Wildlife Ranger

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

- 242382**Salary**:

- £29,832 - £31,077**Job grade**:

- Administrative Officer- Pay band 6a Ops, 44 hours per week**Contract type**:

- Permanent**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
- Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Horndean PO8 0QEAbout 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 AONBs 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 woodlands of West Sussex, Surrey, North East Hampshire and Dorset.

**Job description**:
Purpose of the Job

The Wildlife Ranger will work in partnership with the Wildlife Manager to effectively deliver Forestry England’s Wildlife Management statutory and business objectives in the District. They will offer technical support and guidance to staff involved with the Wildlife Management Team and support habitat conservation and public affairs objectives.

Key Work Areas:

- Control deer and other mammals to protect forest regeneration and biodiversity in line with district plans
- Following health and safety procedures involved with firearms and the culling of wild deer
- To build and maintain relationships with FC and external contacts, where this benefits collaborative wildlife management and the functioning of the district.
- To undertake regular liaison with forest district staff and assist with beat planning, monitoring and delivery.
- Support district colleagues to engage woodland users and promote positive behaviour for the protection of forest habitat and infrastructure.

At interview we will assess you against the following behaviours:
Delivering at Pace
- Always work with focus and pace to get the job done on time and to a high standard.
- Use own knowledge and expertise to organise work.
- Keep focused on delivery and take responsibility for the quality of work produced.
- Keep a consistent level of personal performance.
- Keep managers and stakeholders updated on how work is progressing.

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.

Making Effective Decisions
- Use guidance, analyse relevant information and ask colleagues for input to support decision making.
- Identify and deal with any errors or gaps in information before making a decision.
- Consider the diverse needs of those affected by decisions and how it will impact them.
- Provide advice and feedback to support others in making accurate decisions.
- Ask others to clarify decisions when confused and query any issues that arise constructively.

Seeing the Bigger Picture
- Understand what your responsibilities are and how these contribute to the priorities of your team.
- Consider the varied impact your work could have on individuals with different needs and from other backgrounds.
- Gather information from both inside and outside of the organisation to inform your area of work.

**Person specification**:
**Essential**

DMQ Deer Stalkers Certificates Levels 1 and 2.

A current Police firearms certificate.

Experience of using effective communication skills to convey messages to a variety of audiences.

**Desirable**

A good understanding of woodland management and woodland ecology.

A qualification in wildlife or conservation land management such as a BTEC National Diploma, or significant experience in a wildlife or conservation land management role.

European Protected Species Handling Licence.

**Behaviours**:
We'll assess you against these beha