Countryside Worker Apprentice

Overview

Are you keen to start your conservation career? Join our team on our Countryside Worker Apprenticeship!

• Fixed Term contract for 16 months due to start in September 2024
• Apprentice salary of £12,480 per annum, which equates to circa £6.40 per hour. After one year’s service your salary will increase to the adult National Minimum Wage, currently £22,308 per annum (£11.44 per hour), for the remainder of the contract.
• Excellent benefits – including life assurance and a health cash plan, see the full list below.
• Your new place of work is in a beautiful location, be surrounded by nature on your lunchbreak.

What you’ll be doing

This opportunity allows you to study and work towards a Level 2 Countryside Worker apprenticeship qualification. Alongside your studies you will assist our National Nature Reserve Ranger with the day-to-day management and conservation of Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve and centre grounds.

It will involve on and off the job training, professional development, and assessment, with 20% of your time being allocated to study and practical development.  You will also undertake two weeks of training with our apprenticeship training provider, Bridgwater & Taunton College, at their Cannington Campus.

What experience will you gain?

• Experience working on a nationally important National Nature Reserve
• Learn practical skills and undertake habitat management and conservation activities within woodland, wetland, and coastal ecosystems.
• Conserve and manage wildlife and habitats in line with our 10-year management plan.
• Be able to support with the delivery of community and education activities, including conservation walks, talks and practical tasks
• Assist with the supervision of volunteers working within the Reserve and wider estate.

Where you’ll be based

Field Studies Council Slapton is located within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty close to Field Sites in Dartmoor National Park. We maintain two residential centres (Slapton Ley and Start Bay) in the coastal village of Slapton, as well as Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve.

Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve (NNR) has both national and regional importance and

attracts many thousands of visitors each year for its wildlife, educational opportunities, amenity and stunning landscape setting within the South Devon National Landscape.

Follow this link to find out more about the reserve and our management plan.

Who we’re looking for

Experience is not necessary. We just need you to have enthusiasm for the countryside and environment, and a positive approach to working outdoors and undertaking practical tasks in all weathers.

In addition you will have:

• A great work ethic where aptitude and attitude are key
• A natural pride in the work you produce
• A flexible and adaptive approach able to perform using your own initiative both independently and as a team player
• A professional manner in all that you do
• An empathy with the aims and objectives of Field Studies Council
• A committed and proactive approach to personal development; motivated to learn new skills and overcome new challenges

* Your benefits whilst working with us will include:

• Holidays – 28 days + bank holidays
• Pension
• Sick Pay
• 24hr Counselling Helpline Service
• Life Assurance
• Health Cash Plan
• Training & Development

Does this sound like something you would love to do? Come and be part of the team! We look forward to your application.

If you have any queries regarding this vacancy, please call Kieran Shaw-Flach (NNR Ranger) on 07815765502.

The closing date for receipt of your completed application is 7 July 2024.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we’re in receipt of sufficient applications. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Interviews are scheduled to take place at Field Studies Council Slapton in the week commencing 14 July 2024

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by email.