Information to Applicants

NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST Reserves Assistant – Woods & Heaths 1. About Us NWT’s vision is to seek a sustainable environment for people and wildlife where the future of wildlife is protected and enhanced through sympathetic management and people are connected with and inspired by Norfolk’s wildlife and wild spaces. Two of the key strategies in order for us to achieve our vision are to manage and enhance our nature reserves for wildlife and people and to help wildlife adapt to climate change by promoting a “Living Landscape” for Norfolk through the establishment of an ecological network, with targeted action plans. A visit to our website at www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk will provide more information on our impressive portfolio of nature reserves and the work of the Trust in general. 2. NWT’s Woods & Heaths Team and Nature Reserves. NWT’s Woods and Heaths Team manage 18 sites within the South, Central and North Norfolk Area. Most of the woodland nature reserves are ancient woodland, and include some of the best examples of bluebell woods in the county. The other sites include some of the best examples of heath, mire and fen, and are home to important species such as Norfolk flapwort, nightjar, woodlark, silver studded blue butterfly, and marsh gentian. Most are designated SSSIs; Foxley Wood is also an NNR. Buxton Heath and Holt Lowes are part of the North Norfolk Valley Fen SAC. Foxley, Thursford and Bretts Wood form a part of NWT’s North Norfolk Living Landscape initiative. There is a variety of woodland management techniques carried out by the team from traditional coppicing to more contemporary forestry practice. On the heaths and wetland sites, grazing is an important management process. A number of sites are grazed by a mix of hardy cattle breeds and hill ponies. Stock management is a significant part of the reserve management operation but many sites also require substantial mechanical intervention. 3. The Post of Reserves Assistant-- Woods & Heaths. The Reserves Assistant (Woods & Heaths) will be based in Mid Norfolk Foxley Wood work centre and will work as part of the NWT Woods & Heaths Reserves Management Team. They will work mainly at the following reserves and sites: Foxley Wood, Wayland Wood, Lower Wood Ashwellthorpe, Honeypot Wood, Thursford and Bretts Wood, Jubilee Wood, Hethel Old Thorn, Holt Lowes, Buxton Heath, Marsham Heath, Cawston Heath, Booton Common, Lolly Moor, Hoe Rough and Beetley Meadows, Sparham Pools, Scarning and Potters Fen, and Rush Meadows. The Reserves Assistant (Woods & Heaths) will report to the Lead Officer (Woods and Heaths). The Reserves Assistant will carry out practical habitat management and maintenance work on Woodland and Heathland sites, but also including fens and grasslands as part of the Woods & Heaths team, and also be a part of the work of the wider NWT Nature Reserves Team. 4. Post-holder Profile The post is demanding, but presents the opportunity to work on some of the county’s most important wildlife sites, and develop valuable skills in the management of nature reserves and their visitors. The successful candidate will have a good working knowledge of wildlife conservation. Good communication skills are essential, both with colleagues and members of the public, as is the ability to work as part of a team in managing these busy sites. The successful candidate will have an aptitude for practical tasks and will be willing and able to be trained in the use of tractors, brushcutter, chainsaw, pesticide application and in first aid. Experience of livestock management, is also desirable. The Reserves Assistant (Woods & Heaths) has the advantage of working at some of the county’s most important wildlife sites, and the opportunity to gain experience in the management of nature reserves and their visitors. It is suitable for anyone with the appropriate experience wishing to pursue a full-time career in nature conservation, and the management of protected sites. NWT aim to maintain and improve their staff skill-base by providing on-going and relevant training and updates. A detailed job description is attached for information and to assist you with your application. The salary is between £17,250 -£18,750 per annum, depending on experience and amount of training required. The hours of work will normally be 8:30am to 4:30pm with half an hour for lunch, but you will be expected to work occasional evenings and weekends for which reasonable time off in lieu will be granted. The post holder will be entitled to 25 days holiday per annum, inclusive of three days to be taken between Christmas and New Year, plus bank holidays. 5. Application Procedure Candidates should apply by sending a copy of their CV, detailing education, employment, relevant experience and two references. You should also send a statement outlining why you consider yourself suitable for the post and what particular skills and attributes you have which will enable you to fulfil the requirements of the job. A job description is enclosed to assist you with this. Please state where you first saw the post advertised. Completed applications should be marked Private and Confidential and e-mailed to [email protected]. The closing date for receipt of applications is midday on 5th January 2021. Interviews are likely to take place on 21st & 22nd January 2021. The successful candidate will be expected to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK at the time of accepting the offer of employment. We regret that we are unable to provide feedback from the application stage and if you have not heard from us by the end of January you should assume your application has not been successful on this occasion. Thank you for your interest in this post and the work of the Trust. We wish you every success with your application. Norfolk Wildlife Trust December 2020 .

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