Estate Worker

We are looking for an enthusiastic and practical person with land management and machinery
skills to play a key role in the wardening team at Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay Nature
Reserve near Silverdale, Lancashire.

This is an exciting and at times complex role, undertaking practical estate management and
maintenance on this iconic site. The successful candidate will be involved in the practical
aspects of managing a busy nature reserve including, among other things, visitor trails, hides
and other infrastructure; livestock fencing and handling facilities; building maintenance;
habitat management on a range of habitats from Reedbed to Limestone grassland. As the estate
worker, you will be responsible for the maintenance of all reserve machinery and vehicles as
well as having a good practical knowledge of workshops and DIY tasks.

An enthusiasm for and interest in the natural world is preferable and a joy of working outdoors
in all weathers is essential. Training will be provided in machinery necessary for the role.

Key areas of work will include:

• Maintenance of buildings and infrastructure to ensure they are operating as required.
• Maintenance of livestock infrastructure to ensure we meet all animal welfare and cross
  compliance legislation.
• Routine operation, record keeping, servicing and maintenance of machinery and vehicles to
  ensure they are operating safely and efficiently.
• Habitat management and grounds maintenance to ensure conservation and visitor experience
  targets are being met.
• Keeping up to date health and safety records to ensure compliance with health and safety
  regulations and to enable improvements to be set.
• Being responsible for completing all above tasks in compliance with Health & Safety
  policy to minimise risk to the RSPB.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Servicing and maintaining vehicles, machinery, tools and equipment to high standard.
• Machinery and equipment operations.
• Practical land management experience and delivering estate management works.
• Experience of maintaining buildings and infrastructure, such as hides or boardwalks.
• The ability to work unsupervised and within a team.
• Experience of working with volunteers or as a volunteer.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Vertebrate management – American mink and deer species.
• Knowledge/understanding of nature conservation.
• Lantra, NPTC or equivalent qualification in tractors, trailers, chainsaws, brushcutters,
  dumpers, 360 excavators, boats and vehicles.
• Management of work parties.

Additional information:

This is a 6 month fixed-term role for 37.5 hours per week.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 16th September
2024 at RSPB Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay Reserve visitor centre. 

This role will involve occasional lone working and working in remote locations. This role will
require occasional weekend, early morning and evening working.

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including
evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above. For further
information please contact [email protected]

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels
supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world
richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of
colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate,
sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled,
we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any
additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have
a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.