National Nature Reserve Warden – Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve (NNR) (Ref: 6010)

This position is based at Aston Rowant NNR within the Chilterns National Landscape.
The team
Do you have a passion for nature and the environment? Do you want to make a real difference and secure significant environmental gains in the present and the future? Do you enjoy working in a team? Can you see yourself advising communities and customers to maximise gains for the Natural Environment?
If this appeals to you, a career at Natural England offers rewarding opportunities to secure environmental improvements and play your part in creating a better future for people and nature.
The priority work Natural England is delivering includes:
+ Establishing a Nature Recovery Network to help wildlife thrive
+ Monitoring environmental changes to identify and help reduce the effects of climate change
+ Working with farmers and landowners to develop greener food production methods
+ Advising on plans for new developments to maximise gains for nature
+ Providing ways for people to better connect with nature, including green social prescribing
We are the Government’s advisor for the natural environment, playing a vital role in delivering the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, an ambitious vision which brings new opportunities to protect and enhance and to achieve real outcomes for the environment.
Find out more about the work of Natural England at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england, Natural England is adopting hybrid working – which means that our staff will work from a flexible range of locations, encompassing home, offices (ours and our partners) and relevant sites. All new staff will be formally linked to one of our 25 offices across England and the expectation is that all new staff will be able to access their local office to be part of the community of staff in their geographic area. Staff members are required to carry out all their duties working in this way and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time. Travel expenses will be paid if work related travel is required but does not apply to travel between home and your associated office.
View a map of our office locations here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-england-office-locations, This is an exciting opportunity to join Natural England’s National Nature Reserves (NNR) team in the Thames Solent team. NNRs play an increasingly important role as places where people can connect with nature and contribute to the recovery of nature in the surrounding landscape.
Aston Rowant NNR is situated within the Chiltern Hills National Landscape. At 160 hectares it is one of the largest remaining areas of chalk grassland in Oxfordshire, consisting of extensive habitats of beech woodland and lowland scrub/grassland mosaic is home to a range of scarce bird species and invertebrates. The reserve is very popular, attracting large numbers of visitors. Managing high levels of recreational pressure and the annual threat of wildfires, is therefore a key part of this role, as is the ability to work collaboratively with local communities, visitors, volunteers and partners.
Aston Rowant NNR sits within a wider landscape of the Chilterns Hills National Landscape and is a key site for the nature recovery network. Natural England’s nature recovery projects are focussing on promoting ever closer working with a diverse range of partners to achieve more for nature and for people., The successful candidates will contribute to the work of our team through covering tasks in the following areas:
+ Deliver day-to-day site conservation management including practical habitat management and species/habitat monitoring.
+ Livestock husbandry of Natural England’s own livestock.
+ Build and maintain working relations with a range of stakeholders engaged in the day-to-day management of the reserves, including landowners, neighbours, partner organisations and community groups.
+ Contribute to NNR management planning and maintain management records.
+ Promote volunteering opportunities and build volunteer capacity to support NNR priorities.
+ Monitor and manage visitor behaviour and patterns of use to support sustainable recreation.
+ Implement Health & Safety standards fully for yourself and others, including visitors, volunteers and contractors.
+ Procurement of goods and services including managing contracts.
+ Support the wider team ambitions for NNRs to be at the heart of the Nature Recovery Network in the surrounding landscape.
Additional information
A Driving Licence is essential for this role.
At Aston Rowant, some out of hours working is essential for weekend livestock husbandry, volunteer work party management and public engagement for which overtime payments or Time Off In Lieu is available. An allowance is also payable for any out-of-hours ‘on-call’ cover.
How to apply
This vacancy uses competency-based assessment. When completing the application form you should present relevant examples using the STAR format. STAR stands for:
+ Situation
+ Task
+ Action
+ Result
We'll assess you against these competencies during the selection process:
+ Technical Skills & Knowledge
+ Creating Resilient Landscapes & Seas
+ Putting People at the Heart of the Environment
+ Working Safely
A maximum of 250 words is allowed for your response to each competency. The Candidate Information Pack contains useful information to help you with the application – read it before you begin. Please note that STAR format is not required for the ‘Technical Skills and Knowledge’ competency.
We welcome and encourage applications from all communities. Natural England is accredited to the Disability Confident Scheme, which denotes organisations which have a positive attitude towards disabled people. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements for the role at the shortlisting stage are guaranteed an invitation to interview.
If you require a reasonable adjustment at interview, or there is anything else you would like the panel to take into consideration, you should notify us of this at application stage where possible, or well in advance of your interview.
Competencies
Competence 1 Professional competency
Detail
Technical Skills and Knowledge (STAR format not needed for this competency), • Understand and apply appropriate management techniques to maintain or enhance the condition of sites
• Recognise, identify and interpret environmental features on NNRs
• Carry out and contribute to relevant monitoring work
Competence 3 Professional competency
Detail
Putting People at the Heart of the Environment - Practitioner, • Nurture trusting partnerships and collaborate to achieve pragmatic outcomes that help deliver Natural England’s vision, mission and aims
• Understand the importance of people accessing and engaging with the natural environment, and how to balance their needs with nature conservation objectives
Competence 4 Professional competency
Detail
Working Safely - Practitioner, • Understand the duty of care owed to all visitors, contractors or others on our NNRs, and adhere to appropriate legislation and Natural England policies and procedures
• Apply the principles of risk management and adopt safe working practices for yourself and the people you work with in everything you do.

The job requires a combination of technical and practical land management knowledge and a developed understanding of the ecology and management of relevant habitats.
The successful candidate will be a self-motivated, flexible, organised individual with a genuine interest and experience in:
+ Partnership working
+ Practical conservation management
+ Providing a welcoming and rich visitor experience
+ Using evidence to inform nature conservation management
+ Maintaining the highest health and safety standards
+ Team working
+ Good governance, record management and information handling, • Qualification and/or relevant experience in countryside management, forestry, agriculture, landscape management or similar – Essential
• Understanding of conservation principles and practice for lowland semi-natural habitats, particularly chalk grassland, scrub, wetland, and woodland – Essential
• Understanding of livestock welfare codes and husbandry skills - Essential
• Experience of using land management machinery and equipment relevant to the role e.g. chainsaw, brush-cutter, knapsack sprayers, pedestrian mowers, off-road vehicles, trailers, – Desirable
• Ecological field skills including the ability to identify key species on the Reserve; surveying and monitoring – Desirable
Competence 2 Professional competency
Detail
Creating Resilient Landscapes and Seas - Practitioner, Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Wherever possible Natural England accommodates requests for both full-time and part-time hours and other flexible working patterns to help employees achieve a good work/life balance and maintain their health and wellbeing.
Natural England provides excellent opportunities for career progression, training and development tailored to your role. From induction to ongoing learning and development, everyone in Natural England is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. Everyone has 10 days to devote to personal learning and development, as well as an additional 3 days to volunteer.
You will have access to Civil Service Pension and benefits arrangements and generous leave allowances (33 day per year pro rata), as well as flexible working, to help you achieve a work-life balance that works for you and us.
You will have access to a range of benefits including discounts on shopping vouchers, cycle to work scheme, and childcare vouchers. You can also join the Civil Service Sport club which offer discounts on a range of sports and leisure opportunities as well as social events.
Natural England is a fantastic place to work, where difference is celebrated.
We’re committed to fairness and equality for all, so you feel valued for who you are and what you do. Our shared values help us work together to benefit the communities we serve. Our thriving employee-led diversity networks support our inclusive culture and contribute to our Diversity Action Plan., Alongside your salary of £26,400, Natural England contributes £7,648 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role
+ An environment with flexible working options
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%