Team Leader – Wildlife Warden

Team Leader – Wildlife Warden: South East Devon Habitat Regulations Partnership
£36,363 per annum
Based at Blackdown House, Honiton with travel throughout the district
Full Time & Permanent (37 hours per week, including 2 weekends/month)

Protect Wildlife. Lead a Skilled Team. Make a Real Impact.

South East Devon Wildlife is a partnership between East Devon, Exeter City and Teignbridge Councils, working with Natural England to protect internationally important sites across the Exe Estuary, Dawlish Warren and the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths. We’re looking for an exceptional Team Leader to guide our Wildlife Warden team and help safeguard these special places for the future.

About the role

This is a hands-on leadership role combining frontline warden work with day-to-day team management.

You’ll:

• Maintain a visible, authoritative presence across protected sites, engaging visitors to raise awareness of their nature conservation importance and encouraging responsible behaviour.
• Confidently initiate conversations with site users and apply polite, assertive communication.
• Lead, support and develop a team of 3 Wildlife Wardens, setting standards, supporting effective delivery and ensuring consistent, high-quality practice across sites.
• Collect and interpret evidence on recreation, wildlife impacts and mitigation, helping to shape operational decisions.
• Oversee rotas, absence, wellbeing and performance, with support from the Habitat Regulations Delivery Manager and HR.
• Work collaboratively with partners including Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust, RSPB and the Exe Estuary Management Partnership.

This role includes weekend and occasional bank holiday working to support peak visitor periods. You’ll also take part in operational duties, including patrol boat work on the Exe Estuary (training provided).

About you

You’ll bring:

• A strong interest in wildlife and conservation, with an excellent understanding of countryside management.
• At least two years’ experience supervising or managing staff, ideally in conservation, countryside or an operational setting.
• A confident, adaptable communication style, able to engage with everyone from visitors and volunteers to partners and senior managers.
• The resilience, emotional intelligence and authority needed to lead an experienced team.
• A relevant degree (or equivalent) in a relevant environmental subject, and a full driving licence.

This role is perfect for someone who thrives in both leadership and hands-on fieldwork—not for those seeking a purely office-based or purely outdoor role.

For more about working for East Devon District Council visit https://eastdevon.gov.uk/careers/working-at-eddc

For an informal discussion about the position, please contact Neil Harris, Habitat Regulations Delivery Manager, on 07890 626 291 or email [email protected]

Closing date: Wednesday 25th February 2026

Interviews w/c 16th March 2026