Trainee Wildlife Ranger

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 251021**Salary**:

- £19,971**Job grade**:

- Administrative Assistant- Pay Band 7**Contract type**:

- Fixed Term**Length of employment**:

- 2 years, with the possibility of permanency.**Business area**:

- FC - Forestry England**Type of role**:

- Operational Delivery**Working pattern**:

- Flexible working, Full-time**Number of jobs available**:

- 1Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- The King's House, Lyndhurst, Hampshire SO43 7NH, with the role covering the New Forest area.About the job

**Job summary**:
South England Forest District manages some 46,000 hectares of the public forest estate across West Sussex, Surrey, Berkshire Hampshire, Isle of White, Dorset and South Wiltshire. The varied, mixed woodlands produce some 100,000 m3 of timber each year, of which 25,000 m3 is hardwood. The Land Management Team have responsibility for an extensive programme of habitat restoration, principally ancient woodland and lowland heath.

Much of the land is of high importance for nature conservation, supporting some 29,000 hectares of SSSI’s of which approximately 27,000 are also designated at a European level as Special Areas of Conservation. The majority of the land managed by the district is also within area designated for their landscape value, including 7,500 hectares with Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB's) and 31,500 hectares across two National Parks.

The area receives some 20 million day visits by the public each and includes two major Forest Centres at Moors Valley Country Park and Alice Holt Woodland Park.

This role focuses on the New Forest, although some experience will be gained across the whole of South District. The New Forest lies to the west of Southampton Water in south-west Hampshire and covers 37,677 hectares of heathland, ancient woodland, wetlands, grassy plains and plantation woodlands. The New Forest is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the Forestry England managed Crown lands comprises almost 50% of the New Forest National Park.

**Job description**:
You will train in professional deer and wildlife management activities, learning new skills and working within a team to support the District’s wider objectives. In doing so you will gain the knowledge and experience required to become a professional deer manager.

There is an option for a property in the New Forest to be available with this role (rent is payable).

**Key Work Areas**:
You will complete an established training programme to:

- Represent Forestry England professionally and positively, acquiring a working knowledge of all of the operations it undertakes
- Identify tree, and common plant and animal species.
- Undertake safe use and maintenance of firearms in accordance with current legislation, best practice, and Forestry England operational guidance, policy and procedures.
- Safely and humanely cull deer and present carcasses at the required high standard, using the Wildlife Management System to record all deer cull data.
- Recognise tree damage and produce survey reports.
- Advise and support Forest District staff in restock design, appropriate protection methods (including deer fencing) and tree species choice to aid reduction of deer damage.
- Inspect fences and prepare reports on their condition and possible repairs.
- Undertake a range of ecological surveys.
- Liaise with drag hunts, game shoots and deer control licences operating on Forestry England Land.

**Person specification**:
**_ Essential_**

An interest in wildlife and nature conservation.

Experience of working alone, outdoors in a range of weather conditions and during unsociable hours

**_Desirable_**

An understanding of woodland management and the ecology of woodlands and heath.

An understanding of, and experience in, deer management.

Experience of working in a woodland environment

Deer Stalking Certificate (DSC) 1

Holds or is working towards DSC2 or equivalent

Experience of firearms use, deer management and carcass preparation.

A qualification in wildlife or conservation land management

A valid police firearms or shotgun certificate

At interview we will assess you against the following behaviours;
Working Together
- Proactively contribute to the work of the whole team and remain open to taking on new and different roles.
- Get to know your colleagues and build supportive relationships.
- Listen to alternative perspectives and needs, responding sensitively and checking understanding where necessary.
- Ask for help when needed and support others when the opportunity arises.
- Be aware of the need to consider your own wellbeing and that of your colleagues.
- Understand that bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable.

Managing a Quality Service
- Plan, organise and manage your own time to deliver a high quality service which gives taxpayers a good return for their money