Foxearth Meadows Reserve Manager
Reporting to: Conservation Director
Department: Conservation
Job Type: Permanent (subject to a 3-month probationary period)
Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Salary: £25,000 per annum plus 7% employer’s pension contribution.
Location: Reserve, home address and occasional visits to head office.
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Context
A Rocha UK is a unique Christian nature conservation charity with a mission to mobilise Christians and
churches to care for the environment. We run conservation activities on our own nature reserves Foxearth
Meadows near Sudbury and Wolf Fields in Southall. We advise a network of Christian land managers - called
Partners in Action across the UK and manage the Wild Christian programme for individuals and families. We
run the Eco Church and related eco denominational scheme. All to equip and inspire Christians to enjoy,
nurture and defend nature.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead all conservation activity at Foxearth Meadows. The goal of this role is
to ensure all activities at Foxearth Meadows are supported. This will include reserve management
(wetland, woodland and meadows), volunteer management, eco-education for local schools and visiting
groups alongside events development for the wider community and A Rocha UK. Helping with funding bids
will also be a factor.
Key responsibilities
This role consists of the following primary leadership functions:
● To develop and maintain a site management plan and on site recording of species and habitats.
● To manage habitats and species on site to an agreed plan.
● To work towards the creation of a site that maximises the number of breeding Odonata, without
adversely impacting the population of other taxa. To ensure adequate monitoring in respect of key
taxa.
● To develop and oversee regular volunteer led work parties.
● To source and purchase (with prior agreement) suitable equipment and storage for the site.
● To ensure best practice is consistently maintained, including the recording of Risk Assessments, the
keeping of accident logs, the maintenance of pathways and other access points to minimise hazards
and to ensure site users abide by the provided guidelines of access.
● To develop and manage a suitable suite of events and on-site activities.
● To manage new and existing partnerships with conservation bodies and organisations for the site.
● To manage the Community Engagement Officer (volunteer) post.
● To report back on species of interest, event activity, future plans within agreed deadlines.
● To manage (with support) external user groups.
● Managing the annual site budget as agreed with line manager
In addition the role supports the following functions:
● Support the fund-raising manager with the development of suitable funding bids.
● Support the development of a “Friends of Foxearth group”.
● Support the steering group with public speaking engagements as and when appropriate in local
schools and churches.
● Support the designated trustee/steering group with pre-arranged school visits to the site.
● Support the engagement team in production of relevant literature and publicity for the site.
Person specification
Essential qualifications and experience:
● Educated to a degree level or equivalent experience in a related subject (ecology, geography,
sustainable farming etc)
● A practising Christian: A Rocha is a non-denominational Christian charity with a deep commitment to
our faith, community and cross-cultural collaboration. This requires all staff to participate fully in the
spiritual life of the organisation, including regular collective prayer and reflection, annual staff
residential retreat etc.
● Clean driving licence
● Clear safeguarding record for working with young people and vulnerable adults
● UK resident
Key competencies & skills
Essential:
● Excellent organisational and multitasking skills, able to meet deadlines and prioritise the workload
● Strong on getting the detail right and aware of the big picture
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills
● Strong people focus and motivation to deliver an excellent service
● IT proficiency in standard office packages (Word, Excel)
● Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team
● A fast learner
● Be physically fit and healthy (as the role requires basic reserve management skills such as walking,
lifting and cutting)
● Good identification skills in one or more core taxa (for example plants, birds, odonata)
● Experience in one or other of the following, or demonstrable ability to learn fast:
o managing people, especially volunteers
o report writing in a formal style
o volunteering in nature conservation
Desirable:
● Postgraduate diploma or post graduate degree in related subject
● Some previous experience of survey work
● Some public speaking experience
● Basic grasp on the theology behind caring for nature
● Experience working with young people in an outdoor environment
● Strong interest in the environment
Application details:
To apply for the Foxearth Meadows Reserve Manager post, send a CV of no more than two pages, including
the names/contact details of two referees, along with a cover letter explaining why you want the job and
how you meet the job specification, to Hannah Pearson, PA to the Head of Conservation at
ukjobs@arocha.org. Please note that referees will not be contacted unless a job offer is made.
The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 20th October 2023
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 31st October 2023
