Wildlife Ranger (X2)
| Posting date: | 05 June 2024 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £31,175 to £32,476 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 30 June 2024 |
| Location: | Winchester |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 356343/2 |
Summary
Much of the land is of high importance for nature conservation, supporting some 29,000 hectares of SSSI’s of which approximately 27,000 are also designated at a European level as Special Areas of Conservation. The majority of the land managed by the District is also within area designated for their landscape value, including 7,500 hectares with AONBs and 31,500 hectares across two National Parks.
The Public Forest Estate is managed around three pillars of sustainability: People, nature and the economy.
The Ringwood Beat is comprised of 3,500 hectares of mixed woodland across East Dorset and Cranborne Chase that varies from ancient broadleaf woodland to pine forests and areas of heath and mire including areas designated as sites of special scientific interest. Also, a number of Forestry England sites are within walking distance of large urban areas within Dorset where community engagement is a regular occurrence.
The Micheldever Beat covers 3,300 hectares and has several priority sites within it including the Thames Basin Heath SPA which is critically important for ground nesting birds. We work in partnership in this area with stakeholders including Natural England. We have a legal requirement to ensure our activities in this area do not impact the SPA designation which is a key role undertaken by the Wildlife Ranger. To the south of the beat a mixture broad leaf and conifer cover many ancient woodland sites.
The roles have regular access to office facilities across the District including each of the sub-offices in each beat respectively:
Ringwood Beat Office – Ashley Heath, Ringwood BH24 2EJ
Micheldever Beat Office – Kings Worthy nr Winchester SO21 3BP
And full access to our our main District office at The Kings House, Lyndhurst SO43 7NH.
It is our expectation for any successful candidate that they will live within their ‘Beat’. Maps of the Beats can be found attached to this advert in a separate pdf.
Within the personal statement submitted each candidate should state their preferred beat option if successful at interview: Ringwood or Micheldever.
Purpose of the Job
To work as part of the South England forest district Team on either the Ringwood or Micheldever beat to deliver forest protection, habitat conservation and recreation and public affairs objectives.
Key Work Areas
Undertake deer management and produce carcasses to the British Quality wild Venison standard, to control other mammals to protect tree regeneration, forest habitats and biodiversity in line with district policy.
- Develop local conservation work programmes to maintain and where possible increase the quality of designated
- To work actively and cooperatively with the Beat Team, Recreation Ranger and other colleagues to undertake proactive outreach work and engage with visitors to the Ringwood or Micheldever Beat in order to influence and promote behaviour that leads to the protection of forest habitats and infrastructure
- To build and maintain positive relationships with members of the local community, and sporting right tenants.
- To be proactive in undertaking regular liaison with Forest District staff and assist with planning, monitoring and operational delivery
- To build and maintain positive relationships with external contacts, where this benefits collaborative community and wildlife