Wildlife Warden

Part-time (18.5 hours / week every Tuesday and Wednesday and 1 weekend / month)

About us

Employed by East Devon District Council, you will be working as part of the South East Devon Habitat Regulations Partnership - a joint approach to Habitat Regulations Mitigation between East Devon District Council, Exeter City Council, Teignbridge District Council and Natural England. The shared vision of this partnership is to protect internationally important wildlife sites from recreational disturbance, including the Exe Estuary, Dawlish Warren and the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths.

About the role

You will play a key role in helping to prevent recreational pressure from harming the protected wildlife of the Exe Estuary, Dawlish Warren and the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths.

Your interesting and varied remit will include engaging and educating visitors, monitoring and enforcement via your on-site presence at these protected sites, raising awareness of their nature conservation importance and encouraging responsible behaviour. This will include walking and boat patrols, visitor events and working with local school groups and retailers; actively initiating polite/assertive conversations with visitors to prevent disturbing and/or damaging behaviour/activities and taking follow-up action as required.

You will work collaboratively with a small team of Wildlife Wardens across the region assisting in the gathering of evidence relating to user activities, effects on wildlife and the effectiveness of mitigation measures. You will also undertake outreach work alongside other relevant organisations including the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust, RSPB and Exe Estuary Management Partnership.

This is a part-time post to work on Tuesday and Wednesday and one 1 weekend per month as well as on some bank holidays throughout the year.

About you

With a good standard of education, you will have a keen interest in wildlife and conservation and a good understanding of nature conservation and countryside issues. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential in this role, and previous experience of engaging with the public and a range of different stakeholders will be extremely beneficial.

Tact, diplomacy and the ability to be assertive when dealing with difficult enforcement issues are also critical, and you will be confident around dogs. Some experience and understanding of business social media posting, writing articles for newsletters and update reports will be beneficial.

You will also need a driving license / to be able to travel as required (reasonable adjustments may be possible according to the Equality Act), and to be confident around water operating the Patrol Boat on the Exe Estuary.

Apply

For more about working for East Devon District Council, visit eastdevon.gov.uk/careers/working-at-eddc

For any further information, please contact Neil Harris, Habitat Regulations Delivery Manager, on 07890 626291 or email [email protected]

Closing date: 17 November 2025 at midnight.
Interviews will be held during week commencing 1 December 2025.