Wildlife Conservation is a competitive field, and it can be hard to show that you have the experience needed to land your first job. If you have a real desire to work in this rewarding and satisfying field, but need to boost your skills and experience, a volunteer Wildlife Trainee position with BBOWT may be the perfect role for you. With a mix of hands-on experience, role-specific training, and qualifications, our traineeships have a long track record of success in preparing trainees to get into paid employment.

You’ll have to be able to commit time to be one of our Wildlife Trainees and gain the upper hand when you come to apply for jobs. To get the most out of this opportunity, you’ll need to be available for three days a week for 12 months. You don’t need to be especially knowledgeable, although previous relevant volunteering experience will help you know more about what’s involved. You should have a keen interest in UK wildlife conservation, a good level of physical fitness, feel comfortable in teams and be willing to supervise volunteers.

You will benefit from a substantial amount of training and get plenty of experience, learning from our employees and volunteers. You’ll spend most of your time out on our nature reserves gaining practical knowledge and skills in conservation techniques, ranging from scrub clearance and vegetation management to maintenance of site infrastructure and helping to manage our livestock. You’ll also have access to outdoor first aid certification and NPTC chainsaw and have the opportunity to develop an essential network of contacts in the sector.

Based out of Estovers, Greenham and Crookham Common (RG19 8BZ), you’ll have a dedicated mentor to guide and support you through your traineeship. You’ll join our skilled and knowledgeable team and learn about the practical management of a range of habitats across our West Berkshire reserves. These beautiful places include ancient woodland at Bowdown Woods, the extensive heathlands of Snelsmore Common and Greenham and Crookham Common and the wetlands of the Thatcham Reedbeds, along with smaller chalk meadows of Seven barrows and Watts Bank. Trainees would also help to look after the small herd of Exmoor and New Forest ponies as well as occasional assistance with cattle and sheep. There would also be an opportunity to assist with some species and habitat surveys and the occasional community event or corporate task.

To apply for this role, please click the 'APPLY HERE' tab.

Closing: 11:59pm, 20th May 2024

Start date: mid-June 2024