Job Title: Head of Conservation – Epping Forest & Buffer Lands
Contract Type: Permanent (Full Time, 35 hours per week)
Location: Epping Forest- The Warren, Loughton, Essex, IG10 4RW
Shift and Schedule: Monday-Friday. Also working 1 week in 6 as a call out duty manager if residential. A residential lodge can be provided – this is optional.
Job reference: OENV0212
Application closing date: 11/12/2023
Salary: Grade F Residential (£47,590 – £53,860) per annum inclusive of all allowances and a residential lodge can be provided, Grade F non-Residential (£52,530 – £59,620) per annum inclusive of all allowances
A unique opportunity has arisen to appoint a Head of Conservation at Epping Forest. We are looking for an experienced individual with a passion for conservation and detailed knowledge of habitat management within an internationally protected ancient wood pasture landscape.
If you have clear leadership skills, an ability to manage teams working in a variety of disciplines, have excellent communication skills and the desire to work collaboratively to manage this dynamic, highly visited landscape, then we would love to hear from you.
About Us
Epping Forest is amongst 11,000 acres of open spaces, parks, and gardens in and around London owned and managed by the City of London as part of its commitment to sustaining a first-class city. Each open space is a unique resource for the use and enjoyment of the public and for the conservation of wildlife and the historic landscape.
Epping Forest stretches from London’s East End for 14 miles out into Essex and covers over 6000 acres along with a further 2000 acres of ‘buffer land’ and receives over 10 million visits each year. Two thirds of the Forest is designated as SSSI and SAC and is home to over 50,000 veteran trees, ancient pollards, over 100 ponds and lakes, two registered parks, ancient monuments, and listed buildings. The ancient wood pasture landscape is managed with the help of a resident herd of 200 Longhorn cattle.
The Role
You will lead on delivery of a multi-million pound conservation habitat restoration, a revitalised species monitoring programme and continue the pioneering collar based containment grazing. In addition you will lead overall estate management, including built property, public safety and decarbonisation. You will guide and inspire your section to provide excellent delivery of our successful golf course and football pitches and of wildlife management, which you will ensure continues to support our objectives for biodiversity and environmental stewardship.
The Ideal Candidate
You will be a vital member of the senior management team, encouraging collaboration to achieve the best balance of conservation requirements with public safety, access and recreation. You have motivational leadership skills and can demonstrate extensive experience of managing teams and individuals working in a variety of disciplines. You will be passionate about the environment and enthusiastic about engaging with the community, volunteers, and partner organisations to manage this complex and busy environment. You will be a confident speaker, keen to inform and educate the public.
You are a highly effective manager with demonstrable experience of efficiently managing budgets, projects and reporting back.
If you would like to discuss this role please call 0208 532 1010.
Benefits Include
- Competitive salary depending on experience (with clear incremental progress points)
- If residential, starting at £47,590
- If non-residential starting at £52,530
- Residential status can be chosen by appointee.
- 28 days annual leave plus public holidays (or time in lieu where applicable).
- Pension scheme is operated in accordance with Local Government Pension Scheme
- Hybrid working options
- Employee assistance programmes including mental well-being support.
- Bicycle Loan scheme.
- Travel card scheme
Please see the Job information Pack for more details. To apply online please click here.
Closing date: 12 noon on 10 December 2023
Interview date: 18 December 2023
Alternatively, please contact 020 7332 3978 (24 hr answerphone) quoting reference number OENV0212. A minicom service for the hearing impaired is available on 020 7332 3732.
The City of London Corporation is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.