Job Description
Job Title:
Peatland Restoration Trainee
Weekly Hours:
35 hours per week.
Based At:
Plumgarths, Kendal
Reports To:
Senior Conservation Officer
Job Purpose:
To receive training in the identification, mapping and delivery of upland peatland restoration through a
programme of formal training and direct practical experience.
Special Features of the Role:
Well managed and intact peatland soils provide society and Cumbria with a host of ecosystem services
from water purification, carbon storage and sequestration to unique wildlife and flood alleviation.
Conversely, poorly managed and damaged soils pollute water, release CO2 into the atmosphere and
increase the speed of water runoff, increasing peak floods.
At present many of the Lake District’s estimated 90,000 hectares of peat soils are in a damaged state.
In recognition of this 2014 saw the formation of the Cumbria Peat Partnership. The Cumbria Peat
Partnership (CPP) is a practical delivery group, made up of 14 organisations from across Cumbria. It
brings stakeholders together to share knowledge, develop best practice and actively support the
restoration, stewardship and long-term future of the wide range of valuable peat habitats in Cumbria.
Undertaking peatland restoration requires a number of specialist skills. There have been growing
concerns within the conservation sector that, at a time when arguably the demand for ecological skills
and knowledge has never been greater, those exact same and now critical skills are in decline. A report
of research commissioned by the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM),
‘Ecological Skills: Shaping the profession for the 21st century’1, has produced detailed evidence that
ecological skills in the UK are in such short supply that, if they are neglected further, they could seriously
undermine our capacity to deliver environmental gains. The skills and knowledge they highlight as being
in short supply are skills that are vital for us when considering the successful restoration of peatlands.
These include:

Species identification skills, particularly in respect of: lower plants, lichens, algae and fungi

Habitat creation, restoration and management in marine, coastal and upland environments

Environmental economics, including understanding of ecosystem goods and services
Newly graduated students are prevented from finding work in the sector because of a lack of these
skills, and employers are finding it difficult to find employees suitable to deliver peatland restoration. In
recognition of this, Cumbria Peat Partnership is running a Peatland Restoration Graduate Trainee
scheme. This scheme seeks to employ a newly graduated student and train them in the specific skill set
required to assess, monitor, map and deliver peatland restoration in the uplands. At present we have
funding to recruit one trainee based with Cumbria Wildlife Trust (CWT) in Kendal.
1
The full research report can be downloaded at www.ieem.net
Main Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
The Trainee will undertake a structured training programme in order to equip them with all the skills
required to undertake peatland restoration. The training will be delivered by both external contractors
and the current Peatland Officer and will focus on:

Plant identification, including sphagnum

Peatland plant community ecology and key indicator species for condition monitoring

Identification and mapping of peatland erosion features

Peatland restoration techniques – theory and practice

The economics of upland Cumbria.
The Trainee will be a recently graduated student with an appropriate environmental degree seeking
work within the nature conservation sector. They will have a solid grounding in upland ecology and a
basic understanding of plant anatomy. The role will last for 1 year.
Any additional duties as outlined in the Annual Work Plan
Any other duties that may reasonably arise from time to time
All tasks and responsibilities to be carried out in accordance with the Trust's policies and procedures.
What are you likely to experience whilst undertaking this role?
The structure of the role will take into account the successful candidate’s experience and interests, as
well as availability of suitable projects and training courses.
July - October
The successful candidate will spend the first few months of the role developing the skills required to
undertake peatland restoration. During this period you will be taught essential skills through a series of
structured courses, self-learning and direct, in the field, experience. These skills include:

Peatland plant identification

Peatland Ecology

Identification of erosion features both remotely (GIS) and on the ground

Mapping of erosion features in the field using a mobile mapping device

Writing management and restoration plans

Peatland Restoration techniques.

Peatland Code survey and carbon brokering.
You will attend the Cumbria Peat Partnership meeting on September 7th to meet partners.
November – May
This period will see you focus upon an individual project. There will be plenty of opportunity to work
alongside the Peatland Restoration Officer in delivering restoration at a lowland raised mire and upland
blanket bog site.
Having developed the necessary skills, you will undertake the mapping of Great Moss restoration site
(Scafell) with a view of writing detailed management plans for inclusion in a funding bid to be submitted
in February 2016. This will require you to liaise with a number of stakeholders as well as contacting
contractors to get quotes for works. There will also be the opportunity to work closely alongside the
Senior Conservation Officer in preparing and writing a funding bid for its restoration. Post February you
will undertake surveys at a number of other sites throughout the area.
In addition you will have the opportunity to get involved in a host of projects currently being delivered
within the busy Wider Countryside department with particular emphasis being placed on developing your
all round botanical skills alongside some of the county’s best botanists.
April - June
You will be given the opportunity to broaden your experience by working with the Cumbria Peat
Partnership members. These include:





Environment Agency
Natural England
National Trust
Lake District National Park
United Utilities.
The experiences offered will be structured around your particular interests.
Date: March 2015