Estate Worker - South Essex Reserves

The South Essex team are looking for an enthusiastic, resilient and resourceful Estate Worker to help deliver our conservation objectives across our six reserves - Bowers Marsh, West Canvey Marsh, Canvey Wick, Vange Wick, Vange Marsh and Stanford Wharf. This a permanent, full-time position.

The successful applicant will be responsible for the estate maintenance. In the role of estate worker, you will help us deliver an ambitious work programme of practical conservation and hands-on habitat management. Ideally, you will have experience of using various reserve machinery to maintain and enhance our grazing marsh, islands, lagoons, reedbeds and SSSI brownfield habitats. You will be working in a small, motivated team carrying out habitat and infrastructure maintenance, health and safety checks, machinery maintenance, as well as the opportunity to assist with the delivery of projects and contracts for the ongoing enhancement of our reserves.

This post will, undoubtedly, enhance and develop your skills and knowledge to progress your career.

Essential qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience

• Ability to work alone and working within a varied team.
• Be willing to assist with predator control to benefit ground nesting birds.
• Well organised approach to work including developing and effective prioritisation of workplans and workloads.
• Implementing and updating health and safety records and assessments. 
• Knowledge and experience of servicing and maintaining vehicles, machinery, tools and equipment to agreed standards.
• Practical land management experience and delivering estate maintenance works
• Full, manual driving licence that is valid in the UK.
• Be able to communicate effectively. 

Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Knowledge of compliance on nature reserves. eg. Countryside Stewardship. 
• Lantra or equivalent qualification in using machinery, including; Brushcutter, Tractor, Knapsack Sprayers (Pesticides), 4x4 off road driving.

Additional information:

• This role will involve lone working and working in remote locations.
• This role will require occasional weekend, early morning and evening working so will need someone who is able to be flexible.
• The opportunity to gain knowledge of wildlife identification and surveying techniques.

This is a Permanent Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week. 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on the 15th May 2024. For further information please contact [email protected]

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.

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.