Conservation Trainee
Closing date:
Salary: £19,630 for 4 day (28 hour) week
Contract type: Fixed term / Working hours: Part time
Multiple locations:
Forston
, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7AA
Dorset Wildlife Trust are happy to announce the opportunity of a Dorset based traineeships.
The 10-month traineeship will undertake a programme of practical conservation across our nature reserves. The traineeship will concentrate on our South and East Dorset nature reserves and be based in either our HQ in Forston, near Dorchester or at the Urban Wildlife Centre in Corfe Mullen, dependant on successful candidates’ residence.
Working alongside our experienced Reserves team with designated mentors, the traineeship will offer practical experience working in the conservation sector. This includes a training package including vocational qualifications in use of selected machinery used in land management.
On completion of the programme, trainees are experienced in a wide range of practical management techniques, volunteer management and wildlife surveys.
Commencing in early October 2026 our traineeships are an amazing opportunity for people wishing to pursue a career in environmental conservation. We have an excellent record of helping people into their first job in this sector.
Our traineeships are partly funded by NRS (Nuclear Restoration Services) and private donations, for which we are extremely grateful. To meet funding requirements, and to help support local communities, priority will be given to applicants from Dorset and the surrounding counties.
The traineeship is a 10-month programme of 4 days per week, normally Monday – Thursday which will be split between the South & East warden teams. There will be some requirement for weekend availability.
The 10-month traineeship will undertake a programme of practical conservation across our nature reserves. The traineeship will concentrate on our South and East Dorset nature reserves and be based in either our HQ in Forston, near Dorchester or at the Urban Wildlife Centre in Corfe Mullen, dependant on successful candidates’ residence.
Working alongside our experienced Reserves team with designated mentors, the traineeship will offer practical experience working in the conservation sector. This includes a training package including vocational qualifications in use of selected machinery used in land management.
On completion of the programme, trainees are experienced in a wide range of practical management techniques, volunteer management and wildlife surveys.
Commencing in early October 2026 our traineeships are an amazing opportunity for people wishing to pursue a career in environmental conservation. We have an excellent record of helping people into their first job in this sector.
Our traineeships are partly funded by NRS (Nuclear Restoration Services) and private donations, for which we are extremely grateful. To meet funding requirements, and to help support local communities, priority will be given to applicants from Dorset and the surrounding counties.
The traineeship is a 10-month programme of 4 days per week, normally Monday – Thursday which will be split between the South & East warden teams. There will be some requirement for weekend availability.
Contact details
To apply for this role, please submit a completed Dorset Wildlife Trust application form (click the relevant link to download). Please note that CV submissions will not be accepted. Completed submissions should be sent to recruitment@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk . You can expect an acknowledgement of receipt, and you will be updated on sifting outcomes directly by email.
If you require further information regarding this vacancy or have any difficulty in accessing the files, please contact the Reserves Manager on 01305 264620 or by email at ljohns@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
The deadline for completed applications is 5pm on 09 August 2026.
Interviews to be held in w/c 17 August at our Brooklands Farm HQ with an option for second interviews if required.
Job reference: Trainee2026
Job Description
- Trainee Job Description (273.71 KB)
Application form
- Application Trainee (55.7 KB)