Conservation Technician

ShaftesburyGroupUK; Guildford; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits in a unique educational environment focused on Horticulture and Conservation. As a Conservation Technician, you will play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of outdoor enterprise activities, working closely with students and staff. This role offers the chance to engage with nature while supporting the learning of young people with disabilities. Join a dedicated team committed to fostering inclusion and providing professional development opportunities in a supportive atmosphere. If you are passionate about the outdoors and education, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Collaborative working environment

Access to great facilities and resources

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in Conservation or Horticulture required.
• Experience in maintaining health and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Conservation Horticulture enterprise areas.
• Maintain records for health & safety compliance.
• Inspect grounds for health and safety concerns.

Skills

Horticulture

Conservation

Health and Safety Compliance

Communication

Education

Qualification in Conservation

Qualification in Horticulture

Job description

Date: 2 May 2025

Job Title: Conservation Technician (Cultivate)

Unit/Directorate: Millie College Enterprise Team

Reports To: Enterprise Cultivate Lead

Hours: Full time, 37.5hrs 52 weeks per year (including weekend working)

(Part time working options considered)

Salary: £23,400 FTE (£12 p/hr)

Location: Based at Millie College located at Holton Lee, Poole

An exciting opportunity has now arisen for an enthusiastic and experienced individual to join the Shaftesbury Millie College Enterprise team as an Enterprise Technician within the Cultivate team. This team focuses primarily on the outdoor Enterprises areas, including Horticulture and Conservation. The two areas work closely together, aligning curriculum areas with the natural environment.

Shaftesbury Millie College is a post 16-25 education setting helping young people with a range of learning and physical disabilities in Dorset and the local area, bridging the gap between education and employment. It is a one-of-a-kind work environment, set on a 350-acre countryside site near Poole. The college’s curriculum is directly aligned to its natural environment and the enterprise activities that operate there, including creative crafts, catering and retail, conservation, horticulture and animal care.

As Conservation Technician, part of the Enterprise Cultivate Team, you will be responsible for ensuring the smooth running of Conservation Horticulture Enterprise activities on site. You will work directly with the Horticulture Technicians and liaising with the education team, operating and maintaining clean, safe and accessible learning environments. These areas include our wonderful plant nursery, consisting of greenhouse and polytunnels, as well as our extensive kitchen gardens and food forest. The conservation areas on site cover a variety of habitats including woodlands, wetlands and heathland on the 350-acre nature reserve. There are also designated conservation areas for learning and development around the site which include ponds, a forest school, bird hides, the cabin workshop and the accessible conservation paddock.

The successful candidate will be a dedicated, enthusiastic, self-motivated person with a passion for the outdoors, as well as supporting the learning of students during sessions in our unique college environment. You will need to be confident in Horticulture and Conservation Enterprise areas and take responsibility for identifying any areas of learning and growth within your role.

This role requires a calm working approach, the ability to multi-task and be responsive to change, flexibility and commitment as weekend work will be required on a Rota basis. Part-time working patterns are available for this role, to be discussed with potential candidates.

Main Duties

• Have a flexible oversight of each of the Conservation Horticulture enterprise areas across Shaftesbury Millie College
• Maintaining records for health & safety and compliance.
• Regularly inspect the grounds and Horticulture/Conservation structures for any health and safety concerns and ensure that they are maintained to a high standard at all times.
• Consistent communication with Enterprise managers to ensure effective enterprise delivery.
• Identifying any repairs or replacements of broken equipment and fencing, ensuring routine checks are in place.
• Be responsible for alerting the Maintenance Team in cases of site or buildings damage and any need for removal by contractors.
• Support on the ordering of materials and equipment for the Enterprise operation.
• To undertake any other duties which may be required
• To comply with all relevant Health and Safety procedures.
• To be prepared to work out of hours as/if necessary and regular weekend work as directed and agreed with your line manager.
• To be prepared to work at other local sites.
• To agree to work to all existing and future Shaftesbury / School policies.
• To maintain the Christian aims of Shaftesbury.
• Support in College events and Open Days as required.
• Support in capturing information, progress and good news stories for our College newsletters and social media outlets.
  
  

What We Offer

• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
• Access to great facilities and resources.
  
  

Expectations

• To hold a relevant qualification in Conservation or Horticulture or an appropriate level of experience to carry out the role.
• To have due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people
• To follow the safeguarding procedures adopted by Shaftesbury and within the college policies.
• To work within the framework of the mission statements, aims, policies and procedures of the college and Shaftesbury and to support the Christian objectives of the organisation.
• To be committed to the development of opportunities for inclusion for all students attending the college and to promote equality of opportunity and cultural diversity.
• To accept a personal commitment to the responsibility for the education, care and development of all students attending the college.
• To promote and develop a team approach across all professional disciplines to the college's work.
• To be a role model for staff and students in all aspects of personal and professional conduct and by exemplifying the Code of Conduct of Shaftesbury.
  
  

Commitment to Safeguarding

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Shaftesbury Millie College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and staff. It is the responsibility of all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check and will follow our rigorous safer recruitment processes.

Shaftesbury Millie College strives to be a diverse and inclusive community and welcomes applications from people from all backgrounds.

Application Process

Job Description and Application Form on request – please contact Cenan Chappell, [e-mail]

• Closing date: Sunday 1st June 2025 - 4:00pm
• Interview Dates: W/C 2nd June 2025
  
  

Early applications are strongly encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the advert should we feel able to interview and appoint an appropriate candidate before the above dates.

Visits to the setting are welcomed, and encouraged, by arrangement. For further information or if you have any questions, contact: [e-mail]