JOB PURPOSE
The St Abb’s Head property is one of the most heavily designated natural and cultural heritage sites in the UK, including a National Nature Reserve, two Sites of Special Scientific Interest, two Special Areas of Conservation, a Special Protection Area, two Geological Conservation Review sites, and three Scheduled Monuments.
The property is internationally important for breeding seabirds and species rich grasslands and breeding grey seals as well as being home to a wide range of other wildlife. This along with the stunning coastal landscape means it is a regionally important tourist attraction which attracts over 50,000 visitors annually.
We are looking for someone with some experience of countryside management to join our close-knit team, assisting with practical countryside tasks, property management and visitor liaison. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to gain skills, knowledge, and experience to help you further you career as a countryside ranger.
You will work on your own and with other staff and volunteers, on a variety of practical conservation tasks to help us achieve the high presentation and habitat management standards expected of a National Nature Reserve.
You will contribute to the long-term sustainability of the St Abb’s ranger service through income generated at pay-for events, memberships and donations inspired by our work, growing our capacity through volunteers and cost-effective use of resources.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
Nature Conservation
Be an enthusiastic and effective part of the ranger service, contributing to the smooth operation and ecological enhancement of St Abb’s Head NNR.
Carry out regular site monitoring checks and record keeping, helping us to evaluate performance and plan our conservation activities, including habitat and species surveys, foot path condition checks, weather gauge observations and people counter figures.
Ecological monitoring to include Grey Seal pup counts, Badger surveys and set mapping and a range of other biological recording.
Get involved with practical conservation tasks, including habitat management (gorse removal), woodland management, path maintenance and fence repairs, litter clearance and property patrols.
Seek to minimize our environmental impact through sustainable working practices and sensitive use of power, equipment, transport, and other resources.
Visitor Engagement
Participate in a programme of patrols at busy times and locations, including weekends and evenings, to engage with tourists, outdoor activity enthusiasts and campers, championing a “leave no trace” culture and providing practical advice based on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Lead Seal events throughout November and December, showing visitors colonies through telescopes and binoculars, sharing stories of the Grey Seals ecology and life cycles.
Welcome customers out on the reserve in a friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable manner, answering queries and providing information about the property, facilities, and the local area.
Contribute to the development and delivery of products that bring alive our stories, including on-site displays, self-guided trails, signage, guided walks, talks or other hands-on activities.
Working together
Supervise volunteer roles to help grow our team’s capacity and assist with the leadership of group volunteering activities as required.
Build positive relationships with our neighbours and local community, including other land managers, schools, community groups and recreational users.
Support a strong health & safety culture, complying with the property’s ‘Safe System of Work’, risk management and emergency procedures, to safeguard yourself, colleagues, and the public.
Funding our future
Actively promote the value of Trust membership to existing and potential members.
Seek and support ways to generate sustainable sources of income, including encouraging donations, booking events, payment of parking charges, visits to other properties and awareness of our fundraising campaigns.
Not a budget holder but expected to liaise with the Line Manager prior to incurring any expenses and be mindful of cost-effective use of Trust funds and resources.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
Essential
Hold a qualification in a relevant discipline and / or at least a year’s ranger experience.
Experience of engaging the public in nature tourism or working in a busy countryside setting.
Strong knowledge of natural history and conservation, especially upland flora & fauna of Scotland.
Confident communication and influencing skills with colleagues, volunteers, and the public.
Comfortable with working near cliffs.
Experience of working in a team and working with volunteers.
Self-motivated with the ability to work alone or work with minimal supervision.
Flexible and adaptive to change and working in a variety of situations.
IT literate and competent user of Microsoft Office products.
Clean driving license.
Desirable
First aid certificate.
Brush cutter training.
Experience in practical conservation work.
Experience of using a 4WD vehicle.
Experience of developing and delivering events or learning activities.
Experience in leading groups of volunteers.
The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Required Qualifications, Skills, Experience & Knowledge reflect the requirements of the job at the time of issue. The Trust reserves the right to amend these with appropriate consultation and/or request the post-holder to undertake any activities that it believes to be reasonable within the broad scope of the job or his/her general abilities.
Applications
Interested applicants should forward a completed application form to Human Resources Department (Applications), The National Trust for Scotland, Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh EH11 4DF, by mail or by email via workforus@nts.org.uk, by first post (i.e. 10.00am) on 12th November 2021 Interviews are likely to be held over Microsoft teams.
