About the role
We’re looking for a highly motivated individual with sound knowledge and experience of practical habitat, conservation and visitor management, preferably in a Country Park or heathland setting, to join our small and friendly team at Avon Heath Country Park, on the Dorset/Hampshire border near Ringwood. Dorset has around 2.5% of the world’s remaining Lowland Heathland, and you will make a real difference and have a genuine impact across the 300+ ha Country Park and outlying sites, which are home to all six British reptiles and rare birds such as Nightjar, Woodlark and Dartford Warblers. Come rain or shine, your love of wildlife will inspire others as you strive to deliver exemplary habitat management and visitor service. This post will involve working 37hrs per week, spread over 5 days, to include varied weekends and very occasional evenings. You must be willing to wear a uniform and work during school holidays. We offer training opportunities in and invest in our staff’s future. If you're passionate about wildlife conservation and countryside management, want to work with others that share your passion and want to share it with others, then this is the role for you.
What will you be doing?
A key member of the park team, you will work closely with the other Rangers to deliver the day to day running of a popular Country Park with 250,000+ visitors every year to ensure a great visitor experience and that the restoration of the 300ha of SSSI Lowland Heathland continues at pace. This is a wide and varied role that includes the maintenance of the heathland, repairs and installation of site infrastructure, conducting ecological surveys, leading volunteers, upkeep of the public areas, delivering educational sessions and events, as well as assisting with visitor services.
Qualifications
* carrying out a range of practical habitat management tasks
* visitor or customer services, preferably in a Visitor Centre or attraction, and of challenging poor behaviours (such as lighting BBQ’s or walking dogs off lead in the nesting season)
* ability to manage your own work and time effectively
* carrying out daily site management tasks such as inspecting play areas and facilities
* ecological surveying
* problem solving skills
* a team player who can motivate and inspire others
* working knowledge of Equal Opportunities and Diversity
* ability to engage visitors and local organisations in park activities to maximise year-round use of the site
Further Information
For more information or an informal discussion please contact Ben Wallbridge, Senior Ranger, Avon Heath Country Park, tel: 01425 478082. Closing date for applications is the 31st May, please ensure to include your telephone number and email address. Interview date June 11th, at Avon Heath. There will be a practical element to your interview, please bring appropriate clothing.
Legal Requirement
This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process.
Equal Opportunity
We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.
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