Assistant Reserves Officer

About You

Are you passionate about wildlife, skilled in practical land management and motivated by the challenge of caring for some of Worcestershire’s most important nature reserves? We’re looking for someone looking to make the next step in their career in nature conservation, who can confidently lead practical conservation work through managing and supporting volunteer teams.

You’ll need good communication skills, strong organisational ability and at least 12 months relevant experience. Most importantly, you’ll bring enthusiasm for wildlife, a practical mindset and an enthusiasm for development, both of your own skills and those of our volunteers.

About Us

We are Worcestershire’s leading nature conservation charity, committed to protecting wildlife and the natural environment. We are supported by over 21,000 individual members. Our 40 staff are supported by our 500 volunteers who are vital to the delivery of our work. We manage more than 75 nature reserves across the county, covering 12.5 square kilometers of land, and provide land management advice across a quarter of Worcestershire. Inspiring people to take action for nature is central to our work, from schools and youth groups to communities and local businesses.

Our strategy to 2030 focuses on three key goals:

• Nature in recovery: 30% of land for nature by 2030
• Action for nature: one in four people taking action for nature by 2030
• Sustaining our future: more diversity, more funding and carbon zero by 2030

We are one of 46 independent Wildlife Trusts across the UK.

We’re Wild About Inclusion. To us, this means inspiring, empowering and engaging people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and abilities to change the natural world for the better. It also means cultivating inclusive workspaces that are free from discrimination, where differences are valued and everyone can be themselves and flourish, just like nature! As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we actively welcome applications from disabled candidates. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements required and choose to apply under the scheme will be offered an interview.

About the Role

We are looking for an Assistant Reserves Officer to join the team following an expansion of our nature reserves and volunteer groups. The role will offer support to the existing team of reserves officers by running practical volunteer work parties to deliver conservation management across our nature reserves, which include regionally important wetland sites, semi-natural ancient woodlands and wood pasture.

Working with our large group of dedicated volunteers you will maintain and improve these iconic sites. This role will also require you to assist with the recruitment, onboarding and ongoing support of our practical conservation volunteers.

You will review and deliver practical management, leading our roving volunteers that operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as other site-based groups, while seeking to recruit volunteer leaders for some of these teams. This is an assistant level role but we would expect at least one year’s relevant experience, thus providing a great opportunity for someone looking to take their next step in their career.

Based at Lower Smite Farm with hybrid working available, you’ll work closely with teams across the Trust to support and enhance volunteering in all areas of our work.

What We Offer

We offer a supportive, friendly and purpose‑driven working environment where your contribution genuinely makes a difference for wildlife and local communities. As part of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, you’ll benefit from:

• A generous annual leave allowance of 6.6 weeks including bank holidays
• A holiday purchase scheme
• A contributory pension scheme with 4%/8% employer contributions
• Flexible and hybrid working options, where possible
• Enhanced parental leave policies
• Group life assurance at 3x annual salary