Wildlife Ranger Apprenticeship

FORESTRY AND LAND SCOTLAND

Wildlife Ranger Apprenticeship

Job reference: REQ0553

Location: Multiple (See JD)

Salary: £21,479

Contractual hours: 37

Basis: Full time

Job description

Working at Forestry and Land Scotland is all about ‘People, Pride and Purpose.’ Join us and take pride in helping look after something incredibly valuable to the people of Scotland and its visitors – Scotland’s national forests and land.

At FLS, you’ll work with talented, innovative, and committed people who enjoy a range of flexible working options. It’s an exciting time to join us as we spearhead the fight against climate change in Scotland, support the economy, protect and enhance the environment, and make positive contributions to local communities.

We are delighted to be offering six Wildlife Ranger Apprenticeships based in the following regions for enthusiastic people who have an interest in joining our Wildlife Management team:

• Newton Stewart (South Region)
• New Galloway/Castle Douglas (South Region)
• Golspie (North Region)
• West Calder (Central Region)
• Lochgilphead (West Region)
• Oban or Fort William (West Region)

Forestry and Land Scotland is the Scottish Government agency responsible for managing Scotland’s national forests and land. Key roles are delivering a sustainable resource of timber, improving and expanding native habitats, mitigating climate change and providing space for public recreation. Sustainable deer and wildlife management is the foundation to achieving the Scottish Government’s resource, native habitat and climate targets. We are made up of five regional areas with each responsible for the landholding in their area (100K+ Ha).

About the team

The primary purpose of the Wildlife Management team is to protect the Scotland’s National Forest and Land from negative impacts caused by deer and other herbivores. We also work with the wider team to deliver conservation actions including habitat and species management whilst ensuring all wildlife management activities are undertaken following industry best practice, FLS policies and relevant legislation all of which form part of the learning and development role.

Health and Safety is the focus within all activities and training is key across our systems and processes to support the team and ensure safety for all including colleagues and members of the public. In this role specifically, this includes firearm safety training, risk assessment and safe working procedures for all activities undertaken.

Main Duties

• Work closely with colleagues in the wider team through the Wildlife Ranger Manager (WRM) and Wildlife Ranger (WR) mentors to deliver operational protection within the Forestry and Land Scotland management areas.
• Support the wildlife team through site-based activities and liaison with contractors through regular day to day contact with mentor and supervising WRM.
• Provision of feedback on Herbivore impacts and wider habitat impacts through regular monitoring and weekly diary reports to WRM.
• Work with Forest Management, Planning Foresters and Environment Advisors to identify and plan future culling programmes where forest/habitat protection are key elements for success.
• Monitor your own and encourage high standards of Health & Safety within the team and contractor resource, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and guidance, including all deer related policies and industry best practice.
• Control and management of deer and other mammals to protect forest crops, habitat regeneration, and biodiversity in line with FLS Land Management Plans, through assisting with deer culling activities, including shooting, extraction of carcasses, larder work, and inputting data to the Wildlife Management System.
• To build and maintain professional relationships and work in collaboration with others when required.
• Advise and support FLS staff in restock design, access planning and appropriate protection methods and tree species choice to aid reduction of deer damage.
• Support FLS colleagues to engage woodland users and promote positive behaviour for the protection of forest habitat and infrastructure.

Application closing date: 4 April 2023.

To apply on our website, click here