Conservation and Wildlife Officer

The Woodland Trust is looking for an experienced Conservation and Wildlife Officer to join the Snaizeholme Project team, supporting the conservation and long-term management of the Snaizeholme Estate. The role will focus on conservation-led wildlife management, including protecting and enhancing local Red Squirrel populations, habitat and species monitoring, and delivering practical land management across a diverse landscape. Working closely with landowners, partners, volunteers and local communities, the successful candidate will combine strong ecological knowledge with excellent communication and public engagement skills to help create a thriving, resilient landscape for wildlife and people.

A company vehicle will be provided for this role. Please note that out Company Vehicle Policy is also under review as part of our Job Families and Contract Review project, so the eligibility criteria therein are subject to change in due course.

For recruitment purposes this position is advertised as Conservation and Wildlife Officer to reflect the nature of the work. The successful candidate’s formal title will be Wildlife Manager – Snaizeholme.

The Role:

• Coordinate stakeholders across the Northern Dales to deliver joined-up, evidence-led wildlife management, with a focus on Grey Squirrel control to support Red Squirrel populations.
• Lead ecological surveys and monitoring to inform habitat management, including grazing impacts, vegetation change, bird activity, ground-nesting productivity and invasive species.
• Produce reports and contribute to conservation research in collaboration with colleagues, agencies and external partners.
• Manage and support wildlife contractors, volunteers and controllers, delivering evidence-based squirrel and deer management across the estate and wider landscape.
• Support delivery of the Snaizeholme Estate project, providing specialist input into woodland, peatland, wetland and farmed habitat management.
• Deliver public engagement through presentations, events, site visits and volunteer coordination, ensuring safe and effective conservation activities.
• Ensure wildlife management complies with best practice, environmental legislation and regional/national partnership frameworks.
• Maintain accurate survey and management records using IT/GIS systems, support health and safety compliance, and provide training and guidance where needed.
• This is a homebased role, requiring regular travel to locations within the Snaizeholme landscape and wider area, sometimes to remote locations. You would be expected to live within reasonable travelling distance of your area of responsibility. Occasional travel to regional offices and overnight stays will be required.

The Candidate:

• Experience assessing, monitoring, and managing wildlife and habitats to deliver conservation objectives, particularly in upland environments.
• Skilled in wildlife and habitat surveying, species identification, and practical conservation management.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building experience with farmers, land managers, ENGOs, local authorities, volunteers, and community groups.
• Confident in public engagement, including presentations, guided walks, and volunteer coordination.
• Knowledge of conservation-led wildlife management, habitat survey methodologies, and upland land-use practices.
• Competent in Health & Safety management, including lone working, risk assessments, and working in challenging terrain/weather conditions.
• Proficient in IT, data management, record keeping, and GIS software.
• Qualified with a relevant environmental/ecology/land management degree (or equivalent experience), full UK driving licence, and willingness to complete specialist training/certifications including Grey Squirrel Management and DSC Level 1 if not already held.

Benefits and Wellbeing:

Joining our team means you’ll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:

• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
• Generous Annual Leave – 25 Days Plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d for part-time)
• Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme
• Enhanced Parental Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme

About Us:

The Woodland Trust is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity. We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees.

People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.

Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application.

Application Advice:

For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, and we do not ask for your CV at application.

Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role. Even if you don’t meet every requirement of the role, we would encourage you to apply.

Acceptable Use – Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools. If you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected]

Apply Now:

If you’re ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it’s a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete. For queries relating to this new opportunity please email [email protected]

Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams on 9th & 10th July.