Wildlife Trainee (Chimney Meadows and West Oxon)

Based at: Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve, Bampton, Oxon, OX18 2EH

Chimney Meadows is a 310-ha site made up of a mosaic of riverside meadows and pastures and interlaced by a network of thick hedgerows and Willow-lined ditches. A haven for birds, especially waders during winter floods and mammals including water voles and otters. It is home to the Trusts herd of breeding Dexter cows and flock of breeding sheep which produce the grazing animals needed to carry out the Trusts conservation grazing across the three counties.

This role also will involve working on several other sites across West Oxfordshire including the Cothill fens, Letcombe Valley, and Foxholes.

For more information see www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/

Purpose of the role:

·       To assist the Estate Manager and Reserves Officer with the management of the reserves and the Conservation Grazing livestock.

Type of work you will be involved in:

·       Reserves livestock: Will include regular stock checks, moving stock around site, assisting with the management of breeding stock.

·       Reserves estate work: will include habitat management including vegetation management, maintenance of site infrastructure and boundary fences, and leading regular volunteer groups.

·       Visitor engagement: assisting with guided walks and events

Experience &/or qualifications needed:

·       Desire to work in UK wildlife conservation

·       A good level of physical fitness & strength

·       Willingness to use power tools (training will be provided)

·       Willingness to supervise and lead others

·       Willingness to work with livestock

·       Ability to work with a range of people from all ages & backgrounds

·       Willingness to develop skills and standards of workmanship required in wildlife management

·       Full manual UK driving licence and willingness to drive work vehicles

Times/days we would like you to be available:

 A commitment to work three days a week for 6 to 12 months is required. Actual days are negotiable but preferably Tuesday to Thursday.

Benefits to volunteer & possible training opportunities:

A substantial amount of training and experience is provided.  Trust staff will teach practical nature reserve management skills and provide the theory and rationale behind the work you do.  A programme of in-house training is provided including:

·       Welcome to BBOWT (Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust) day, which includes marketplaces with our Directors

·       Leadership training

·       Tool Maintenance

·       Livestock Handling

·       Fencing

·       Brushcutter Training

·       Driver Awareness

The in-house training runs to a set schedule and training received will be determined on the start date and the duration of the placement.

In addition, a training budget is available which includes externally certified training in First Aid at Work plus Forestry and NPTC Level 2 Award in Chainsaw: Cross-cutting, Maintenance & Felling Trees up to 380mm. Chainsaw training will only be provided if the trainee signs up to a 12-month placement.

You will be responsible to:

Reserves Officer and Chimney Meadows Estate Manager

Expenses payable:

Volunteers who use their own vehicles when travelling on behalf of the Trust will receive reimbursement in accordance with the mileage rates outlined below:

Motorised vehicles: 45p/mile

Bicycles: 45p/mile.

The above rates are intended to cover all running costs associated with the use of personal cars on behalf of the Trust and no other expenses, e.g. car wash, fuel and oil, etc. will be reimbursed by BBOWT in this regard.

Travel expenses may also be claimed by Volunteer Trainees in travelling to their placement in accordance with this policy but are capped at £225 per month.