Nature Reserve Warden

We have a unique opportunity for a Nature Reserve Warden to support the Lead Nature Reserve Advisor here at Yorkshire Water and will be a part of helping Yorkshire Water deliver Yorkshire Water’s policies on public safety, access, and conservation across its recreational and conservation sites throughout the Yorkshire region. Could this be you?

What we do!

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this.

We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity.

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. Land and Property are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.

Our Nature Reserve Warden supports the Lead Nature Reserve Advisor role with a focus on delivering our conservation centre of excellence approach, by delivering the best habitats, wildlife and visitor experiences. 

You will make connections with YW internal teams, volunteers and external partnerships so you will be engaging with customers, regulators and stakeholders on a regular basis.

As our Nature Reserve Warden and due to its specialist nature we would love to hear from you if you are passionate about conservation, wildlife and visitor experience and be able to engage with a wide audience and communicate across a wider subject area using your data and reporting skills.

We would need you to advise the Lead on how we can best deliver maximum biodiversity in partnership with colleagues, stakeholders and stewardship to guide our habitat management. To qualify this we need your specialist ecological knowledge which there will be opportunity to develop, and know how to convey this both in a formal format, and to a wide user base using your visitor engagement and social media skills to leave a lasting positive impression of Yorkshire Water’s environmental delivery. We also need your organisation and administrative skills to help ensure safety and compliance for our facilities, visitor admissions and reporting.

Where you fit in!

What skills, experience & qualifications you will need:

• Enjoy working outdoors in all weather conditions and remote locations.

• Compliance to ensure SSSI citations are maintained.

• Species management in order to encourage key species.

• Day to day running of Tophill Low, providing site cover based on rota. Customer facing, engaging with volunteers and stakeholders.

• KPI’s. supporting delivery and reporting against YW performance targets, e.g. WINEP, AMP. Wider biodiversity reporting.

• H&S, monitoring of site safety, visitor safety, staff and volunteers, facilities management and reporting, contractor access liaison and monitoring.

• Stakeholder engagement, statutory agencies liaison e.g. Natural England, Environment Agency, Universities, multiple partnerships.

• Visitor customer experience, engagement with volunteers, events, comms, brand and reputation.

• Supporting team based at Tophill Low hub, includes colleagues, volunteers and student placements.

• Finance, monitoring and reporting including membership, cash handling.

• Proficient in computer management systems and processes.

• You need to be an enthusiastic individual with thorough attention to detail and high standards.

• Practical conservation qualifications including LANTRA, chainsaw, ATV, tractor, brushcutter, mower and spraying along with GIS mapping and ecological surveying.

• Hold a valid full driving licence (no more than six points).

You will also benefit from having:

• Relevant knowledge and experience.

• H&S knowledge and first aid.

• Wider biodiversity skills to report on such things as wetland bird counts, breeding bird surveys alongside ecological surveys including bird ringing, bat handling and newts.

Applications deadline: 7th September, 2025.
Interview dates: To be announced shortly.

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy!

Do we sound like your cup of tea?

If you’re an experienced Countryside professional and want to help us deliver exceptional service for our customers whilst protecting the environment, then apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer for you.

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance.

All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

No agencies please.