Assistant Reserves Officer (East Berks)

BBOWT; Maidenhead; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Flexible working

Pension scheme

Mental Health support

Cycle scheme

Electric Vehicle scheme

Staff networks

Job summary

BBOWT is seeking an Assistant Reserves Officer for East Berkshire to manage multiple nature reserves, working with volunteers and contractors on practical conservation tasks at Woolley Firs, Maidenhead.

The role involves leading a Mid-Week volunteer team and coordinating a volunteer/work party leader to deliver habitat management across 16 reserves.

Qualifications

• Practical conservation management using hand and power tools.
• Experience supervising teams or volunteers is desirable.
• Experience and competence working with livestock.
• Able to work with minimal supervision and show initiative.

Responsibilities

• Practical conservation and estate management on 16 reserves.
• Organise and lead the Mid-Week volunteer team.
• Manage a key volunteer/work party leader.
• Handle livestock and assist with livestock management and transport.
• Oversee workshop facilities; ensure tools/equipment are maintained and safe.

Skills

Practical conservation

Hand tools

Power tools

Livestock experience

Supervisory skills

Job description

Assistant Reserves Officer (East Berks)

Closing date: Sunday 1 November 2026 Salary: £25,213 per annum Contract type: Permanent / Working hours: Full time Location: Woolley Firs Environmental Education Centre, Cherry Garden Lane, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 3LJ

The Assistant Reserves Officer will help nature recover by managing a number of important nature reserves in East Berkshire. They will work with roving and site-based volunteer teams and contractors to implement a range of practical works.

The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust has a vision for “more nature everywhere, for everyone”. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. This includes you being comfortable bringing your whole self to work, and us co-working with the diverse communities we serve to ensure we are meeting everyone’s needs.

The Assistant Reserves Officer will help nature recover by managing a number of important nature reserves in East Berkshire. They will work with roving and site-based volunteer teams and contractors to implement a range of practical works.

The Assistant Reserves Officer will work within a friendly, capable and enthusiastic team, including two reserves officers, a Land Manager and an experienced team of volunteers. You will help to implement all aspects of management of the Trust’s nature reserves in Berkshire.

What you’ll be doing:

• Practical conservation and estate management work on 16 reserves
• Organising and leading the Mid-Week volunteer team
• Managing a key volunteer/work party leader
• Handling livestock and assisting with livestock management and transport
• Managing the workshop facility, and ensuring all tools and equipment are maintained and safe to use

What we’re looking for:

• Practical conservation management experience using hand tools, power tools and machinery
• An ability to work with a minimum of supervision and show high levels of initiative
• Supervisory skills and experience
• Experience and competence working with livestock

This post will be DBS checked at basic level. A criminal conviction will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position. BBOWT will not unfairly discriminate on the basis of criminal convictions. BBOWT’s policy regarding this matter and the Disclosure and Barring Service Code of Practice are available on request.

For all your hard work you can expect a great rewards package in return. In addition to being part of a friendly, skilled and knowledgeable team, passionate about making a difference, when you work for us, you’ll also receive

• Generous annual leave entitlement with paid birthday leave, balance days, urgent personal business leave and generous occupational sick pay
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and family-friendly policies
• Flexible working to achieve work-life balance
• Salary exchange pension with generous employer contribution
• Wellbeing initiatives including qualified Mental Health First Aiders, YuLife benefit package - access to immediate and confidential help for any work, health, or life matters; 3x life assurance, online GP access, discounts and trade YuCoin points for gift cards
• Salary sacrifice Cycle scheme & Electric Vehicle scheme
• Membership to BBOWT’s, and The Wildlife Trusts’, Staff Network Groups for social interaction, peer support, mentoring and personal development