This Position has been filled
Warden (Estate Team)
Salary up to £25,553
Based at Wandlebury Country Park, Cambridge CB22 3AE.
Closing date: 10am on 7 April 2025
Click here to download application pack or read below.
The Opportunity
This is an exciting time to join our charity, Cambridge is changing rapidly, and we are working hard to tackle issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change and access to green space. We have inspiring new projects to expand habitats and green spaces around Cambridge, to create a new wetland at our Coton Reserve, to plant trees and woodlands and to save one of Cambridge’s oldest buildings. Right now, the work of our charity is needed more than ever before, and you can help us make a difference.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is enthusiastic about nature and heritage and who enjoys working outdoors in beautiful places. You will be reliable, hard-working and good at communicating with the public; a team player who is confident working alone and outdoors on a public site and who has the flexibility to work at different times according to the season.
You will be practically minded and have experience of estate management techniques, farming, landscaping, nature conservation or construction work, including the use of hand tools and estate management equipment.
You will have the opportunity to work on some of Cambridge’s most important countryside and heritage sites and to develop your skills and knowledge in the management of nature, heritage and visitors.
You will be part of a small, friendly and committed Estate Team where you can make a difference, and your work will have an impact.
Our base is in an 18th century building overlooking the beautiful Wandlebury estate. Wandlebury is located on top of the Gog Magog Hills just south of Cambridge.
About us
Cambridge Past, Present & Future is a local charity that protects the beauty of Cambridge and its environment.
We protect the green setting of Cambridge and its most valuable landscapes, and we are working to enhance and connect them for people and nature.
We inspire people of all ages to get outdoors and help them to enjoy, learn about and get involved with their local environment, heritage and culture.
We help to protect, celebrate and improve the important built heritage of the Cambridge area.
We own or care for Wandlebury Country Park, Coton Countryside Reserve, Grantchester Meadows, Bourn Windmill, Hinxton Watermill and Cambridge Leper Chapel. We deliver a busy schools and public events programme. We were founded in 1928 to preserve the beauty of the historic city of Cambridge and its countryside setting and we work hard to influence the planning and development of the greater Cambridge area.
We are a team of 15 staff (8 full and 7 part-time) supported by over 100 volunteers and assisted by contracted field teachers, advisors and service providers.
Terms & Conditions
Hours: 37.5 per week on a shift rota (including 1 in 3 weekends).
Salary: Up to £25,553, dependent on experience.
Contract: Permanent (following six-month probationary period).
Start Date: As soon as available.
Location: Based at Wandlebury Country Park but working across other CambridgePPF properties.
This role is primarily outdoors.
Benefits: 33 days annual holiday entitlement, includes allowance for Bank Holidays.
Pension contribution of up to 5% of gross pay.
How to Apply
Our people are very important to us, we aspire to create an inclusive workspace that is free from discrimination, where differences are valued, everyone can be themselves and succeed. Please apply to work for CambridgePPF, your application will be welcomed.
Please email us the following:
- Your full CV.
- A covering letter telling us how you meet the person specification and job description for this role – and tell us why you want the job.
- Please tell us about any certificates you hold for the use of relevant equipment and materials.
- Contact details for two referees (who will not be approached without your permission)
Applications should be emailed to Angela at sec@cambridgeppf.org
Please title your email ‘Job Application’ and include your name in the file name of your CV and cover letter.
Closing date for applications is Monday 7 April 10am.
We are also recruiting for two part-time seasonal wardens to join our team on a temporary basis until mid-September 2025. You can find details of this role at www.cambridgeppf.org/Pages/Category/work-for-us
If you would also like to be considered for the seasonal role you don’t need to submit a separate application,
just tell us that you wish to be considered for both roles.
If you would like an informal chat about this role or have any questions please contact Ed Wombwell, Countryside Manager, on 01223 243830 ext. 210.
Job Description
Part of a small Estate Team of full-time and part-time wardens who have responsibility for supporting the visitor, wildlife and heritage management of Wandlebury Country Park, Coton Countryside Reserve and other sites owned by the charity. This is a physical, hands-on and outdoor role that involves working the land and property, using tools and machinery and dealing face-face with the public.
Working under the direction of the Countryside Manager and the Senior Warden and helping to deliver agreed site management plans, including the conservation and enhancement of the natural landscape, historical features and wildlife habitats.
The Estate Team aims to operate 8am to dusk 365 days per year. To achieve this the Estate Team operates on a rota which changes through the year with day-length. The post-holder is expected to work every third weekend (or as agreed).
Conservation
- Assist the Countryside Manager and Senior Warden in the implementation of operational plans across CPPF sites.
- Undertake practical habitat management work including hay making, scrub management, tree management, hedge management, pond management, etc…
- Support onsite ecological monitoring programmes.
- Assist and lead on the development of specific conservation projects/tasks.
- Organise and deliver conservation volunteer sessions on a regular basis.
- Carry out basic tree safety surveys.
- Assist with livestock related work including movements, welfare checks and general care.
- Help to conserve historic buildings and features.
Estate Management
- Assist the Countryside Manager and Senior Warden to maintain the fabric of the estate (eg paths, fencing, signs, gates, buildings, etc).
- Help to maintain storage facilities, tools, equipment, machinery and vehicles to appropriate standards.
- Assist with the prevention and clearance of litter and in implementing the dog policy.
- Maintain visitor/public services to a high standard.
Education & Visitor Services
- Patrol sites to ensure that they are safe for all visitors and enforce CPPF policies.
- Provide a welcoming, helpful and informative service to visitors and stakeholders.
- Support education centre activities and public events.
- Support private hire activities such as bookings, weddings, parties, BBQs, etc.
- Support the operation of visitor car parking and café services.
- Lead or assist with guided walks and other public events run by the Estate Team.
Other Tasks
- Help to promote CambridgePPF and its work.
- Help to supervise volunteers.
- Liaise with other staff on all matters of overlapping responsibility.
- Participate in any training/development and staff team activities as identified and agreed with the Countryside Manager and others.
- Follow all CPPF policies and procedures.
- Undertake any other duties which from time to time may be required by the charity (CambridgePPF is a small charity carrying out a wide range of operations and occasionally it may be necessary for the post-holder to cover for other staff or to help with the other operations of the charity).
- Occasional extra work may be required, to ensure the effective management of projects/events/activities and to meet deadlines, for which time off in lieu will be granted or additional pay.
Health & Safety
- Be aware of and comply with CambridgePPF policies and procedures on health and safety at work: by adopting safe working practices, reporting any accidents, near misses and/or unsafe or hazardous conditions to management and to do everything reasonable to prevent personal injury to yourself, fellow workers and members of the public.
- Use of machinery is restricted to personnel with the relevant certificate, where this is a legal requirement or until the member of staff has received instruction in their safe use.
- Be aware of, follow and carry out risk assessments.
A risk assessment has been carried out for the role with hazards including:
- Lone working
- Manual handling
- Use of 4×4 or off-road vehicles
- Use of mechanical equipment e.g. strimmers
- Working in or near water
- Working all year round in all weather conditions
- Slips, trips and falls due to uneven ground
- Working with animals
Person Specification
|
Criteria |
Essential |
Desirable |
|
Education and Qualifications |
Recognised training or qualifications in a relevant subject e.g. nature conservation, land management, farming, landscaping, grounds maintenance, ecology, etc. |
Training/certificates for the use of relevant equipment or materials (please tell us which ones). |
|
Knowledge, skills and experience |
Relevant work experience (including voluntary work) eg nature conservation, land management, farming, landscaping, grounds maintenance, etc. An understanding of Health & Safety, with regards to countryside / open space management / estate management. Experience of using hand tools and/or estate management equipment (eg strimmers, mowers, etc). Experience of dealing with and communicating with the public (this could be gained doing other types of jobs such as hospitality work). |
Knowledge of, and commitment to at least one of: nature/heritage/ environment/culture/Cambridge. Experience of working with volunteers or supervising staff. NPTC/LANTRA training in relevant subjects e.g. Chainsaw, Brushcutter, Tractor Driving |
|
Personality, character traits and disposition |
Good customer care skills and the ability to work calmly, confidently and positively with a wide range of people. Able to work outdoors in all seasons and carry out physical and practical work. General flexibility in working hours, including weekends. Hard working and reliable. Confident and uses initiative. Self-motivated and positive outlook. |
|
|
Miscellaneous |
Full Driving Licence. Proof of the right to work in the UK |