Practical Conservation Worker

This role within the Grounds team of the University of St Andrews Estates department will
support the delivery of a conservation project aimed at changing grassland management,
increasing tree and hedge cover, restoring habitats and engaging people in practical
conservation tasks. The person will report to the Grounds Manager and work alongside the
University’s Environment team to ensure that areas of land under management for conservation
are enhanced for biodiversity. 

Activities are seasonal, and the post will focus on grass cutting for meadow creation and
management across numerous sites (University, Fife Council and local partners) during the
summer months, and tree and hedge planting mainly on University sites during the winter months.
There will also be some saltmarsh and dune restoration work, and assistance in creation of two
wetland sites. 

The post holder will have a good working knowledge of operational tasks required for grounds
maintenance typically gained through a period of practical training or elementary study (e.g.
Standard Grades (GCSEs), NVQ 2/3 or equivalent) and considerable experience in a similar post. 

They will be required to operate a ride-on mower and be able to move this between sites using a
vehicle and trailer. They will also support regular practical conservation sessions (during
term time c. one two-hour session per week) that look to provide students and local residents
with opportunities to volunteer in nature conservation initiatives. These would be basic jobs
like tree/hedge planting, tree care such as mulching and pruning, tree regeneration removal on
sand dunes, hay raking and seed sowing in meadows, and planting and maintenance of new wetland
habitat. 

The worker will liaise weekly with the Ecological Projects Manager in Estates to report on
tasks and coordinate sessions and work.

This post is fixed term until 31 March 2025. 

Employees of the University have access to a wide range of staff
benefits including:

• Annual leave of 30 days, plus 5 public holidays
• Membership of the S&LAS Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions
• A range of family friendly policies 
• Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services
• Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus
  travel
• Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff, access
  to training and development opportunities including LinkedIn Learning, access to library
  facilities, salary sacrifice scheme 
• A range of wellbeing initiatives including membership of Peppy, a health application that
  connects staff to expert practitioners and personalized support on health matters.

Further information and informal enquiries may be directed to the Ecological Projects Manager at [email protected] and/or Head of Grounds at [email protected].

Applications are particularly welcome from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME)
backgrounds, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented in professional
posts at the University.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the St Andrews experience and form a
central pillar of the University Strategy. We strive to create a fair and inclusive culture
demonstrated through our commitment to diversity awards (Athena Swan, Carer Positive, LGBT
Charter and Race Charters). We celebrate diversity by promoting profiles of BAME, LGBTIQ+ staff
and supporting networks including the Staff BAME Network; Staff with Disabilities Network;
Staff LGBTIQ+ Network; and the Staff Parents & Carers Network. Full details available
online: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Information on other visa options is available
at www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa or by
contacting our HR Immigration Team on [email protected].

Closing Date: 8 July 2024
Interview Date: 17 July 2024
Start: As soon as possible