Assistant Warden (East Dorset)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Employer pension contributions

Staff benefits package

Job summary

Dorset Wildlife Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and hardworking Assistant Warden to work within our Nature Recovery Team across South and East Dorset reserves from heathland to woodland.

Based at the Urban Wildlife Centre, Corfe Mullen, the role requires teamwork, initiative and the ability to lead volunteers, with responsibilities including use of power tools and stock management in a hands-on conservation setting.

Qualifications

• Experience in practical conservation and estate management.
• Knowledge of wildlife habitats relevant to Dorset.
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to a range of sites.

Responsibilities

• Assist with practical conservation and estate management tasks.
• Work across multiple nature reserves in Dorset.
• Support wildlife habitats across heathland, limestone grassland, meadow and woodland.
• Lead volunteers and manage stock as required.

Skills

Teamwork

Initiative

Wildlife habitat knowledge

Health and safety

Volunteer leadership

Stock management

Power tools

Tools

Power tools

Machinery operation

Job description

Closing date: Sunday 13 September 2026

Salary: £25,760 plus employer pension contributions

Contract type: Permanent / Working hours: Full time

Location: DWT Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill Lane, Off Old Wareham Road, Corfe Mullen, Poole, Dorset, BH21 3RX

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 South and East Dorset, including Upton Heath, Sopley Common and Corfe Mullen Meadows. You will be working in a wide range of habitats, supporting wildlife on heathland, limestone grassland, meadow and woodland.

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, stock management 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 a full time, permanent position and will be based out of the Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill, Corfe Mullen and also occasionally working at other sites across Dorset.

Salary: £25,760 plus 5% employer contribution and 2% employee contribution pension scheme and staff benefits package.

Closing date for applications: 5pm on 13 September 2026.

Interviews to be held on 23 September 2026

Contact details

If you would like further information regarding this post please contact the Reserves Manager by email [e-mail].

To apply for this post, please download and complete an application, to be submitted to [e-mail]. Please note the deadline for applications is 5pm on 13 September 2026 with interviews at the Urban Wildlife Centre on 23 September for those selected.

To download the job description and application from, please click here