National Nature Reserve Warden – Aston Rowant NNR

Summary

This position is based at Aston Rowant NNR within the Chilterns National
Landscape.

The team

Do you have a passion for nature and the environment? Do you want to make a real difference and
secure significant environmental gains in the present and the future? Do you enjoy working in a
team? Can you see yourself advising communities and customers to maximise gains for the Natural
Environment?

If this appeals to you, a career at Natural England offers rewarding opportunities to secure
environmental improvements and play your part in creating a better future for people and
nature.

The priority work Natural England is delivering includes:

• Establishing a Nature Recovery Network to help wildlife thrive 
• Monitoring environmental changes to identify and help reduce the effects of climate change 
• Working with farmers and landowners to develop greener food production methods 
• Advising on plans for new developments to maximise gains for nature 
• Providing ways for people to better connect with nature, including green social
  prescribing 

We are the Government’s advisor for the natural environment, playing a vital role in delivering
the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, an ambitious vision which brings new opportunities
to protect and enhance and to achieve real outcomes for the environment. 

Find out more about the work of Natural England at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england 

This is an exciting opportunity to join Natural England’s National Nature Reserves (NNR) team in
the Thames Solent team. NNRs play an increasingly important role as places where people can
connect with nature and contribute to the recovery of nature in the surrounding landscape.

Aston Rowant NNR is situated within the Chiltern Hills National Landscape. At 160 hectares it
is one of the largest remaining areas of chalk grassland in Oxfordshire, consisting of
extensive habitats of beech woodland and lowland scrub/grassland mosaic is home to a range of
scarce bird species and invertebrates. The reserve is very popular, attracting large numbers of
visitors. Managing high levels of recreational pressure and the annual threat of wildfires, is
therefore a key part of this role, as is the ability to work collaboratively with local
communities, visitors, volunteers and partners.

Aston Rowant NNR sits within a wider landscape of the Chilterns Hills National Landscape and is
a key site for the nature recovery network. Natural England’s nature recovery projects are
focussing on promoting ever closer working with a diverse range of partners to achieve more for
nature and for people.

The job requires a combination of technical and practical land management knowledge and a
developed understanding of the ecology and management of relevant habitats.

The successful candidate will be a self-motivated, flexible, organised individual with a
genuine interest and experience in:

• Partnership working
• Practical conservation management
• Providing a welcoming and rich visitor experience
• Using evidence to inform nature conservation management
• Maintaining the highest health and safety standards
• Team working
• Good governance, record management and information handling

Role Description

The successful candidates will contribute to the work of our team through covering tasks in the
following areas:

• Deliver day-to-day site conservation management including practical habitat management and
  species/habitat monitoring.
• Livestock husbandry of Natural England’s own livestock.
• Build and maintain working relations with a range of stakeholders engaged in the day-to-day
  management of the reserves, including landowners, neighbours, partner organisations and
  community groups.
• Contribute to NNR management planning and maintain management records.
• Promote volunteering opportunities and build volunteer capacity to support NNR priorities.
• Monitor and manage visitor behaviour and patterns of use to support sustainable recreation.
• Implement Health & Safety standards fully for yourself and others, including visitors,
  volunteers and contractors.
• Procurement of goods and services including managing contracts.
• Support the wider team ambitions for NNRs to be at the heart of the Nature Recovery Network
  in the surrounding landscape.

Additional information

A Driving Licence is essential for this role.

At Aston Rowant, some out of hours working is essential for weekend livestock husbandry,
volunteer work party management and public engagement for which overtime payments or Time Off
In Lieu is available. An allowance is also payable for any out-of-hours ‘on-call’ cover.

How to apply 

This vacancy uses competency-based assessment. When completing the application form you should
present relevant examples using the STAR format. STAR stands for:

• Situation
• Task
• Action
• Result 

We’ll assess you against these competencies during the selection process:

• Technical Skills & Knowledge
• Creating Resilient Landscapes & Seas
• Putting People at the Heart of the Environment
• Working Safely