Tees-Swale Farming and Nature Trainee

Would you like to gain experience and benefit from opportunities in one of the most beautiful
parts of the country? If so, we have a fantastic opportunity to join us as a Farming and Nature
Trainee for the Tees-Swale; naturally connected programme.

Tees-Swale: Naturally Connected is an exciting programme of farming, nature and engagement work
in and around Teesdale and Swaledale. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project
is a partnership between the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and the North Pennines
National Landscape (previously known as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) Partnership and
aims to work with farmers to restore and improve habitats, whilst engaging wider communities in
these special landscapes.

Part of this project includes creating trainee opportunities. You will be paid a good wage from
a traineeship that helps the environment and learn loads of skills to boost your CV. There’ll
also be opportunities to learn about potential careers in the natural environment and connect
with the other trainees working on the project and across the National Park and wider partners.

This is a unique opportunity to try something new, and to take a first step on a career path
where you can make a real difference. The natural environment needs you!

We hope you will join us on this exciting journey!

About Us

We are an organisation that protects, enhances and promotes the immense beauty, wildlife and
character of the Yorkshire Dales. Set against expansive heather moorland tops, each valley has
its own distinct charm, from crags and waterfalls to an underground labyrinth of caves.

Our core values underpin the way in which we deliver our work, these are: striving for
improvement, being accountable for our actions, committing to doing what we say we will do,
operating with integrity, being open and approachable and valuing and empowering people.

The Benefits

• Salary of £22,737 per annum
• Flexible working arrangements
• Employee discounts on various goods and services
• Free parking
• Generous leave entitlement, starting at 26 days plus bank holidays

The Role

The role is full-time (37 hours per week), temporary until 5 May 2025, and is based at our
Bainbridge office near Leyburn.

You will work as part of the Tees-Swale: Naturally Connected Programme to help deliver a varied
and ground-breaking selection of wildlife and nature projects, including upland hay meadow
restoration, woodland creation and many more!

About you

You must enjoy being outdoors in all weathers and have a keen interest in nature conservation
with a desire to further develop relevant skills and knowledge.

You will need to be a supportive team member and have a professional can-do attitude, with the
ability to effectively collect data and present the data to a variety of audiences.

The role requires regular travel to sites around the National Park, so you will need access to
a vehicle, or access to a means of mobility support is required. If driving you must have a
current valid driving licence and appropriate insurance.

You will be required to undertake a criminal records (DBS) check as part of the recruitment
process.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage applicants from all
backgrounds to apply and join us.

We are a Disability Confident employer and guarantee to interview anyone with a disability
whose application meets the essential criteria for the role.

We will be holding an online question and answer session on Tuesday 13 February 2024 from 6-7pm
where you can speak to the team including the 2023/24 trainees and hear more about the role. If
you are interested in attending this session, please email Claire Hodgson, Tees-Swale Programme
Manager at [email protected] and you
will be sent joining instructions.

We’ll contact you to let you know whether you have been shortlisted.

We expect the interview will take place week commencing 18 March 2024. We’ll
reimburse reasonable travelling expenses for candidates attending.

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact Adrian Shepherd,
Head of Land Management at: [email protected]