Ranger

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: a suburb of the city of
Southend-on-Sea.

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’ on our
website.

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.
Interviews to be arranged shortly after closing.