Visitor Engagement Warden
Salary: £31,537 - £33,699 per annum
Hours per week: 37 hours
Temporary/Fixed term: 2 years
Interview date: end of July 2026 (dates to be confirmed following shortlisting)
We are seeking an enthusiastic and proactive Visitor Engagement Warden to play a key role in protecting the unique and sensitive environment of North Meadow. You will be a visible and approachable presence on site, engaging with visitors, promoting responsible behaviour, and ensuring compliance with site guidelines, particularly during the busy flowering season.
North Meadow is a nationally and internationally protected site, recognised as a Special Area of Conservation, Site of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserve. Renowned for its rare lowland hay meadow, it attracts high visitor numbers while serving as a valued local space.
Working independently, you will patrol the site, monitor visitor activity, and address issues such as off-path access and irresponsible dog walking through positive engagement and education. You will collect and analyse visitor data to better understand site use and impacts, producing clear reports that help shape future management decisions and mitigation measures. You may also support ecological monitoring activities and assist with maintaining signage and temporary infrastructure.
This varied role also includes delivering events, creating educational materials, and working with local partners including Natural England and local authorities. You will contribute to research, campaigns, and partnership working, helping to balance public enjoyment with the long-term protection of this important natural site. Apply now to help protect a rare and beautiful landscape while inspiring visitors to enjoy it responsibly.
Why us?
Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Find out more about Our Identity, staff networks, and employee benefits here.
Our hybrid working model means office staff are on site for at least half their hours, community-based staff carry out at least half their admin time in a workplace, and customer‑facing roles work entirely from their service location.
We are committed to creating a workplace where positive relationships thrive and everyone feels engaged, supported and able to do their best. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect, guided by our vision and Our Identity.
Contact details
Niall Machin, Ecology Manager, at Niall.Machin@wiltshire.gov.uk
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Application criteria
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Statement of commitment to equality and inclusion
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Ensure a unified approach to site protection and visitor management by:
Independently undertaking routine patrols and general site presence and ensuring visitors comply with site instructions
Monitoring and mitigating high impact activities such as off-path walking and irresponsible dog walking
Welcoming visitors and promote responsible behaviour onsite by communicating the ecological importance and sensitivity of North Meadow to visitors especially during the fritillary flower season.
Recording visitor behaviour and site impacts using surveys, counters, and remote data loggers and drawing conclusions form the date to inform decision making and make recommendations
Where necessary physically participate in ecological monitoring such as soil compaction, bare ground mapping and/ or nutrient sampling.
Assisting the Reserves Team in installing and maintaining signage and temporary infrastructures e.g. way markers during fritillary season.
Planning and delivering engagement events to encourage community engagement from the public, residents, schools and local community groups / visitors through volunteering and awareness campaigns.
Developing and distributing educational materials for the public, residents schools and local community groups.
Working closely with Local Authorities and Natural England by contributing to and supporting the delivery of research projects to drive future mitigation proposals on site e.g. designated dog zones, car parking adjustments)
Providing updates to stakeholders and attend North Meadow Steering Group, a multi-agency partnership group and share updates between partners.
Compiling incident reports and maintaining records using appropriate IT systems
Contributing to social media and online campaigns.
A levels or national diploma in ecology or environmental management or equivalent experience/skills.
A working knowledge of Health & Safety, such as following and reviewing risk assessments, carrying out informal safety checks, ensuring your own and visitor safety, and escalating concerns to the Reserve and Senior Reserve Manager
Skilled in inclusive communication across diverse audiences.
Experience in creating educational materials (leaflets, interpretation boards, info packs, etc.).
Experience organising and leading public engagement events.
Capable of handling difficult situations (e.g. challenging individuals, site damage).
Able to work independently and as part of a team
Self-motivated, organised, enthusiastic and committed to delivering a high quality visitor experience.
Good planning and organisational skills with ability to use initiative, prioritise workloads and achieve deadlines.
Excellent ICT skills including use of Microsoft applications and specialist systems??
Work on own initiative to manage own activities
- Ability to draft up technical reports and drawing conclusions from the data to inform decision making.