Wildlife Trainee Conservation (West Berkshire)

What are the main objectives of the role?

Our aim is to give you hands-on experience and training that will place you in a strong 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.

What’s in it for me?

If you’re enthusiastic and determined to get into a paid role in conservation this could be a perfect first step for you. We are proud that a large proportion of our Volunteer Trainees go from their traineeship into paid work in the Wildlife Conservation sector.

You will receive crucial training and get plenty of active experience, learning from our skilled and knowledgeable employees and volunteers.

Our training programme is specifically geared to give you a wide range of employer-valued skills, which can be tailored to suit your career plans. The training programme includes externally certified courses in Outdoor First Aid at Work and NPTC chainsaw, as well as day to day guidance on all aspects of nature reserve management and in-house training on a variety of applicable skills and techniques, including brushcutter use.

On top of that, you’ll benefit from being in a large organisation, meeting other trainees, employees and volunteers. You’ll get to see how a conservation organisation works, giving you the chance to build a network of contacts and develop communication and team-working skills that are so important to your future career.

There’s also an email newsletter for volunteers, Grapevine – you will be able to sign up for this, keeping you informed about volunteering activities across BBOWT.

What sorts of tasks and activities will I be doing?

Our Volunteer Wildlife 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, small scale coppicing and pond management. 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.

Who will I be volunteering with?

You’ll be part of a team of employees, volunteers and other volunteer trainees. You will report to a dedicated and experienced mentor, who will support you and help with personal development throughout your placement.

Where will I be based?

You will be based at Estovers, Greenham and Crookham Common in West Berkshire (RG19 8BZ) and from here travel out to other reserves within West Berkshire. BBOWT vehicles will normally be available for this, or mileage expenses will be paid if required to use your own vehicle (business insurance may be required). You will occasionally travel to other sites within Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

How much time will I be expected to give?

We've found that this works best when Volunteer Trainees are able to commit to 3 days a week for 12 months. The days for your traineeship will preferably be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, however there may be some flexibility.

On a normal day, you will start at 8.30am and finish at 4.30pm, although sometimes, this may vary.

The duration of the traineeship could be flexible (based on a discussion) but the training opportunities available to you may be reduced.

Will I be able to claim for expenses?

We reimburse travel expenses for you to get from home to your normal base, or elsewhere if agreed with your mentor. The amount able to be reimbursed through expenses per month is set out in our expenses policy. Normally, BBOWT vehicles will be available for you to drive out to other locations, so you won’t need to travel in your own vehicle during the working day.

What skills, experience and attributes do I need?

What’s most important is that you should have a desire to get involved and learn all you can.

You’ll need to have a keen interest in UK wildlife conservation, a good level of physical fitness, and be willing to supervise volunteers once you’re confident and have had training.

The list below gives some more details about who we are looking for:

• Desire to work in UK wildlife conservation

• A good level of physical fitness & strength

• Willingness to be trained on and use power tools including brushcutters / chainsaws

• Willingness to supervise and lead others

• Ability to engage with a range of people of all ages and backgrounds

• You take initiative in identifying tasks both as part of a team and independently

• Ability to communicate clearly and follow complex instructions

• Desire to develop skills and standards of workmanship required in habitat management

• A proactive ‘can do’ approach to learning and completing tasks.

• Full manual driving licence and a willingness to drive Wildlife Trust vehicles.