Job vacancies
Volunteer reserves assistants
Location: Cambourne, Cambridgeshire
Commitment: Five days per week (minimum of three) for six to nine months
Salary: None but travelling expenses are reimbursed
Volunteer reserves assistants (VRAs) work with the reserves staff, assisting with the practical tasks of habitat management and access improvements. Staff are based at the Cambourne office and work on nature reserves across Cambridgeshire.
The placement period covers typical aspects of seasonal projects on our wetland, woodland and grassland reserves. Ideally the VRA will commit to five days per week (minimum of three) for a six to nine month period. In return the VRA will gain valuable experience in practical management alongside the reserves staff, with the opportunity to attend in-house training workshops and externally certificated courses in first aid, brushcutter or chainsaw operation.
Applicants need to have an enthusiasm for conservation and a desire to get involved in the environmental sector. Good team working skills are essential as well as self motivation for individual projects. A good level of physical fitness is required as majority of tasks are of a practical nature.
VRAs participate in a variety of jobs including; woodland ride mowing and raking; scrub clearance and coppicing; plant surveys and invertebrate monitoring; and construction of boardwalks and stockproof fences.
VRAs gain experience in the practical skills involved with the management of the Trust's nature reserves. Past VRAs have a good employment rate on completion both with the local Wildlife Trust and other conservation organisations.
Applications for the VRA position should be made by CV and covering letter or email to aidan.matthews@wildlifebcnp.org or:
Aidan Matthews
The Wildlife Trust
The Manor House
Broad Street
Great Cambourne
Cambridgeshire
CB23 6DH