Reserves Trainee

What sorts of tasks and activities will I be doing?

You will assist the Assistant Reserves Officer & Reserves Officer to maintain and care for our beautiful nature reserves by carrying out practical work and leading on volunteer parties across Radnorshire. Your work will be varied from carrying out practical management of a range of habitats across our nature reserves, which include beautiful woodland, wetland, grasslands etc. Gilfach Nature Reserve is also a busy site, seeing thousands of visitors every summer, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable experience of public engagement, an essential skill in modern conservation work.

Who will I be volunteering with?

You will be part of a dynamic and motivated team, with opportunities to work with our current staff of 20. RWT has recently trebled in size and has several exciting projects running. We have a history of training and developing staff through our seasonal posts.

You will report to a dedicated mentor, who will support you, monitor your progress and help with personal development throughout your placement.

Where will I be based?

You will be based at Gilfach Nature Reserve, but will also travel to our nature reserves within Radnorshire, on a weekly basis. Travel from Gilfach to other reserves can be arranged in advance.

How much time will be expected to give?

You will have to be available for 2 days a week for 6 months. The days you will need to commit to are Tuesday and Thursday. On a normal day you will start at 9:00 and finish at 5:00, although this might vary sometimes.

Some evening and weekend work will be required, and a ‘time-off-in-lieu’ system will be used to cover this.

What’s in for me?

If you’re enthusiastic, energetic, and determined to get into a paid role in practical conservation this could be a perfect first step for you.

You will benefit from a substantial amount of training and plenty of active experience, learning from our experienced, professional employees and volunteers how and why we do things.

Our training programme is specifically geared to giving you a wide range of employer-valued skills, depending on availability and what is best suited to your career plans.

• Personal training budget (£200) to attend external courses approved by your mentor (e.g. First Aid)
• Learn and gain experience in nature conservation work, habitat management and sustainability.
• Develop new skills and knowledge on tool use and maintenance.
• Learn and gain experience in working with and leading volunteers.
• Improve species identification skills and learn how to undertake a variety of wildlife and habitat surveys.
• Learn about community organising.
• Gain experience in digital marketing, campaigns, and advocacy.
• Develop good IT skills.
• Learn about the wildlife and ecology of Radnorshire and Wales.

Your development and the type of experience you gain will be led by you.

On top of that, you’ll benefit from being in dynamic and motivated team, meeting other trainees, employees, and volunteers. You’ll get to see how a conservation organisation works, giving you the chance to build a network of contacts and develop communication and team-working skills that are so important to your future career.

Will I be able to claim expenses?

We can only cover maximum of £100/ month of the mileage claims from your office base to other sites to work. Mileage claims will be paid at the volunteer rate, which is 30p per mile.

What skills, experience and attributes do I need?

What’s most important is that you should have a desire to get involved and learn all you can.

You’ll need to have a keen interest in UK wildlife conservation, a good level of physical fitness, and be willing to supervise volunteers. Relevant volunteering or work experience is desirable.

The lists below gives some more details about the experience and skills we are looking for.

Essential

• Enthusiasm for outdoor work and nature
• Have good communication skills, both written and oral.
• Be confident talking to people from different backgrounds
• Have the ability to work on their own initiative as well as co-operate as part of a team.
• Be approachable, friendly and behave appropriately when dealing with members of the public and stakeholders.
• Mature/ flexible approach to work
• A willingness to learn, develop and undertake training
• Willingness to work outdoors on a range of sites and locations, in all-weather
• Ability to plan and organise time, to be punctual and reliable.
• A good level of physical fitness & strength

Desirable

• Previous experience in volunteering, practical work or working with young people and communities
• Familiarity with safe working practices.
• Ability to speak Welsh
• Be computer literate – proficient in Word/Excel/Publisher/Outlook & social media
• Knowledge of wildlife present in Radnorshire
• Have knowledge of the Wildlife Trust movement

Other information

Unfortunately for this traineeship we are unable to provide accommodation.

All trainees will be asked for at least one reference, but two would be preferable.

Personal Protective Equipment will be supplied dependant on training and tasks undertaken.