Oxfordshire Reserves Officer

Salary: £26,800 - £27,733 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week. Flexibility in working pattern, in agreement with line manager

Based: The Lodge, Littlemore and Wells Farm, Little Milton. Hybrid working is available.

BBOWT has a vision for “more nature everywhere, for everyone”. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. This includes you being comfortable bringing your whole self to work, and us co-working with the diverse communities we serve to ensure we are meeting everyone’s needs.

The Oxfordshire Reserves Officer will help nature recover by directly working towards habitat management objectives across a suite of reserves covering wetland, floodplain meadows, limestone grasslands, woodland habitats of which many are designated SSSI’s.

This will provide an exciting opportunity to work within a close knit, friendly team committed to nature conservation.

What you’ll be doing;

• Responsible for undertaking practical habitat and infrastructure work on our nature reserves, utilising well supported key volunteers and volunteer teams. 
• Involved in the management of all aspects of Trust owned cattle, sheep and ponies.
• Overseeing the delivery of works undertaken by contractors and graziers to support the management of the nature reserves.

What we’re looking for;

• A commitment to wildlife conservation and a working knowledge of principles of habitat management for UK wildlife
• Self-motivation and problem-solving, with a strong work ethic and a willingness to work in all weathers
• A commitment to high standards of work, safety standards and attention to detail
• Willingness to undertake relevant tools, livestock handling, first aid and other training.
• Ability to engage people of all ages and backgrounds.

This post will be DBS checked at basic level. A criminal conviction will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position. BBOWT will not unfairly discriminate on the basis of criminal convictions. BBOWT’s policy regarding this matter and the Disclosure and Barring Service Code of Practice are available on request.

For all your hard work you can expect a great rewards package in return. In addition to being part of a friendly, skilled and knowledgeable team, passionate about making a difference, when you work for us you’ll also receive

• Generous annual leave entitlement with paid birthday leave, wellbeing days and generous occupational sick pay
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and family-friendly policies
• Flexible working to achieve work-life balance
• Pension (salary exchange) with generous employer contribution
• Learning & Development Programme for all (SEED)
• Wellbeing initiatives including qualified Mental Health First Aiders across BBOWT, access to our Employee Assistance Programme, providing you with immediate and confidential help for any work, health or life matters; 3x life assurance, online GP access and a YuLife benefit package with free will writing, a variety of discounts and ability to claim vouchers to use in a wide range of stores when you redeem YuPoints earned by being active or meditation sessions.
• Salary sacrifice Cycle scheme & Electric Vehicle scheme
• Membership to BBOWT’s, and The Wildlife Trusts’, Staff Network Groups for social interaction, peer support and personal development

How to Apply

For full details, please read the job description and T&Cs below. To apply, please follow the application link.

The closing time and date for applications is 11.59pm on Sunday, 5^th May 2024. Interviews will take place on 15th May 2024.

BBOWT values diversity and inclusion and the benefits this brings. We want every candidate to have the best chance of success as part of this process. In order to do this, we know that some candidates will need reasonable adjustments. Adjustments could include us providing the questions in an alternative format, providing extra time for assessments. We are also very happy to make adjustments for interview, which could include aspects such as lighting, physical access or simply making us aware when you arrive where it would be best for you to sit.

Contact us on recruitment@bbowt.org.uk if there are any reasonable adjustments we can provide during the selection stages, including completing your application.

We don't use an application form, or CVs - your answers to our situational based questions will be scored against a review guide and scores from these will decide which candidates go through to the interview stage.  See here to find out why we do this.

Whilst we appreciate ChatGPT and other AI platforms can answer these questions, we know what they have to say (and generally the answer they generate isn't great). We want to hear your perspective written in your own words. If it is clear that any of your answers are not your own work, we reserve the right to reject your application on that basis. 

We want our people to be as diverse as nature, so we particularly encourage applications from people who are underserved within the communities in which we operate. This includes people from visible ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities (including those who are neurodivergent), the LGBTQ+ community, those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and younger people. We are committed to creating an organisation that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities. 

You’ll also be asked for information about your background, anything you feel comfortable sharing will be anonymised and will not be shared as part of the selection process, it will only be used to help us understand how we are performing against our equal opportunities metrics. All candidates will receive feedback on their application.

To find out more about what we do please visit our website.

We want our people to be as diverse as nature, so we particularly encourage applications from people who are underserved within the communities in which we operate. This includes people from visible ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities (including those who are neurodivergent), the LGBTQ+ community, those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and younger people. We are committed to creating an organisation that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities. 

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, The Lodge, 1 Armstrong Road, Littlemore, Oxford Oxon OX4 4XT

Registered Charity No. 204330 www.bbowt.org.uk