Conservation Grazing Manager

We are looking for an organised, dynamic, and passionate person to lead the conservation grazing team to managing native-breed cattle, ponies (and possibly pigs) on this large and exciting upland reserve.

Wild Haweswater is a collaborative partnership between RSPB and United Utilities at the heart of the Lake District. This is an exciting and varied role that presents a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference for nature at scale! Haweswater is one of the RSPB’s most significant flagship upland reserves, and this role will see the successful candidate drive forward our conservation grazing vision to restore natural processes on this extensive site.

To make a success of this opportunity, you will be a capable livestock manager with the ability to work well with a broad range of contacts, both within the RSPB and United Utilities and beyond. You will be able to apply your strong nature conservation and people management skills in a pragmatic and focused way to enable the reserve team to deliver the best possible outcomes for water quality, priority habitats and species.

What's the role about?

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in driving and overseeing the delivery of conservation grazing across Wild Haweswater to help renature this important site.

The reserve sits in the Eastern Fells in Cumbria. It hosts important populations of many species, such as rare alpine plants, woodland birds like Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler, Mountain Ringlet and Marsh Fritillary butterflies, Ring Ouzel and Red Squirrels. The reserve has extensive areas of montane habitats, Atlantic oak woodland and flower rich hay meadows. We've undertaken a major programme of high-profile habitat restoration works, including peatland restoration, upland woodland creation and river restoration. Our conservation grazing team manages the site with extensive cattle grazing (utilising NoFence technology) and Cumbrian Fell Ponies, to deliver our ecological land management vision.

Management on the reserve is often multi-layered and complex, so forward thinking, and a keen willingness to solve practical problems will be required. 

The successful candidate will also have an important external role, building positive relationships with key partners and stakeholders, so that the importance of conservation grazing management to meet our goals is understood and furthered within relevant partnerships, communities, the media and to a range of stakeholders and decision makers.

Key elements of the role include managing the grazing team, helping to implement the ecological objectives of the management plan, budgeting/financial management, H&S.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Relevant ecological knowledge relating to grazing as a management tool.
• High level of knowledge in cattle and pony husbandry particularly recognising and acting upon animal health and welfare issues requirements.
• Relevant knowledge of risk management and compliance requirements relating to agricultural and environmental legislation with particular reference to grazing, livestock and land operations.
• High level of knowledge for the correct operational use, repair and maintenance of farm machinery and its associated powered or trailed equipment and attachments.
• Knowledge and understanding of the health, safety and welfare applying to reserves operations and management (e.g. risk assessments) 
• Proficient and competent in a range of land management tasks related to the grazing operations e.g. building and maintaining fences, gates, in field water management structures, ditches and livestock holding pens.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Individual and team management skills.
• Record keeping/data management.
• Personal organisational including time management and prioritisation.
• Estate management, building maintenance.
• Working with visitors, volunteers and the media.

Additional information:

• This role is based in a remote and rural location and the successful candidate will be expected to live on-site (Swindale Valley) in the accommodation provided (living off-site would be considered if local).
• This role will involve some lone working. 
• This role will require regular weekend and evening working.
• This role is physically demanding and will involve working with and handling livestock.
• A full driving licence is required for this role.

This is a Permanent role for 37.5 hours per week. 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on 14th Aug. For further information please contact [email protected]

As part of this application process you will be asked to 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.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. 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.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes.