Ranger at Gunners Park & Shoebury Old Ranges

We have an exciting opportunity for a passionate and suitably qualified Ranger to work at our Gunners Park & Shoebury Old Ranges Nature Reserve in Shoeburyness.

The role of the Site Ranger at Gunners Park & Shoebury Old Ranges is to lead on the delivery of the site management plan and manage a mosaic of coastal habitats, including Old Shoeburyness Ranges, which forms SSSI Unit 1 of Foulness Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Due to its proximity to the Thames Estuary, this nature reserve provides ideal habitat for migrating birds on passage to and from the UK, including ring ouzel, spotted flycatcher, wheatear, whinchat and even yellow-browed warbler. Hundreds of waders will gather along Gog’s Berth, while a grey seal occasionally makes an appearance along the seawall.

Our Gunners Park & Shoebury Old Ranges nature reserve incorporates the Shoebury Old Ranges Site of Special Scientific interest (SSSI) and the Coastguard Station Grounds Local Wildlife Site. This area has more than 12 habitats to walk through, from coastal grassland and a large pond to remnant sand dunes and historic military buildings. The reserve habitats have allowed a range of species to thrive, including the nationally scarce sandwich click beetle, bulbous meadow grass and the cuckoo wasp. The historic buildings are also used by wildlife – in the summer months look out for barn swallows zipping in and out of the gaps to feed their young nesting inside.

The postholder will be expected to maintain effective positive communication and interaction with the Park’s user groups, the wider community, and other key stakeholders including regular liaison with Southend City Council Parks Officers and any SSSI matters with Natural England.

Working with and overseeing a team of passionate volunteers, you will expected to collaborate with the Senior Ranger and Nature Reserves Manager to develop and deliver an annual work programme of tasks to be undertaken in the Park, wildlife recording and monitoring throughout the year including botanical and bird surveys.

Gunners Park is an urban-fringe site and the Ranger will organise a series of outreach events including guided walks, talks and events to promote community involvement and care for the site, its wildlife and historical heritage.

The ideal candidate will have a knowledge and experience of managing grassland and scrub habitat management, hold a qualification in Conservation, Biology or a similar related discipline with a real passion and aptitude for collaboration and engagement, taking ownership of the site to deliver positive habitat management to enhance conditions for wildlife. We are looking for a self-motivated person who enjoys engaging with the public deliver optimum management of the reserve for its wildlife value and visitor experience For more information about the role, a full job description can be found in the ‘Role Information Pack’ below.

This role is a permanent, full-time position with a starting salary of £25,879.21 per annum.

Essex Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading conservation charity, committed to protecting wildlife and inspiring a lifelong love of nature; and we would love you to join our committed and enthusiastic team. Our values are Impactful, Collaborative, United and Proactive.

To apply, please complete an application form on our website by 9:00am on Monday 20th March 2023. Interview date to be advised.