Reserves Assistant (Woods and Heaths)

Norfolk Wildlife Trust are seeking a Reserve Assistant in the Woods and Heaths Team.

Reserves Assistant (Woods and Heaths)
Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: Full time
Salary: £26,746 per annum, pro rata
Based: NWT Foxley Wood, Themelthorpe Road, Foxley, Dereham, NR20. Covering Woodland and Heath sites across Norfolk.

About us

Norfolk Wildlife Trust is the oldest Wildlife Trust in the country and Norfolk’s largest environmental charity, committed to the protection and enhancement of Norfolk’s wildlife and wild places.

About you and the role

The successful candidate will be based at the Mid Norfolk Foxley Wood work centre and will work as part of the NWT Woods & Heaths Reserves Management Team. They will work mainly at the following reserves and sites: Foxley Wood, Wayland Wood, Lower Wood Ashwellthorpe, Honeypot Wood, Thursford and Bretts Wood, Wood Norton, Hethel Old Thorn, Holt Lowes, Buxton Heath, Marsham Heath, Cawston Heath, Booton Common, Lolly Moor, Hoe Rough and Beetley Meadows, Sparham Pools, Scarning and Potters Fen, and Rush Meadows.

The successful candidate will carry out practical habitat management and maintenance work on Woodland and Heathland sites, but also including fens and grasslands as part of the Woods & Heaths team, and also be a part of the work of the wider NWT Nature Reserves Team.

The post is demanding, but presents the opportunity to work on some of the county’s most important wildlife sites, and develop valuable skills in the management of nature reserves and their visitors.

You will have a good working knowledge of wildlife conservation. Good communication skills are essential, both with colleagues and members of the public, as is the ability to work as part of a team in managing these busy sites. The successful candidate will already hold a chainsaw certificate (maintenance, crosscutting and felling small trees) and have an aptitude for practical tasks. They will be willing and able to be trained in the use of tractors, brushcutter, pesticide application and first aid. Experience of livestock management is also desirable.

The role has the advantage of working at some of the county’s most important wildlife sites, and the opportunity to gain experience in the management of nature reserves and their visitors. It is suitable for anyone with the appropriate experience wishing to pursue a full-time career in nature conservation, and the management of protected sites.

Additional information

The hours of work will normally be 8:00am to 4:00pm with half an hour for lunch. You will be expected to work occasional evenings and weekends for which reasonable time off in lieu will be granted.

In return we offer a large benefit package to our staff.

This role presents the opportunity to work on some of the county’s most important wildlife sites and enhance valuable skills in the development of nature reserves and their visitors. If you think you would be a good fit for Norfolk Wildlife Trust, we'd love to hear from you!

The closing date for applications is 5pm, Wednesday 25th November 2026.
Interviews are likely to take place in person on the w/c 7th December 2026.

Please note to avoid disappointment and to give your application the best chance, please submit it promptly, as we may close the post once enough suitable applications have been received.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We value respect, integrity, trust and responsibility. We want our people to be as diverse as nature itself and so we particularly encourage applications from those currently under-represented within our sector, including people from minority ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities. We welcome people of all backgrounds and levels of experience with nature, and continually strive to improve our culture and practices. We are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities. Please let us know if you require any adjustment processes to make our recruitment process more accessible.

No agencies please.