Report - Kent Wildlife Trust



Job Title:Bison Ranger x 2Function:To manage and monitor the wellbeing of the bisonas part of the Wilder Blean ProjectResponsible to:Head of Land Management (KWT) and Head of Living Collections (WWT)Kent Wildlife TrustKent Wildlife Trust (KWT) is a flexible employer that aims to be class-leading in the environment sector in the southeast. It is one of the largest of the 46 Wildlife Trusts, which together make up The Wildlife Trusts Partnership. We are supported by our 32,000 members, and have the simple ambition of enabling the recovery of Kent’s wildlife. To this end, we own or manage over 80 nature reserves covering over 9,000 acres; we campaign and lobby politicians, decision makers and landowners to ensure site protection and good habitat management; and we run a full programme of education work with schools, colleges and adult groups. The Trust also has three Visitor Centres. We also have two income generating subsidiaries (an ecological consultancy and a trading arm). Together with the charity these make up the KWT Group.The Trust operates from its headquarters at Tyland Barn, just north of Maidstone. It is composed of over 100 professional and support staff who work within teams including Estates, Conservation Delivery & Partnership, Conservation Policy & Evidence, People Engagement, Marketing and Fundraising, Finance and Support Services.Visit our websites to see the range of our services and activities; .uk .ukWildwood TrustWildwood Trust opened in 1999 as a centre of excellence for the conservation of British wildlife, and was established as a registered charity in 2002. Wildwood Trust currently runs two wildlife parks in Canterbury, Kent and Escot, Devon. Wildwood Trust has over 200 native animals, past and present and both parks are set in beautiful ancient woodland. As one of the leading British animal conservation charities in the UK, Wildwood Trust is dedicated to protecting, conserving and rewilding Britain’s wildlife. Wildwood Trust has led on or contributed to many ground-breaking conservation programmes which include, saving the water vole, using wild horses to help restore Kent’s most precious nature reserves and returning the hazel dormouse & red squirrel to areas where they have been made extinct.Job Purpose The Wilder Blean Project is an exciting new project which looks to manage large parts of the West Blean and Thornden Woods at a landscape scale using principles of wilding management. These two roles will form integral parts of the wider project team, with the specific purpose of looking after and managing a small herd of bison within approximately 200ha of Blean Woods. The bison must be kept in as wild a state as possible in order for them to display their natural behaviour and have the greatest positive impact on the site therefore careful and sympathetic management will be essential to the fulfilment of this role.Training will be provided as part of this role, which will involve spending several months with ARK Naturr Ontwikkeling at several of their sites in the Netherlands. This will provide the necessary specific skills and understanding to manage free ranging bison in the Wilder Blean Project which are currently unavailable in the UK.These two posts will be managed by both Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust, with direct line management split between the two organisations.Principal DutiesResponsible for compliance of the DWA license To comply with the ‘Wilder Blean Bison Operating Agreement’Daily inspections of the bison to carry out health checks, utilising minimal intervention techniques and established international best practice.To carry out daily inspections of the bison fencing and arrange for any remedial action to repair as necessaryTo identify any potential risks within the working environment, report or act upon them accordinglyReport periodically and as required to Wilder Blean operational group and steering groupTo be fully aware of the emergency response plan and follow if requiredTo lead on or participate in animal escape drills at least 4 times a year or as specified by the terms of the DWA licenseTo actively contribute to the development of bison handling techniques and understanding in a UK context.To deal with bison health emergencies, supported by Wildwood Trust Keeper team and vets as necessaryContribute to the production of Safe Systems of Work and Lone Working Protocols with associated risk assessmentsAs necessary, to support additional livestock checks of domestic livestock outside of the bison areasWith support from Wildwood Trust, to attach and monitor radio tags on bisonMonitoring and assessing interactions between grazing animals, supported by Wildwood Trust Keeper Team and Kent Wildlife Trust Livestock ManagerTo submit annual reports to the EEP and liaise directly on any births or future plans for bison movement To support Kent Wildlife Trust Conservation Evidence team to monitor behaviour and ecological impact of grazing/browsingMonitor visitor interactions with the bisonTo lead foot safaris for visitors To supervise access into the bison enclosure for any permitted persons requiring it. Share with all staff a common duty to recruit members and volunteers, raise funds and enhance the good reputation of Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust wherever the opportunity arises.Have due regard to health & safety issues, including ensuring that all works by volunteers conform to Health & Safety best practice (i.e. as a minimum are in accordance with the Health & Safety at work act 1974). Any other duties as reasonably required by the Chief Executive.Skills, Qualifications & ExperienceThe post holder will: Essential DesirableExcellent knowledge of practical management of cattle including handling, breeding, condition scoring and illness/injury careXExtensive experience and confident in livestock husbandryXExperience in dealing with members of the public in both a proactive and responsive situation, including the ability to positively communicate the role of grazing animals in a natural process driven ecosystem.XAn understanding of natural animal behaviours and an empathetic view of animal managementXAn understanding of current UK conservation issuesXAn understanding of the species and habitats of lowland EnglandXDemonstrable ability to work as part of a close teamXExperience of public speaking and work with the mediaXA current driving licenceXFirearms licence?XExpected level of competencies Band 1 Takes ownership and delivers consistent and reliable performance.Uses Kent Wildlife Trust procedures plus other information to evaluate options and determine an appropriate course of action within their team.Takes ownership and manages own time and resources to get things done to time and quality standards.Is tuned-in to the expectations of Kent Wildlife Trust’s ‘customers’; looks for ways to personally improve quality.Is approachable, supports others, and helps create a positive team atmosphere.Clarifies tasks and activities; enables and supports colleagues.Establishes effective working relationships with colleagues, members, external stakeholders, and other customers.Understands and can clearly articulate Kent Wildlife Trust’s vision and mission, and personally adds value where possible.Other ConsiderationsThe post is advertised as a full-time post but flexible, part-time arrangements will be considered providing that they apply throughout the year.The post is offered on a fixed term for 24 months with possibility of extension.Appointment will be subject to a six month probationary period.No person shall be treated less favourably than another on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, ethnic or national origin, religion, colour, age or disability.Appointment is conditional upon receipt of satisfactory referencesKent Wildlife Trust is an equal opportunities employer and applicants for staff vacancies shall be short-listed for interview and appointed purely on the grounds of their suitability for the post as laid out in the advertised job description.All staff share a common duty to recruit members and volunteers and enhance the good reputation of the Trust whenever the opportunity arisesKWT aims actively to enhance, wherever possible, the opportunities for people with disabilities to experience, understand and enjoy the natural environment. All staff share the responsibility in achieving this. Further information is available from the Head of People Engagement.Under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, all staff have a legal responsibility to:take all reasonable care of their health and safety while at work;ensure as far as reasonably practicable the safety of other persons, whether other employees or members of the public, who may beadversely affected by their own actionsco-operate with the Trust to enable it to discharge its obligations satisfactorily.Employment PackageThe Bison Ranger post is offered at up to ?27,000 per year dependant on skills and experience. This is a full time post. Normal working hours are a 37.5 hour week, which will involve some evening and weekend working. Some flexibility will be possible within the demands of the post. Overtime is not paid, but time may be taken off in lieu.Procedure for ApplicantsApplicationsApplicants should read the Guidance Notes carefully before completing the applicant information form supported by Cover Note and CV. If you would like to discuss the post?further,?please email Simon Bateman-Brown at simon.bateman-brown@.uk or Mark Habben at mark.habben@The closing date for applications is 5pm on 7th February 2021InterviewsInterviews will be held on 25th and 26th February 2021 and will include a formal interview and operational based questions in the field. ................
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