forest district wildlife and design plans.

Person specification:

Essential

Be highly motivated with a strong work ethic able to think positively and independently to achieve the district objectives.
Deer Management Qualification Level
Full UK Driving Licence

Desirable