Seasonal Coastal Ranger

We have an exciting opportunity for a Seasonal Coastal Ranger to deliver the Share Our
Shores project – a collaboration between Essex Wildlife Trust and the RSPB.

This is an exciting new, field-based role, within the Trust’s recently formed Marine &
Coastal Recovery Team, that will also work closely with the Nature Reserves & Natural
Capital rangers to lead beach-nesting birds monitoring, survey and engagement at Essex Wildlife
Trust’s Colne Point and Tollesbury Wick Nature Reserves, as well as active wardening of these
important sites. This is part of the well-established Share
Our Shores Project, a collaborative project with the RSPB.

The successful candidate will have a sound knowledge of coastal habitats and their birds, an
understanding of the conservation importance of reducing disturbance in this environment and,
ideally, some experience of bird population monitoring techniques. We are seeking somebody to
undertake physical conservation and site management tasks, with a pragmatic approach to solving
practical problems as they arise and an ability to work on their own for significant periods of
time.

Colne Point Nature
Reserve is an impressive expanse of saltmarsh, creek and shingle, running along the
coastline at the mouth of the Colne Estuary. The site is a rich saltmarsh habitat with rare
plant species such as Golden Samphire and Small cord-grass, while across the shingle and sand
ridge Yellow Horned Poppy, Sea Poppy, Bindweed and Spurge thrive. Tollesbury Wick Nature
Reserve has been worked on for decades by traditional methods to help wildlife and now
boasts a wonderful diversity of species. Clouded Yellow butterflies flutter above the grassland
in summer, noisy Brent Geese gather on the grassland in winter and the majestic Marsh Harrier
soars above, coming to roost at dusk.

Good verbal communication skills are essential to maintain productive working relationships
with external partners and volunteers, to engage positively with visitors and to promote broad
support for the Trust’s coastal conservation objectives amongst the general public in the area.
In addition, good written communications are part of the role, with experience in collecting
ecological data and presenting clear written reports.

The Marine & Coastal Recovery Team is delivering several ambitious and impactful projects
that include saltmarsh restoration, native oyster re-establishment, seagrass protection and
recovery and the Share Our Shores beach-nesting birds project. You will join the Team at an
exciting time as we develop and scale-up our efforts to achieve marine and coastal recovery and
to deliver the Trust’s core
objectives of 30% of land and sea connected and protected for nature by 2030 and 1 in 4
people in Essex taking action for wildlife by 2030.

This role is initially on a six-month fixed-term contract (June to December 2023) working 37.5
hours per week between Monday and Sunday. The salary will be £25,879.21 per annum (pro-rata).
As this is a seasonal position, we are looking for someone who is able to start as soon as
possible. The main work is based at Colne Point Nature Reserve, with regular travel to
Tollesbury Wick Nature Reserve. Later in the season, work may involve other coastal Trust
reserves of importance to breeding and passage shorebirds and waders.

Essex Wildlife Trust are 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
Inspire, Collaborative, United and Professional.

To make an application, please complete an application form via our website by 9:00am on
Tuesday 30 May 2023. The interviews are arranged for Monday 05 and Wednesday 07 June 2023.