Dear Applicant

Senior Site Manager, Ouse Washes – Salary £28,000 - £31,000 per annum

Thank you for your enquiry regarding our advertised vacancy. An application form is enclosed, together with a job description, person specification and other background information about the RSPB. If you have seen this vacancy advertised on our website, please refer to ‘Working for the RSPB’ which contains information about our benefits, and terms and conditions. This document can be downloaded if required. If you require any further information about this post please contact me at david.hoccom@rspb.org.uk

Please can you complete the enclosed application form in blue or black ink, referring to the person specification when completing the form. Your completed application form should clearly describe how you meet each of the criteria that have been identified as being necessary for this post as this will form the basis of shortlisting candidates. If you enclose a CV, it may be referred to for supplementary information, however, please ensure that all the questions asked on the application form are fully answered.

We take all practicable steps to safeguard the safety and welfare of children or vulnerable adults while they are in contact with the RSPB and have a Child Safety and Welfare Policy that supports this. If the post you have applied for involves unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults further checks will be carried out. We will also confirm your eligibility to work in the UK prior to appointment. Completed forms should be returned to Kate Milne, RSPB, The Grange, 20 Market Street, Swavesey, Cambridge CB24 4QG. Please check the postage required on your application as incorrect postage may lead to your application being delayed and missing the closing date. If you require an acknowledgement of receipt of your application, please enclose a stamped, addressed envelope. Alternatively, you can email your application to kate.milne@rspb.org.uk

The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is Monday 2nd March 2015. Interviews will be held Wednesday 18th March 2015.

If you are an external candidate, may we take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in employment with the RSPB. As a charity, we try to keep our administrative costs to a minimum and therefore you will only be contacted if we wish to progress your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. However, if you are able to supply us with an e-mail address, we will endeavour to advise you if you have not been shortlisted.

We look forward to receiving your application in due course.

Yours faithfully

David HoccomArea Manager, Cambs & The Fens

Vacancy pack

This pack contains all the information you need to apply, including:

Useful InformationDetails on our Diversity Policy statement, how we use CVs, shortlisting and employment checks and UK Identification requirements

Applicant letterDetails on how to apply plus closing date and interview date(s)

Job descriptionA breakdown of the vacancy, including the purpose of the job, requirements, duties and responsibilities

Person specificationA list of criteria that potential candidates should aim to meet

Department information*Details of the department advertising the post

Application FormPDF version

Please print out, complete and return to the address on the Applicant letterWord version

Applicants are encouraged to complete electronically and return by e-mail

* This information will only be provided if it is relevant to this post

Applications from candidates requiring a certificate of sponsorship under the UK points-based immigration system will not be considered if there are suitable candidates who do not require sponsorship. This is because employers need to demonstrate that they are unable to recruit a resident worker, before they can recruit a non-resident worker*.

The resident worker rule does not prevent applicants requiring sponsorship from applying for our vacancies, but such applications should be made on the understanding that they can only be considered subject to the restrictions above.

For further information, please visit the Home Office UK Border Agency website.

*This rule does not apply to those applying for roles that require a bachelor, postgraduate degree or postgraduate certificate in education qualification. It is necessary for the qualification to be an essential requirement for the role and the applicant to prove that they possess such a qualification (or have completed a minimum of 12 months study in the UK towards a UK PhD), which is recognised in the UK.

Useful InformationThe RSPB is currently going through a job evaluation review.  We just wanted to let you know that all jobs are subject to this review, including our current job vacancies.  The results of the job evaluation review and the new payband structure will be implemented across the RSPB later in 2015 and you will be kept fully informed of the outcomes.

Diversity Policy StatementThe RSPB is part of a global network that incorporates a diversity of traditions and cultures, and which represents different inheritances, backgrounds, influences, perspectives and experiences. A better understanding of people’s differences will help us to appreciate and value everyone’s contribution, and recognise that we are all an integral and invaluable part of the Society.

Everyone has the right to be treated with consideration and respect. The Society is committed to achieving a truly inclusive environment for all, by developing better working relationships that release the full potential, creativity and productivity of each individual, and an atmosphere where everyone can learn, work and live free from prejudice, discrimination, harassment and violence.

The Society aims to ensure that all staff, volunteers, partners, clients, contractors, members and the general public are treated fairly. Unless it can be shown to be justified, this will be regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status, race (including colour, nationality, ethnicity, or national origin), disability, medical status, age, religion or belief, political opinion, social or economic status, or ex-offender status.

Use of Curriculum Vitae (CVs)Our policy is to recruit and employ our employees on the basis of their suitability for the work to be done. An application form allows us to compare individuals based on like for like information and as such we do not accept a CV unless accompanied by a fully completed application.

ShortlistingThe RSPB is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to ensuring all applications are treated fairly. Applications are sought only from those eligible to work in the UK in the first instance.

All applications are subject to our shortlisting process where we only assess information provided against the Person Specification. If you are shortlisted we will contact you and invite you to attend an interview. You will also be advised at this point if there will be any skills test, presentations etc.

As a charity, we lack the resources to advise all candidates if their application is unsuccessful. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, we will have decided not to take your application any further. However, if you are able to supply us with an e-mail address, we will endeavour to advise you if you have not been shortlisted. If this is the case, please do not be discouraged from re-applying as your skills and experience may be just what we need for our next vacancy. We also have a number of volunteering opportunities across the organisation.

Employment ChecksAll offers of employment are made subject to the following criteria:

Proof of eligibility to work in the UK, Proof of Residency, Satisfactory Employment Health Check, Two references satisfactory to the Society and where required a Satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau Check.

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Site Manager – Ouse Washes

Dept/Section/Region/Reserve: Eastern England

Location Of Job: Ouse Washes, Manea

Post holder reports to: Area Manager, Cambs & the Fens

Reporting To Post holder: Warden x2Livestock ManagerAdministratorContract staff as required

Overall Purpose Of The Job:To lead the RSPB’s reserve operations at the Ouse Washes to meet the RSPB’s conservation, business and visitor objectives. It has four key elements:

• Responsible for the efficient and effective management of the nature reserve and associated habitat restoration projects.

• Leading, inspiring and developing a high performing, multi-functional team of staff and volunteers.

• Representing the RSPB, advocating the Society’s conservation priorities, securing support and engaging with stakeholders, decision makers and public.

• Providing a management interface between local and Area/Regional operational teams.

Main Duties:1. To oversee and co-ordinate the production, delivery and monitoring/review of a management plan

and acquisition strategy within a master plan for the Great Ouse Wetland reserves.

2. To take responsibility for on-ground delivery of these plans, including all habitat and infrastructure design, and act as customer for all reserve-related project delivery. Translate into annual work programmes that reflect the RSPB’s national, regional and local priorities.

3. To take responsibility for restoring wet grassland habitat at Coveney by delivering project outcomes through an effective project team approach and excellent partnering relationships.

4. To lead, inspire and equip our team of staff and volunteers to deliver the RSPB’s ecological, business and visitor experience objectives, championing innovation, promoting quality and creating a culture of continuous improvement. To oversee recruitment, performance management, training & development of staff and volunteers.

5. To manage risks, including the RSPB’s assets, liabilities and reputation associated with reserve operations. To ensure the health and safety of staff, volunteers and the public at all times, in accordance with the RSPB’s health & safety policy.

6. To promote a landscape approach to conservation delivery in the vicinity of the reserve and across the Fens, by developing and maintaining positive working relationships with key organisations (e.g. Natural England, Environment Agency), local authorities, local communities, local decision-makers, neighbouring landowners and businesses.

7. To achieve close working relationships with area, regional and HQ colleagues to ensure the integration of work programmes across the Society and the allocation of resources (human and financial) to priority activities. With Area Management Team colleagues, achieve clear separation of responsibilities under an area work programme.

8. To develop and manage income and expenditure budgets for the reserve and habitat projects, covering reserve management, visitor infrastructure and farm business.

9. To conceive, implement and review discrete projects as required, ensuring fit with the RSPB’s project management framework and meeting external funder requirements.

10. To conceive, develop and/or contribute to external funding bids, enabling discrete project delivery and offsetting the long-term costs of reserves management.

11. To participate in the work of the Area Management team, including delivery of a shared communications plan designed to promote the RSPB’s Cambs & Fens work programme.

Other Duties:

The RSPB works for a healthy environment for all and we therefore expect you to take action in accordance with our Environmental Policy and objectives.  Together we can make a positive difference for our world.

You will be expected to apply ‘sound value for money’ principles in undertaking purchasing or supply of goods and services.

In the RSPB volunteers are a major resource and make a vital contribution to the RSPB’s aim to take action for the conservation of wild birds and the environment.  You will be expected to encourage, develop and support volunteer involvement in our work.

Senior Site Manager – Ouse Washes

Thank you for your interest in the Ouse Washes Senior Site Manager role. This additional information has been prepared to give potential candidates an insight into our work in the Great Ouse Wetland, as part of the RSPB’s Eastern England regional team, and what it is like living and working in Cambridgeshire.

The Great Ouse Wetland

From the heart of Cambridgeshire, along the river Great Ouse, and across the Fens into Norfolk lies a network of wetland sites that form one of the largest and most important wetlands in the UK. The Great Ouse Wetland extends over 3,000 hectares – nearly the same size as the city of Cambridge. It stretches for a distance of 40km way from Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB nature reserve to Denver Sluice.

The network includes the RSPB’s nature reserves at Fen Drayton Lakes (400 ha), Ouse Fen (c700ha) and the Ouse Washes, where the RSPB manages 1,334 ha of wet grassland (186 ha on behalf of the Wildlife Trust). The Washes are a flood management reservoir, operated by the Environment Agency.

Challenges and opportunities

Ouse Washes habitat replacement

The internationally important Ouse Washes has experienced an increased incidence of late spring floods, causing a steady decline in numbers of breeding waders such as lapwing, redshank, snipe and black-tailed godwit. Waterfowl numbers are affected by longer-staying, deeper floods in winter.

This presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Advocacy by the RSPB and its partners led to the UK Government adding the Washes to the ‘Montreaux Record’ of Ramsar sites undergoing ecological change – one of only two sites in this category in the UK. A review of potential solutions needed to maintain the designated wildlife interest alongside the flood storage function of the Washes concluded that re-engineering the Washes, while possible, would be very expensive (over £100m).

Government adopted an alternative strategy of creating new areas of wet grassland for the affected bird populations, adjacent to the Ouse Washes. The feasibility of this is demonstrated by the RSPB’s pilot project, which held over 100 pairs of breeding waders on 75 ha in 2014. The Environment Agency is leading the creation of 500 ha of replacement wet grassland, within areas of search at Coveney and Sutton. These new grasslands will allow Government to meet its obligations while continuing to optimise the use of the Ouse Washes for flood storage. The RSPB, working with the Wildlife Trust and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, will manage the first phase of replacement grassland at Coveney from late 2015.

Pilot Project habitat creation adjacent to Ouse Washes in winter flood

Restoration of sand and gravel extraction sites

The Great Ouse Wetland lies close to the Cambridge Growth Area and contains substantial reserves of sand and gravel, presenting exciting opportunities to create new wetlands through well-planned and restored mineral workings. Britain’s largest reedbed is taking shape at Ouse Fen (c.460ha, within a 700ha wetland complex) through a partnership agreement with Hanson Aggregates. The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Minerals & Waste Plan includes allocation for an extension to Ouse Fen and a restoration master plan at Block Fen/Langwood Fen (adjacent to the Ouse Washes) for a large multi-functional area, providing c.450ha of new wet grassland for breeding waders.

Reedbeds following minerals extraction at the RSPB-Hanson Wetland Project, Ouse Fen

Promotion and public access

As a result of the effective partnerships within the Great Ouse Wetland, there is an opportunity to coordinate signage, promotion and develop better public access links across the area.

The various sites within the Great Ouse Wetland offer a variety of experiences; WWT’s Welney Wetlands Centre has spectacular floodlit winter swan feeding, catering and all year events programme, whilst RSPB facilities offer a wilder experience for nature lovers. Fen Drayton Lakes is being developed as a family friendly nature reserve accessible by the Cambridge Guided Bus, with direct links into the city.

The Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership scheme is a 3-year project funded largely by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The scheme focuses on the promotion of the area surrounding the Ouse Washes, the heart of the Cambridgeshire and Norfolk Fens, and on encouraging community engagement with the area’s diverse heritage. The RSPB is delivering LPS projects at Fen Drayton Lakes and alongside the Ouse Washes, on farmland important for farmland birds such as corn bunting and yellow wagtail. This project brings wildlife-friendly farmers together to deliver an integrated community engagement programme designed to promote awareness of, learning about and on-going access to the area’s unique farm wildlife and archaeological heritage. For further info, see: http://ousewashes.org.uk/

The Job

The overall purpose of the Senior Site Manager role is to lead the RSPB’s reserve operations at the Ouse Washes, and associated habitat restoration projects, through leadership of our experienced team of staff and volunteers. We are working in partnership with other wildlife and environmental organisations and the post holder will maintain and develop these relationships. The conservation focus will be on wet grassland and associated breeding waders and wintering wildfowl through habitat creation and management. This entails working through the livestock and wardening teams, drawing on support from colleagues from across the RSPB’s area, regional operations and national specialist teams.

The Senior Site Manager will be expected to work with Area Management Team colleagues, including the SSM for Fen Drayton Lakes & Ouse Fen, to ensure that operations are integrated and adequately resourced across the Great Ouse Wetland. Close liaison will be required with the proposed Development Manager, responsible for creating a pipeline of conservation and people-focussed projects within the Great Ouse Wetland to meet the RSPB’s conservation, visitor and business objectives

The RSPB’s Eastern England Region is divided into five operational areas. The Cambridgeshire & Fens Area Team is responsible for the RSPB’s work within Cambridgeshire and the fenland areas of adjacent Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The Great Ouse Wetland is a critical part in our vision for landscape scale conservation in the Fens, alongside our nature reserves at Nene Washes and Lakenheath Fen.

There are currently c.25 members of staff in the area team, supported by many volunteers. We have offices at the Ouse and Nene Washes, Lakenheath and Swavesey (close to Fen Drayton and Ouse Fen).

Black-tailed godwits over the Ouse Washes

What sort of person are we looking for?

Firstly, we’re looking for someone who is committed to the RSPB’s conservation mission, who is ambitious for the RSPB’s work at the Ouse Washes and understands the site’s critical contribution to one of the most important wetland complexes in England. You will have drive and focus to achieve results, and the ability to inspire, enthuse and motivate others through communicating our vision.

Previous experience of managing a nature reserve isn’t essential as we have an experienced team in place, but we will expect you to have led operational teams and be able to facilitate and support high performance. You will have a good understanding of the value of nature reserves in delivering wider environmental, social and commercial objectives, and a grasp of the challenges and opportunities facing the successful candidate. You will be responsible for significant income and expenditure budgets and experience in financial management, combined with a solutions-focussed approach, is essential.

You will need excellent communications skills and a desire to work with others to form productive relationships with partner organisations, local community groups, decision makers and local businesses.

Living and working in Cambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire is a well-situated and fast developing area in which to live and work. Although mostly rural and open in aspect, the county’s many market towns are well connected to strategic road and rail routes and the cities of Cambridge and Peterborough are fast-growing cultural and commercial centres.

Although house prices close to Cambridge can be expensive, property is more affordable in the market towns. Ely is a growing and popular location but good rail links to Cambridge and London tend to keep prices on the high side. Towns including St Ives, St Neots, March and Chatteris offer cost effective alternatives. Alternatively, there are many small villages offering a quieter way of life.

Subject to criteria, the RSPB is able to offer a relocation package to the successful candidate to assist with meeting the costs of moving home.

Further information

If you require any further information about this post, please contact me at david.hoccom@rspb.org.uk

David HoccomArea Manager, Cambridgeshire & The Fens

Person Specification

Job Title: Senior Site Manager – Ouse Washes

Region /Dept: Eastern England

How criteria will be tested : A = Application Form, T = Test, I = Interview, P = Personality test, O = OtherEssential DesirableQualifications A T I P O Qualifications A T I P O1 Educated to A level standard A Degree in relevant subject – ecology, environmental

sciences, countryside management

Experience Experience2 Leading multi-functional teams B Delivering nature conservation outcomes

3 Leading land management operations C Managing projects/project team approach

4 Delivering outcomes through effective partnerships D Contributing to a general management group/function

5 Managing large income/expenditure budgets

6 Managing contracts and contractors

Skills/Abilities Skills/Abilities7 Translates strategy into on-the-ground delivery E Negotiating

8 Leads, inspires, supports staff and volunteers F Public speaking and media 9 Excellent communicator, influencing audiences at all levels G Practical estate and farm management

10 Highly organised and strong attention to detail

11 Computer literate, including word processing, spreadsheets

Knowledge Knowledge12 Land management securing multiple objectives H Birds and other wildlife 13 Environmental regulation, cross compliance, health &

safety as these apply to land management operations I RSPB’s approach to nature conservation

Behaviours/Circumstances Behaviours/Circumstances14 Enthusiasm for and commitment to the RSPB’s work

15 Innovative and solutions-focussed

16 Flexible and adaptable to changing situations

17 Ability to travel/work occasional unsocial hours & weekends

PLEASE REFER TO VACANCY DETAILS FOR RETURN ADDRESSJob Ref. No. A5080115

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Application Pack July 2012 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales No. 207076 Scotland No. SC037654

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The information on this form will be used for recruitment and selection purposes only and if your application is successful it will form part of your employment record. All unsuccessful applications will be destroyed twelve months after the closing date for positions advertised in Scotland, England and Wales and three years after the closing date for positions advertised in Northern Ireland.

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