Conservation Grazing Officer

The Conservation Grazing Officer will support the day-to-day management of the Trust’s livestock and grazing-related infrastructure at Tollesbury Wick and other Trust grazing sites across Essex, ensuring the completion of the annual county-wide grazing programme and the management of the health and welfare of the in-house livestock throughout the year, in line with the ‘five freedoms’.

The Conservation Grazing Officer will also focus on enhancing the in-house grazing operation at Tollesbury Wick Nature Reserve (243ha) and, liaising with the Senior Ranger for North Essex, will ensure the regular monitoring and proactive maintenance of its grazing infrastructure. The Conservation Grazing Officer is responsible for the re-establishment and long-term management of a Tollesbury Wick Nature Reserve volunteer group and will support grazing at other Trust reserves throughout Essex.

The postholder will also be directly responsible for a vehicle and for a variety of specialist equipment requiring up-to-date record-keeping and H&S reporting. The officer will be directly responsible for organising volunteer “lookers” and work parties for other grazing sites to assist with the grazing operation and infrastructure maintenance.

Tollesbury Wick Nature Reserve is a coastal freshwater marsh nature reserve has been worked for decades by traditional methods to help wildlife, so it now boasts a wonderful diversity of species. Essex Wildlife Trust’s flying flock of sheep and cattle are crucial in helping to manage this freshwater grazing marsh in the most sustainable way possible. The rough pasture is also perfect habitat for small mammals such as Field Voles and Pygmy Shrews, which makes this reserve the ideal hunting ground for numerous birds of prey species. Visit our website for more information about our Tollesbury Wick Nature Reserve.

Grazing in Essex plays a critical role in maintaining the region's landscapes and biodiversity. Essex boasts a diverse range of habitats including grasslands, woodlands, wetlands and coastal areas. Grazing animals such as cattle, sheep and ponies are often employed as an effective tool for habitat management in these areas.

Essex's varied landscapes support a wide array of wildlife, including rare and endangered species. Grazing animals help to control vegetation growth, prevent the dominance of invasive plant species, and create diverse habitats that support a rich biodiversity.

The position is a permanent role with a salary of £25,122.83 per annum. The hours of work are 37.5 hours per week with a team rota in place for weekend grazing cover and call out.

To apply for this opportunity, please submit an application via People First by 9:00am on Thursday 04 April 2024. The interviews will be held on Monday 15 April 2024.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to offering an interview to anyone with a disability that meets all the essential criteria for the post. Please let us know if you require any adjustments to make our recruitment process more accessible. 

Essex Wildlife Trust is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone is welcome. As a conservation charity, we know how important diversity is, both in our natural world and amongst the people we employ. We want everyone to feel valued and empowered to contribute to our vision of “A county rich in wildlife with people connected to nature”.