Assistant Warden

Dorset Wildlife Trust; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset Wildlife Trust is seeking an enthusiastic Assistant Warden to join the North Dorset team. The role focuses on practical conservation and estate management across reserves, including Fontmell Down and Bracketts coppice, with opportunities to contribute to wildlife habitat projects in chalk downland, meadow, and woodland areas.

You will work within our Nature Recovery Team, collaborating with wardens and volunteers, using power tools and machinery, and taking initiative where needed.

Qualifications

• Experience in practical conservation management.
• Good knowledge of wildlife habitats in the Dorset area.
• Ability to work as part of a team and use own initiative.
• Experience with tools and machinery.
• Volunteer leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist in conservation and estate management tasks on North Dorset reserves.
• Work on Fontmell Down and Bracketts coppice sites.
• Support Reserves team across Dorset, occasional travel to other sites as needed.

Skills

Practical conservation

Wildlife habitats

Teamwork

Power tools

Volunteer leadership

Tools

Power tools

Machinery

Job description

Assistant Warden (North Dorset)

Closing date: Friday 30 October 2026 Salary: £25,760 Contract type: Permanent / Working hours: Full time Location: Dorset Wildlife Trust HQ, Brooklands Farm,Forston, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7AA

Does the idea of spending your time assisting in our work on the DWT reserves of North Dorset appeal to you? If so, this is just the job for you!

Dorset Wildlife Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and hardworking Assistant Warden to work within our Nature Recovery Team.

This is a great opportunity to get involved in a range of practical conservation and estate management tasks on some wonderful nature reserves across North Dorset, including the incredible spectacle of working on Fontmell Down or maybe the woodland of Bracketts coppice, as well as a host of other sites. You will be working a wide range of habitats, supporting wildlife in chalk downland, meadow and woodland habitats. There will also be occasional working on our other sites across the County as part of the combined Reserves team.

We are looking for someone with a broad range of experience in practical conservation management and a good knowledge of wildlife habitats, and yet with a willingness to learn. An ability to work as part of a team of wardens, but also under their own initiative is essential. The work will include use of power tools and machinery, and elements of volunteer leadership. Some knowledge of habitat and species relevant to the area will be useful. This post will be rewarding and enjoyable, fitting within a highly skilled and vibrant team.

The post is permanent, full time (35 hours) and will be based out of our HQ offices at Brooklands Farm near Dorchester.