Job Description

Title: Deer Ranger Reporting to: Forest Operations Manager Based: Blair Atholl

Job Duties:

Forest Deer Management  Assist the Forest Operations Manager in the production of annual deer census and cull targets for forestry blocks.  Assist the Forest Operations Manager in the production of deer management and cull results  Undertake culling in the Core woods.  Where appropriate work within the prescriptions of special deer cull authorisations to Scottish Natural Heritage and report culls to the Forest Operations Manager  Maintain deer larder records

Sporting Deer Management  Manage roe and fallow deer populations in Deuchary to provide a sport cull  Organisation and hosting of field sport for day guests as directed by the Rural Manager  Polite and competent treatment of all guests at all times  Management of all sport events to be in accordance with best practice as directed by Estate

Delivery of Deer Culls  Carry out deer cull in accordance with SNH Good Practice Guidance in a competent and professional manner compliant to all relevant codes of good practice  Comply with the requirements of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 as amended by the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011.  Retrieve all carcasses and prepare them for uplift by the game marketing dealer directly from the Estate larder. Carcasses to be prepared in accordance with guidelines as set out by the Estate or Dealer  Maintain larder in clean and hygienic condition at all times  Maintain firearms in good condition and secure at all times  Participation in Deer Management Group initiatives  Care and maintenance of Estate rifles ensuring a minimum of one service annually through recognised gunsmith.

Operation of Vehicles  Operation of vehicles including, tractors, ATVs and forestry implements within the capability of your training and experience  Vehicles to be checked at least once weekly for basic running condition and service records to be maintained  Vehicles to be kept in reasonably clean and hygienic condition  Servicing to be in accordance with Estate programme. Any fault or concern occurring between services to be reported directly to the Rural Manager

Estate Maintenance Duties  External property management duties within the capability of your training and experience  Fence repair and renewal

Management of Sawmill Buildings  Buildings, stores and sawmill yards to be checked for minor external repairs at least twice annually. If work required beyond competence then report in writing to Estate  Area around buildings and yards to be kept free of debris and redundant objects at all times. Weeds and vegetation to be kept under control at all times  Area within buildings to be kept tidy at all times

Management of forest roads  Care will be taken with the use of vehicles on forest roads to prevent excessive wear  Gates on forest roads to be kept free swinging at all times  Road drains and offlets will be kept clear of obstruction at all times but specific attention will be given to clear out all road drains and offlets at least once during the autumn, winter and spring.  Minor potholes repairs

Emergency Response  Emergency response including out of hours work to attend road clearance of trees and fire fighting duties to forest, agricultural and hill land

General Estate Duties  Undertake control of grey squirrels, this may involve some weekend working.  Compliance with Estate Health and Safety Policy and responsibility for applying Policy to all staff  Compliance with the letter and the spirit of the law in relation to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011  Tolerant and constructive approach to the public  Assistance with in-hand farming and forestry enterprises as directed by Rural Manager  Attendance at all Department meetings  Monthly reporting of time sheets, vehicle records and chemical usage  Control of pollution at all times  Disposal of all debris at Estate skip or public refuse facility  Any other Estate duty instructed by the Rural Manager or Forest Operations Manager from time to time for which you are adequately trained