Volunteer Nature Reserves Trainee (West Berkshire)

What you’ll be doing

Imagine waking up in a morning and being able to help with the management and restoration of some of our most beautiful nature reserves, where no two days are the same. 

The traineeship will give you a broad range of experience across different habitats on reserves, including looking after livestock, working with power tools and machinery, practical site maintenance, outdoor nature conservation work and carrying out species surveys. 

One of the key areas will be leading, managing and supporting volunteer reserve work parties who play a vital role in the conservation of our nature reserves.

We know it’s challenging in today’s economic climate to find employment, a placement year opportunity or to change careers.  That’s why we offer people who are passionate about supporting our vision to restore nature the opportunity to gain qualifications and hands-on experience we know will help them achieve their environmental conservation career aspirations.

Purpose of this role

Our aim is to give you hands-on experience and training that will place you in a stronger position to gain paid employment in the practical conservation sector.

As your experience grows, you will also become an important part of our team, supporting our work, and helping us to achieve our vision of an environment rich in wildlife, valued by all.

Type of work and experience gained

Our Volunteer Nature Reserves Trainees assist the Reserves Team in carrying out practical habitat management and infrastructure maintenance across 11 of our nature reserves in West Berkshire including Greenham and Crookham Common, Thatcham Reedbeds and Kintbury Newt Ponds. You will gain experience on a wide variety of habitats including heathland, wetland, woodland and meadows.

In the autumn and winter, you’ll be carrying out practical habitat maintenance and restoration which could include scrub clearance, tree felling, brushcutter operation, meadow and fen cutting, small scale coppicing and pond clearance. In the Spring and summer months, you’ll be involved in the maintenance of site infrastructure such as stock fencing repairs, gate repairs, sign installation, keeping paths open and meadow and fen cutting.

You will also be trained and gain experience in leading volunteer groups and assisting with the care and management of cattle and sheep as well as Exmoor and New Forest ponies. You'll likely also have the chance to help at events or guided walks and to assist with seasonal habitat and species surveys. Training and guidance will be provided for all tasks.

What you’ll have:

• A passion for helping nature and being outdoors.

• A positive attitude.

• A good level of physical fitness and strength.

• Problem solving skills and able to use your own initiative.

• Good communication skills

• Preferably a full, manual UK car driving licence with at least 1 years’ experience.

• Ideally some experience of working or volunteering doing outdoor work.

Who you’ll be:

• Committed and passionate about joining our mission to put nature into recovery.

• Keen to learn and develop with a can-do approach, whatever the weather!

• Someone who is happy to get hands-on with power tools and machinery.

• A team player, able to work collaboratively and inclusively whilst building excellent working relationships.

• Be full of energy and enthusiasm to motivate and lead teams of volunteers (training provided)

What you’ll get:

• A comprehensive training package to support you in your volunteer role, including:

-NPTC Chainsaw, Felling & Cross Cutting Certificate

-Basic BORDA 4x4 course

-First Aid at Work & Forestry Qualification

-Leadership training

-Driver Awareness

-Tool Maintenance

- Ecology Surveying Days Out

-Brushcutter training

-Volunteer Management training

• Invaluable skills and experience to build the foundations for your future career or progression as a volunteer.

• An opportunity to help restore nature in a tangible way.

• Travel expenses (as per our policy)

• Networking opportunities within the environmental sector at BBOWT and across The Wildlife Trusts nationally.

• A skilled and knowledgeable mentor to support your learning and development journey.

• Support to help you with next steps after your traineeship.

• An amazing welcoming team with which to work

Time Commitment

Three days a week for 9-12 months: Tuesday – Thursday 8:30 – 16:30

Expenses payable

Volunteers who use their own vehicles when travelling on behalf of the BBOWT will receive reimbursement in accordance with the mileage rates.