Life on the Edge Conservation Trainee

We are looking for 2 trainees as part of the National Lottery Heritage Fund supported, Life on the Edge Project (LotE). One Trainee will specialise in assisting with our engaging program of community activities as our Communities Trainee, with the other position specialising in assisting with our conservation work as our Conservation Trainee. LotE is aiming to create, restore and conserve important habitats on the South Devon coast, all working towards securing a future for 30 rare and threatened invertebrates. Species include Mediterranean oil beetle, Long-horned bee and the rarest bee in Britain, the Six-banded nomad bee. Our Conservation and Communities trainees will help us deliver this important work, shadowing our Conservation and Communities officers. This entry level position is aimed at progressing important skills and gaining invaluable experience in the environmental sector.

Day to day work in the two positions will be varied; the Communities Trainee can expect to assist with the broad range of project activities with local target audience groups and the general public. The Conservation Trainee will assist with specialist species surveying, assisting developing our volunteering offer and assisting nature focused events or practical engagement activities. The trainee scheme will also benefit from the wider Life on the Edge project with opportunities to be involved with broad range of project activity with other project delivery partners.

Working at landscape scale, ranging the entirety of the South Devon Coast, our LotE Trainees will have fantastic insight into the world of nature conservation whilst improving nature connectiveness and inspiring local communities about nature.

Each Trainee position will be employed on an 6mth contract at 0.5FTE (18hrs/week) by South Hams District Council, the host of South Devon National Landscape. Given the nature of events on various days during the week, a favourable approach to flexible working will be advantageous. We urge applicants to apply who meet the scheme requirements and have a keenness to learn more about the natural world, how to conserve it and engage people along the way! Unfortunately, we are only able to accept applications from individuals over the age of 18yrs old.

All interested candidates are encouraged to join an online webinar session to learn more about the Life on the Edge project, these opportunities and ask any questions in a short Q&A session. This will be held on Zoom on Monday 28th July at 1800 – please get in contact [email protected] for the link.

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 19th Aug (Communities Trainee) & Weds 20th Aug (Conservation Trainee)

We are only able to accept applications from individuals over the age of 18yrs old.

You may apply for both roles but if you have a preference for one position (Communities Trainee or Conservation Trainee) please make sure this is stated in your application.

For an informal discussion please contact Nicky Bailey, Life on the Edge Volunteering and Learning Officer on 01803 229334 or email [email protected] 

For further information on the project see https://www.southdevon-nl.org.uk/projects/life-on-the-edge/