Conservation Manager – Epping Forest

An exciting opportunity has arisen in our Conservation Team at Epping Forest. We are seeking to
appoint a Conservation Manager who will act as an exemplary custodian for this important site.
Passionate about conservation, natural environments, ecology, and sustainability, you will
enjoy project and contract management and delivering operational objectives. You will excel in
ecological monitoring and have a strong knowledge of conservation methods, ideally within a
wood pasture landscape. Above all you will understand and champion the benefits and challenges
of managing a busy public access site for conservation interest.

Epping Forest is amongst 11,000 acres of open spaces, parks, and gardens in and around London
owned and managed by the City of London Corporation. Each open space is a unique resource for
the use and enjoyment of the public and for the conservation of wildlife and the historic
landscape. 

Two thirds of the Forest is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and
Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and is home to over 55,000 ancient trees, grassland plains,
heathlands, ponds, lakes, two registered parks, scheduled monuments, and listed buildings.
Because of these habitats, the Forest supports a range of protected and notable species
including bats, birds, fungi, invertebrates, and amphibians. The unique ancient wood pasture
landscape is managed with the help of a herd of 200 Longhorn cattle.

The Role

Epping Forest is one of the most important wood pasture and ancient tree sites in the country.
Reporting to the Head of Conservation and managing the Conservation Team you will be at the
centre of the conservation efforts to protect this unique Forest. You will coordinate
programmes and projects for habitat management and restoration and wider ecosystem service
outcomes, prepare new projects for funding, research and promotion, developing and implementing
nature-based solutions, site-based and landscape-scale conservation measures with contractors
and local partners. You will be responsible for leading monitoring programmes associated with
Epping Forest’s priority habitats and species, and the impact of visitors and air pollution on
species vitality.

Working collaboratively with the wider department, leading sustainable and ecological change
helping the management team fulfil strategic and operational objectives and targets for a
biodiverse approach to managing the site.

The Ideal Candidate

You are educated to degree level or equivalent qualification in a relevant Conservation or
Environmental subject or possess demonstrable experience to similar level. You hold a full UK
(or acceptable equivalent) driving licence – travel throughout the Forest and Buffer Land is
frequent and essential.

You will have a good understanding of managing wood pasture and large assemblages of veteran
trees with a commitment to research, species recording, and protecting the heritage of the
Forest. You will have experience developing and delivering conservation projects from both a
technical and project/contract management perspective. You have strong leadership skills to
support the team and the ambitions of the wider department, delivering a high-quality service
to our customers. You are adept at using your initiative to solve problems and finding creative
solutions is an essential part of the role, as well as having the ability to support the staff
within your team to achieve these aims within a busy and demanding service.

Benefits Include

• Competitive salary starting at £45,390, depending on experience (clear incremental progress
  points).
• 28 days annual leave plus public holidays (or time in lieu where applicable).
• Pension scheme is operated in accordance with Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Employee assistance programmes including mental well-being support.
• Bicycle Loan scheme.
• Travel card scheme.
• Exclusive discounts, generous support for relevant training and up to two days paid
  volunteering leave.

Closing date: 12 noon on 9 September 2024

Interviews will be held in person at Epping Forest office (The Warren, Loughton, IG10 4RW) on
16th and 17th September 2024.

To apply online please click the apply button.

Alternatively, please contact 020 7332 3978 (24 hr answerphone) quoting reference number
OENV0340. A minicom service for the hearing impaired is available on 020 7332 3732.

The City of London Corporation want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in
the work that we do. The City of London Corporation is currently undergoing a programme to
ensure that our pay and reward practices are competitive and equitable. We are committed to
regularly benchmarking and reviewing pay across the whole organisation and against external
sectors.

The City of London Corporation is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications
from all sections of the community.

Because our roles are so varied, we don’t have a ‘one size fits all’ policy for workplace
attendance. How many days a week you’ll be required to attend your workplace will depend on the
requirements of your role. It’s important that you understand the requirements before applying
to ensure you are able to meet them. We are committed to considering requests to work flexibly
and job share. Requests will be considered by the recruiting manager in line with our policies
and business needs.

We will be reviewing this policy and approach at regular intervals to ensure we’re meeting our
attendance needs.