VACANCIES AND TENDERS

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE JOB

Coetir Anian (Cambrian Wildwood) is a small charity based in mid Wales. We manage Bwlch Corog, a 142ha upland site near Machynlleth, leased from the Woodland Trust, where we have been restoring native woodlands and upland peat habitats on site since 2017. In addition to land management, we run volunteering, education and wellbeing programmes that connect people with nature.  We also work with neighbouring landowners to enhance biodiversity and ecological connectivity across the wider landscape. For more information see www.cambrianwildwood.org.

Coetir Anian is seeking a skilled and motivated Habitats and Species Manager to lead our land management strategy and coordinate ecological restoration across our site. Additionally, this role will help shape and deliver our innovative landscape-scale nature recovery project in partnership with neighbouring landowners, to support conservation grazing, woodland creation, peatland restoration and wider nature recovery in and around nearby protected areas.

Tasks will include managing staff, contractors and volunteers; monitoring and surveying habitats and wildlife; developing action plans for habitat management and restoration (managing Molinia and bracken; annual tree planting plan; developing further peatland restoration plans, and a plan for water vole protection); planning and delivering species restoration programmes; recording and mapping our habitats work on QGIS,  providing ecological expertise to projects developed with our recently formed group of neighbouring landowners; running volunteer work days, and working with our education manager to ensure tasks undertaken by our youth groups are aligned with our land management strategy.  The work will be mainly funded by a grant from the Nature Networks Fund over the next two years.

A sound knowledge of upland and woodland ecology in the context of mid Wales, experience of managing land for nature conservation, and a passion for wildlife and nature restoration are essential, along with excellent people skills. A background in ecology, forestry or land management is desirable. You will need to be an effective project manager, able to lead and coordinate a wide range of activities that support nature recovery. As a strategic thinker, you will contribute to project development within a small, collaborative team. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential for working with colleagues, managing a project officer, contractors and volunteers, and engaging with visitors and youth groups.

You can expect to spend around one third of your time outdoors at Bwlch Corog in all weathers, often working independently and in remote areas.

POSITION IN ORGANISATION

Reports To:
Project Director and Land Management Steering Group

Responsible For:
Project Officer, Ceidwad y Mynydd (mountain keeper/ranger), Contractors, Volunteers

Budget Responsibilities:
Habitats and Species programmes expense budgets

Location:
You will need to be based in mid Wales for frequent travel to our site near Glaspwll, Machynlleth.  Office base in Aberystwyth, with option for hybrid working from home

Contract:
Permanent

Hours:
Part time, 3 days (22.5 hours) per week, subject to 6-month probation period.  There may be an option for increased hours in the future, dependent on project funding.  Flexible working by agreement. We welcome applications from everyone and aim to create inclusive teams

Salary:
FTE of £28 241 – £36 671 (for a 3-day per week contract this will be £16 945 – £22 002)

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Site management

Working with the Project Director and Land Management Steering Group, lead the development and delivery of innovative work to restore natural processes and ensure nature recovery, producing and revising a long-term adaptive site management plan, programmes of work, and budgets.

Ensure the programme of work is implemented and the site maintained to satisfactory standards, by self, other staff, volunteers and contractors.

Ensure all practical site management work is carried out in a responsible manner, according to best practice and legislation on health and safety, risk assessment, safe working and minimal environmental impact.

Ensure implementation and further development of our grazing plan for the ponies and cattle on site.  Working with our grazier and with other staff and contractors, ensure the grazing animals on site are monitored and have good level of animal welfare.

Manage or arrange for others to manage contractors undertaking capital works, fencing, grazing, mowing, chainsaw work or similar.

Habitat and species monitoring and conservation

Implement and develop our monitoring and surveying framework for habitats and species on site. Carry out or arrange for others to carry out surveys on habitats, birds, insects, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.

Monitor changes in vegetation and assess the impact of grazing, mowing, and other factors.

Monitor vegetation changes as a result of interventions to restore peatland.

Monitor changes to tree cover from both tree planting and natural regeneration.

Use QGIS mapping to collate information collected.

Review and develop the list of key species to be encouraged at Bwlch Corog through habitat restoration measures, and with the support of external advisors produce plans to support key species including habitat management, restoration of natural processes, and species reintroductions (current focus is on reintroduction and translocation of bog plants and Sphagnum moss, and tree planting – other species reintroduction plans could follow).

Work with neighbouring landowners and other relevant organisations towards a joint plan for conserving priority species across land holdings, including potential for species reintroductions.

Implement a plan involving local landowners and other stakeholders to conserve our recently discovered population of upland water vole.

Landscape scale

Working with the Project Director, maintain dialogue with neighbouring landowners and other partners to develop and run a landscape-scale initiative supporting nature recovery, ecological connectivity, and sustainable farming.

Provide ecological and land management expertise and capacity to projects developed with our recently formed group of neighbouring landowners.

With partners, identify outcomes for joint working and an action plan for delivery.  With work identified for Coetir Anian, arrange for work to be completed by self, other staff, volunteers or contractors.

Volunteers

Responsible for drawing up a programme of practical volunteering activities on site which contribute to priority land management and nature recovery tasks.

Communicate with partner organisations to host specific groups for volunteer days.

Organise and lead volunteer work days, including sessions for young people, on a rota with other staff.

General responsibilities

Contribute to funding bids and development of new projects.

Contribute to project management tasks including keeping track of project timelines, reporting to funders, budget management and tracking, and evaluation.

Provide written contributions to promote the project, for example on the website, press releases and articles.

Support the project by attending events and hosting visitors to the site.

Have a commitment to equal opportunities.

Be prepared to work on weekend days as required by the activities (including being part of a rota for regular monthly Saturday volunteer days).

Be responsible for own administrative work, record keeping, and mapping.

Commit to continuous professional development through participation in training.

Other tasks as required by the organisation.

Note: You will be required to make your way to our site using your own transport – we are several miles up a farm track, with no public transport options. At times you will be required to pick up volunteers and to transport tools, water and refreshments to site.   It will be simplest if have access to your own car for work purposes, although we welcome all proposals from our staff to reach our site regularly by other means, and we currently have access to a community carshare.  A full driver’s license is an essential requirement.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

Background (degree or equivalent experience) in a relevant subject e.g. ecology, land management.

Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

First Aid at Work.

Equipment or tool use qualifications (e.g. chainsaw, brush cutter).

EXPERIENCE

Essential

Track record in ecological surveys and monitoring.

Experience of project and budget management.

Experience of managing others (staff, volunteers and/or contractors).

Desirable

Experience of managing grazing for conservation.

Experience of managing land for wildlife and nature.

Experience of leading volunteer groups in land-based activities.

Experience of working with a range of stakeholders – governmental and private sectors, and in particular farmers.

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

A good knowledge of woodland and upland peatland ecology and wildlife in a Welsh/British context.

Good understanding of Health and Safety considerations on publicly accessible sites.

Desirable

Familiarity with the landscape and culture of Mid Wales.

Knowledge of peatland restoration principles and peatland habitats.

Understanding of woodland management.

Understanding of landscape-scale conservation initiatives.

Good knowledge of current and future governmental land management support schemes.

SKILLS

Essential

Competent in using GIS mapping applications.

Good written and verbal communication skills.

Competent with standard office computer applications e.g. Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint.

Organisational and motivational skills to manage own work without supervision; including excellent time management and prioritisation skills. Able to meet deadlines and solve problems.

Desirable

Welsh language: fluency in spoken Welsh will be an advantage.

Good skills in QGIS.

Practical skills including trailer driving, tickets for use of equipment and machinery (e.g. chainsaw, brush cutter) and ability to undertake maintenance tasks will be useful but not essential.

To apply, please send a completed Application Form, your CV and a cover letter to post@coetiranian.org or for any queries contact Katy Harris katy.harris@coetiranian.org.  Deadline for applications:  Thurs 3rd July.