Ranger at Gunners Park

Closing date: Monday 20 March 2023

Salary: £25,879.21 per annum

Contract type: Permanent / Working hours: Full time

Location:
**Gunners Park and Shoebury Ranges Nature Reserve**,***:Shoebury Common Road (B1016), Shoeburyness, Essex
- We have an exciting opportunity for a passionate and suitably qualified Ranger to work at our Gunners Park & Shoebury Old Ranges Nature Reserve in Shoeburyness.Photo: Tom Marshall

The role of the Site Ranger at Gunners Park & Shoebury Old Ranges is to lead on the delivery of the site management plan and manage a mosaic of coastal habitats, including Old Shoeburyness Ranges, which forms SSSI Unit 1 of Foulness Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Due to its proximity to the Thames Estuary, this nature reserve provides ideal habitat for migrating birds on passage to and from the UK, including ring ouzel, spotted flycatcher, wheatear, whinchat and even yellow-browed warbler. Hundreds of waders will gather along Gog’s Berth, while a grey seal occasionally makes an appearance along the seawall.

Our Gunners Park & Shoebury Old Ranges nature reserve incorporates the Shoebury Old Ranges Site of Special Scientific interest (SSSI) and the Coastguard Station Grounds Local Wildlife Site. This area has more than 12 habitats to walk through, from coastal grassland and a large pond to remnant sand dunes and historic military buildings. The reserve habitats have allowed a range of species to thrive, including the nationally scarce sandwich click beetle, bulbous meadow grass and the cuckoo wasp. The historic buildings are also used by wildlife - in the summer months look out for barn swallows zipping in and out of the gaps to feed their young nesting inside.

The postholder will be expected to maintain effective positive communication and interaction with the Park’s user groups, the wider community, and other key stakeholders including regular liaison with Southend City Council Parks Officers and any SSSI matters with Natural England.

Working with and overseeing a team of passionate volunteers, you will expected to collaborate with the Senior Ranger and Nature Reserves Manager to develop and deliver an annual work programme of tasks to be undertaken in the Park, wildlife recording and monitoring throughout the year including botanical and bird surveys.

Gunners Park is an urban-fringe site and the Ranger will organise a series of outreach events including guided walks, talks and events to promote community involvement and care for the site, its wildlife and historical heritage.

This role is a permanent, full-time position with a starting salary of £25,879.21 per annum.

Essex Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading conservation charity, committed to protecting wildlife and inspiring a lifelong love of nature; and we would love you to join our committed and enthusiastic team. Our values are Impactful, Collaborative, United and Proactive.