Practical Conservation Worker

This role within the Grounds team of the University of St Andrews Estates department will support the delivery of a conservation project aimed at changing grassland management, increasing tree and hedge cover, restoring habitats and engaging people in Practical Conservation tasks. The person will report to the Grounds Manager and work alongside the University’s Environment team to ensure that areas of land under management for conservation are enhanced for biodiversity. 

Activities are seasonal, and the post will focus on grass cutting for meadow creation and management across numerous sites (University, Fife Council and local partners) during the summer months, and tree and hedge planting mainly on University sites during the winter months. There will also be some saltmarsh and dune restoration work, and assistance in creation of two wetland sites. 

The post holder will have a good working knowledge of operational tasks required for grounds maintenance typically gained through a period of practical training or elementary study (e.g. Standard Grades (GCSEs), NVQ 2/3 or equivalent) and considerable experience in a similar post. 

They will be required to operate a ride-on mower and be able to move this between sites using a vehicle and trailer. They will also support regular Practical Conservation sessions (during term time c. one two-hour session per week) that look to provide students and local residents with opportunities to volunteer in nature conservation initiatives. These would be basic jobs like tree/hedge planting, tree care such as mulching and pruning, tree regeneration removal on sand dunes, hay raking and seed sowing in meadows, and planting and maintenance of new wetland habitat. 

The worker will liaise weekly with the Ecological Projects Manager in Estates to report on tasks and coordinate sessions and work.

This post is fixed term until 31 March 2025. 

Employees of the University have access to a wide range of staff benefits including:

• Annual leave of 30 days, plus 5 public holidays
• Membership of the S&LAS Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions
• A range of family friendly policies 
• Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services
• Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel
• Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff, access to training and development opportunities including LinkedIn Learning, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme 
• A range of wellbeing initiatives including membership of Peppy, a health application that connects staff to expert practitioners and personalized support on health matters.

Further information and informal enquiries may be directed to the Ecological Projects Manager at jcw24@st-andrews.ac.uk and/or Head of Grounds at jjr3@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Applications are particularly welcome from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented in professional posts at the University.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the St Andrews experience and form a central pillar of the University Strategy. We strive to create a fair and inclusive culture demonstrated through our commitment to diversity awards (Athena Swan, Carer Positive, LGBT Charter and Race Charters). We celebrate diversity by promoting profiles of BAME, LGBTIQ+ staff and supporting networks including the Staff BAME Network; Staff with Disabilities Network; Staff LGBTIQ+ Network; and the Staff Parents & Carers Network. Full details available online: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Information on other visa options is available at www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa or by contacting our HR Immigration Team on hrimmigration@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Closing Date: 8 July 2024
Interview Date: 17 July 2024
Start: As soon as possible