Abernethy Warden / Deer Stalker
- Recruiter
- RSPB
- Location
- Aviemore
- Salary
- Competitive
- Posted
- 18 Jun 2021
- Closes
- 28 Jun 2021
- Sectors
- Manufacturing & Industrial
- Contract Type
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full Time
Abernethy Warden / Deer Stalker
Reference: MAY
Location: Abernethy
Salary: £25,280.00 - £28,045.00 Per Annum
Benefits: Pension, Annual Leave, Life Assurance
Would you like to directly contribute toward the protection and expansion of Abernethy Forest, the largest area of Caledonian Pinewood? Do you want to be part of achieving our vision to double the extent of the wooded landscape at this iconic nature reserve and be part of the UK's largest Conservation Partnership, Cairngorms Connect, as part of the Abernethy Operations Team?
We are looking for a hardworking, dedicated Warden whose main role will be deer stalking across forest, moor and mountain but who will also have a passion and knowledge for nature conservation and who will deliver a range of conservation management and monitoring projects.
About Abernethy Nature Reserve
Abernethy is a huge 15,000-hectare nature reserve in the Cairngorms with over 5000 hectares of expanding pine forest. Our 200-year vision is to expand the forest to its natural limit and this is progressing rapidly as pine naturally regenerates outside the forest and as we plant missing broadleaf trees into open ground. This provides new opportunities for a huge diversity of wildlife, including capercaillie, goshawk, pine marten, twinflower, and pine hoverfly. Outside the forest is an expanse of open ground that includes heather moorland, wet heath, peat bog and a remote and vast montane zone. A variety of projects across these areas are enhancing these habitats, for example by restoring degraded peatland and by planting montane willows into the montane scrub zone.
What is the role?
The forest expansion, peatland restoration and montane scrub restoration is only possible due to the management of the large population of red and roe deer. We have a stalking team including two existing wardens, two Cairngorms Connect stalkers and additional contract stalkers who together deliver the deer management plan through deer stalking. You will join this team and be given a stalking beat covering hundreds of hectares of forest and open ground as well as joining joint stalking operations on the wider reserve. Stalking will be undertaken at the most suitable times and this will include regular morning and evening work and include some authorised out of season and night stalking.
In addition to deer stalking, you will work with the Abernethy operations team to plan and deliver a range of habitat, estate and monitoring projects, this may include undertaking Herbivore Impact Assessment, carrying out species monitoring and managing contractors.
What we need from you?
A well-rounded individual with a keen interest and knowledge of nature and nature conservation
Extensive deer stalking experience
Has DSC 1 and has a firearms licence and will be able to get up and running quickly with deer stalking
DSC 2 is also extremely desirable, however, for the right candidate this training can be completed on the job. It is essential to the role that this qualification is achieved within the 6 month probation period
Is dedicated and hardworking who is happy and able to go stalking inside and outside of the normal working week in tough conditions, often on foot, across difficult terrain
Knowledge and experience of the full stalking operation from planning, stalking, carcass retrieval, larder work and record-keeping as well as the related work such as Herbivore Impact Assessment
Experience of practical work and delivery of conservation, land management or estate management projects will also form part of the role.
Accommodation may be available to rent on-site, please enquire if you are interested in more details.
Closing date: 23:59, 30 June 2021
If you would like to find out more please click the Apply button to be directed to our website where you can complete your application for this position.
No agencies please.
Reference: MAY
Location: Abernethy
Salary: £25,280.00 - £28,045.00 Per Annum
Benefits: Pension, Annual Leave, Life Assurance
Would you like to directly contribute toward the protection and expansion of Abernethy Forest, the largest area of Caledonian Pinewood? Do you want to be part of achieving our vision to double the extent of the wooded landscape at this iconic nature reserve and be part of the UK's largest Conservation Partnership, Cairngorms Connect, as part of the Abernethy Operations Team?
We are looking for a hardworking, dedicated Warden whose main role will be deer stalking across forest, moor and mountain but who will also have a passion and knowledge for nature conservation and who will deliver a range of conservation management and monitoring projects.
About Abernethy Nature Reserve
Abernethy is a huge 15,000-hectare nature reserve in the Cairngorms with over 5000 hectares of expanding pine forest. Our 200-year vision is to expand the forest to its natural limit and this is progressing rapidly as pine naturally regenerates outside the forest and as we plant missing broadleaf trees into open ground. This provides new opportunities for a huge diversity of wildlife, including capercaillie, goshawk, pine marten, twinflower, and pine hoverfly. Outside the forest is an expanse of open ground that includes heather moorland, wet heath, peat bog and a remote and vast montane zone. A variety of projects across these areas are enhancing these habitats, for example by restoring degraded peatland and by planting montane willows into the montane scrub zone.
What is the role?
The forest expansion, peatland restoration and montane scrub restoration is only possible due to the management of the large population of red and roe deer. We have a stalking team including two existing wardens, two Cairngorms Connect stalkers and additional contract stalkers who together deliver the deer management plan through deer stalking. You will join this team and be given a stalking beat covering hundreds of hectares of forest and open ground as well as joining joint stalking operations on the wider reserve. Stalking will be undertaken at the most suitable times and this will include regular morning and evening work and include some authorised out of season and night stalking.
In addition to deer stalking, you will work with the Abernethy operations team to plan and deliver a range of habitat, estate and monitoring projects, this may include undertaking Herbivore Impact Assessment, carrying out species monitoring and managing contractors.
What we need from you?
A well-rounded individual with a keen interest and knowledge of nature and nature conservation
Extensive deer stalking experience
Has DSC 1 and has a firearms licence and will be able to get up and running quickly with deer stalking
DSC 2 is also extremely desirable, however, for the right candidate this training can be completed on the job. It is essential to the role that this qualification is achieved within the 6 month probation period
Is dedicated and hardworking who is happy and able to go stalking inside and outside of the normal working week in tough conditions, often on foot, across difficult terrain
Knowledge and experience of the full stalking operation from planning, stalking, carcass retrieval, larder work and record-keeping as well as the related work such as Herbivore Impact Assessment
Experience of practical work and delivery of conservation, land management or estate management projects will also form part of the role.
Accommodation may be available to rent on-site, please enquire if you are interested in more details.
Closing date: 23:59, 30 June 2021
If you would like to find out more please click the Apply button to be directed to our website where you can complete your application for this position.
No agencies please.