Conservation Trainee

DORSET WILDLIFE TRUST; Corfe Mullen; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vocational training and qualifications

Job summary

DORSET WILDLIFE TRUST is offering a 10-month traineeship focused on practical conservation across our nature reserves. This position is ideal for those seeking a career in environmental conservation.

The training includes a vocational qualification in machinery used in land management, supervised by experienced mentors. The programme starts in October 2026, requiring availability from Monday to Thursday, with occasional weekends.

Priority will be given to applicants from Dorset and nearby counties. Join us to make a difference in wildlife conservation!

Qualifications

• Interest in environmental conservation and wildlife management.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Some practical knowledge of conservation techniques is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Undertake practical conservation work across nature reserves.
• Work alongside experienced Reserves team with designated mentors.
• Participate in volunteer management and wildlife surveys.

Job description

The 10-month traineeship will undertake a programme of practical conservation across our nature reserves.

The traineeship will concentrate on our South and East Dorset nature reserves and be based in either our HQ in Forston, near Dorchester, or at the Urban Wildlife Centre in Corfe Mullen, dependent on successful candidates' residence.

Working alongside our experienced Reserves team with designated mentors, the traineeship will offer practical experience working in the conservation sector, including a training package with vocational qualifications in the use of selected machinery used in land management.

On completion of the programme, trainees will be experienced in a wide range of practical management techniques, volunteer management and wildlife surveys.

Commencing in early October 2026, our traineeships are an amazing opportunity for people wishing to pursue a career in environmental conservation. We have an excellent record of helping people into their first job in this sector.

Our traineeships are partly funded by NRS (Nuclear Restoration Services) and private donations, for which we are extremely grateful.

To meet funding requirements, and to help support local communities, priority will be given to applicants from Dorset and the surrounding counties.

The traineeship is a 10-month programme of 4 days per week, normally Monday–Thursday, which will be split between the South and East warden teams. There will be some requirement for weekend availability.