Nature Conservation and Community Garden Officer

Purpose of Job

The Nature Conservation and Community Garden Officer will coordinate the use of the community garden at Grimwood Road and lead a weekly volunteer group in food growing, gardening and practical nature conservation tasks. The officer will engage members of the public in water-quality sampling in support of our Bazalgette Heritage Project; plan and run nature conservation volunteer sessions for young people, corporate volunteers and other community groups; and support the delivery of the Biodiversity Partnership Forums in Richmond and Kingston. The role combines practical site management, volunteer leadership, public engagement and partnership working.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

1. Coordinate the day-to-day use, upkeep and development of the community garden and office at 53 Grimwood Road, working with colleagues, volunteers and partner organisations.
2. Plan and lead a weekly volunteer group undertaking food growing, gardening and practical nature conservation tasks, including maintenance and upkeep of the green areas around the site.
3. Plan and deliver safe, inclusive nature conservation sessions for youth volunteers, corporate groups and other community organisations, including preparing risk assessments, providing health and safety briefings and supervising practical work.
4. Engage and support members of the public to take part in water-quality sampling for the Bazalgette Heritage Project, including volunteer recruitment, training, data recording and follow-up.
5. Support the organisation and delivery of the Biodiversity Partnership Forums in Richmond and Kingston, including liaison with partners, meeting preparation and follow-up actions.
6. Maintain accurate volunteer, monitoring and project records and contribute to reports, communications and evaluation.
7. Look after tools, equipment and materials, and support the safe and effective operation of the Grimwood Road site.
8. Work collaboratively across Habitats & Heritage, undertake relevant training and provide reasonable cover for colleagues when required.

Other requirements

• The role is primarily based at 53 Grimwood Road, Twickenham, with off-site work in parks, green spaces and community locations. It involves outdoor and practical work in varying weather conditions, occasional lone working, travel between sites and the safe handling of tools and equipment.
• Some evening and weekend work will be required.
• The postholder will also support wider activities that advance the mission of Habitats & Heritage, including communications and team events where appropriate.
• A clean driving licence.

This is a part-time, fixed-term role from mid-October 2026 to mid-May 2027, with the possibility of extension if funding allows.

The Charity – Habitats & Heritage

Habitats & Heritage is the local charity that acts for the natural and historic environment and climate in south and west London. We take care of our local landscape; its wildlife, ecosystems, heritage as well as fostering sustainable behaviours by:

• Using our local knowledge and experience to lead the way in protecting and creating a better and more sustainable environment for everyone.
• Working in partnership with others to raise awareness and address local environmental and heritage issues.
• Bringing people together to better understand, learn and connect with and enjoy their local environment and heritage.
• Empowering and mobilising communities to enhance and maintain the spaces they care about.
• Building better quality habitats and ecosystems for nature and wildlife to thrive.
• Encouraging accessibility and involvement to ensure everyone enjoys and experiences the positive health and wellbeing benefits from spending time in our natural and historic environment.

We are based in Twickenham and work across the London Boroughs of: Richmond; Hounslow; Kingston; Wandsworth; and Merton.