Conservation Assistant

Lowther Castle; Penrith; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Discounts across Lowther group

Job summary

Lowther Castle is seeking a Conservation Assistant to join the team at Lowther Estate, Cumbria. You will work mainly with the Conservation Manager and Ecologist on a wide range of practical nature conservation tasks, outdoors in all weathers.

The role is permanent/full-time, 40 hours per week, with weekend rota. Be prepared for physical tasks, beekeeping some days, and occasional cattle work; a full driving licence is required.

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence is required.
• Experience in conservation, horticulture, farming, forestry, or other outdoor roles is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist Conservation Manager and Ecologist with a wide variety of practical tasks.
• Carry out nature conservation work across the estate, including planting trees and habitat restoration.
• Repair fences and help move cattle as needed.
• Check mink traps and propagate wildflower plug plants in the on-site nursery.
• On occasion, participate in beekeeping activities with Lake District Honey Company.

Skills

Full UK driving licence

Outdoor practical experience

Willingness to work outside

Job description

Job title: Conservation Assistant

Location: Lowther Estate, Cumbria

Type: Permanent/ full time

Hours: 40 hours weekly (Monday to Friday) plus weekend work as part of a rota (two half days worked over one weekend in every four weekends)

Salary: £29,000 – £31,000 PA DOE

Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, pension scheme, various discounts across the Lowther group.

Closing date: Applications are due by the 27th November. Interviews will be scheduled for the week beginning 7th December. This role is expected to start in January 2027.

Since 2019 the Lowther Estate has been embarking on an ambitious new course to restore natural processes, lost habitats and recover species across the estate. We’ve built up a herd of hardy English longhorn cattle, planted thousands of new trees, restored rivers, streams & flower rich meadows, and are working towards reintroducing lost species such as beavers, harvest mice, glow worms & water voles.

We are looking for the right person to join us for the next chapter of nature conservation work, taking place across the estate. You will mainly work alongside the Conservation Manager & Ecologist assisting with a wide variety of practical tasks. You must be willing to work outside in all weathers, bring practical skills to the team and get stuck in with anything. One day you might be planting trees with our volunteer group, repairing a fence and helping to move cattle, another day you could be checking mink traps and propagating wildflower plug plants in our on-site nursery.

Although the role is primarily focussed on nature conservation you will have the opportunity to work with the Lake District Honey Company on an ad-hoc basis, getting involved with our commercial beekeeping operations when extra hands are needed.

The work is practical and varied. It is ideal for someone that is self-motivated with a passion for restoring nature. Please note that this role will be physically demanding at times, e.g. when beekeeping it will occasionally involve lifting heavy boxes.

Essential:

• Full UK driving licence
• Some previous experience in either conservation, horticulture, farming, forestry, or another practical outdoor role

Desirable:

• Experience of growing plants/ horticulture
• Happy working with animals
• Experience of off-road driving
• Used to driving a quad bike or tractor
• Experience of working with volunteers
• Experience of fencing/ dry-stone walling