Assistant Grazing Ranger

THE CONSERVATORS OF ASHDOWN FOREST
ASSISTANT GRAZING RANGER
Hours per week: 37 flexible working.  
Salary: NJC Scale 4 SCPs 7-11 – £24,294 to £25,979
subject to experience

Would you like to take on an exciting new role working on one of the most important
wildlife sites in southern England? The Board of the Conservators of Ashdown
Forest have an exciting opportunity to appoint an Assistant Grazing Ranger to support the
grazing management on Ashdown Forest, East Sussex.

The Board has a strategic vision to protect, conserve, and enhance the nature and culture of
Ashdown Forest as the largest biodiverse heathland and open space in Sussex for the enjoyment,
education, health, and recreation of all. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated
person interested in conservation grazing and heathland management to deliver the agreed
grazing programme of works across Ashdown Forest. This will involve undertaking all livestock
husbandry tasks to comply with the appropriate animal welfare regulations and include all
practical aspects of keeping livestock, including stock checking, fencing, livestock handling
and transportation.

Working under the supervision of the Countryside Manager you will support the Specialist
Grazing Rangers with an overarching goal of achieving favourable condition of the SSSI. The
role will have oversight and supervision of volunteers and assisting with the delivery of
habitat and species monitoring associated with grazing.

About the Forest: Originally a deer hunting forest, Ashdown Forest is now one
of the largest free public access spaces in the Southeast and an internationally important
heathland. The responsibility for managing Ashdown Forest on behalf of the Owner, who since
1988 has been the Ashdown Forest Trust, lies with an independent body, The Board of
Conservators of Ashdown Forest. The Board, created in 1885, has been regulated under a series
of Acts of Parliament, the most recent being the Ashdown Forest Act 1974

About the role: The Assistant Grazing Ranger will be a valued member of the
team assisting with the day-to-day activities for grazing our own herds of rare breed Riggit
Galloway Cattle, Exmoor Ponies and flock of Hebridean Sheep. This will be a public facing role
communicating via telephone and in person when required, so excellent communication skills are
essential. This role may require out of hours and weekend working, responding to emergency call
outs to deal with escaped livestock or animals requiring attention. This role will also involve
working with the wider Ranger team assisting with practical tasks to deliver the wider
management objectives.

For an application form and information pack (in word format) please see attached or email: [email protected] or call 01342 823583 (Monday to Friday 08.30 to 16.30).

Own car essential due to rural location.

Closing date for applications Sunday 12th May 2024.

The Conservators of Ashdown Forest, The Ashdown Forest Centre, Wych Cross, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JP