Heritage Lottery Funds Skills for the Future
Marine and Coastal Heritage Programme
a partnership project with
2016 Application Pack
This application pack has been designed to provide you with information to help you to apply for a
Trainee Marine & Coastal Conservation Officer position based with Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
In this pack you will find the following:
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Background Information on the Marine & Coastal Heritage Programme
Information on the role of Trainee Marine & Coastal Conservation Officer
The person specification for the Trainee Marine & Coastal Conservation Officer
Conditions of the training placement
How to apply and what the selection process will be
We hope that you find the information provided interesting and useful and we look forward to receiving
your application.
There is more available at www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk and www.irishsea.org
Background Information
Funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund enables Cumbria Wildlife Trust, in conjunction with the Wildlife Trust for
Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, and the North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation
Authority (NWIFCA), to provide placements for 16 trainees on The Marine and Coastal Heritage Programme
between 2014 and 2017.
Cumbria Wildlife Trust has been delivering and supporting work-based training for many years; during 2011 to
2014, the Trust ran the Marine Graduate Training Programme, which saw 12 graduates successfully complete
their training programme and secure roles within the marine conservation sector. Following the success of the
Marine Graduate Training Programme, The Marine and Coastal Heritage Programme commenced in 2014 and
will run until January 2017; this programme offers 9 month traineeships to highly motivated individuals with an
interest in marine conservation and community engagement, and an enthusiasm to gain the skills required for
employment within the conservation sector. There are placements available for both graduate and non-graduates.
The scheme has been structured to support the work of the Trusts Marine Officers throughout the three year
programme and offers a combination of ‘on the job’ professional experience and structured training that is linked to
a variety of work areas with a strong focus on community engagement.
All trainees will gain essential project skills by working alongside the North West Wildlife Trusts Marine
Conservation Officer, the South Walney Nature Reserve Warden, the Lancashire Sand Dunes Project Officer, the
science officers at the NWIFCA and other relevant staff members across the organisations. This will include
helping to set up and run marine events and activities and assisting with delivery of aspects of the Living Seas
Project. Trainees will get involved with The Wildlife Trusts’ Shoresearch project, which was started by trainees
during year one of the Marine Graduate Training Programme and aims to engage volunteers in intertidal surveys
which help towards the designation and management of Marine Protected Areas.
The placement for each trainee will be divided between time spent at Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s head office at
Plumgarths in Kendal and South Walney Nature Reserve (please see ‘Conditions of Training Placement’ for further
details). During work on South Walney and other coastal nature reserves, trainees may undertake bird surveys,
habitat monitoring and management, assist with conservation work parties and visitor interactions (welcoming,
answering questions, and recruiting new members to the Trust). This may mean some early starts, late finishes,
long travelling times, work-based challenges and time pressures, similar to those experienced by staff employed at
the Trust. Many of the activities will include carrying out site visits, risk assessments, health and safety on site and
supervision of volunteers.
Training typically provided includes species identification, wildlife habitat surveying, habitat management and
heritage interpretation/education. Important generic work skills such as volunteer management and marketing are
also incorporated into the programme. Trainees are expected to attend specialist courses, working towards
gaining a variety of relevant AQA unit awards and to maintain a Personal Development Portfolio.
Training courses will also be selected depending on the interests and needs of trainees, working within budget
constraints; trainees will discuss with the Programme Manager those options which will contribute best to their
continued professional development. Previous trainees have attended a wide range of training, including volunteer
management, outdoor first aid, MapInfo/GIS training, seal biology and surveying, and wading bird ID.
Trainee Marine & Coastal Conservation Officer
Training Placement Description
Placement purpose:
To enable Trainee Marine & Coastal Conservation Officers to gain work experience in marine & coastal
conservation whilst continually developing skills, and knowledge through completing a blend of ‘on the job’
and structured training activities.
All work-experience will be to support the delivery of the North West Wildlife Trusts (Cumbria Wildlife Trust
and the Trust of Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, and Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s) ‘Living Seas’
Vision.
Learning opportunities may include:
Supporting the Marine Conservation Officer to secure an ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected
Areas by.
 Delivering the ‘Living Seas’ vision and learn how to:
 Promote and deliver aspects of the Living Seas North West project,
 Deliver marine and coastal surveys through volunteer involvement, primarily through the
Wildlife Trusts’ Shoresearch project,
 Organise and deliver marine awareness events for community groups and families,
 Design and deliver marine based workshops to schools, colleges, universities and community
groups throughout the area,
 Deliver presentations to local community groups (i.e. U3A, WI, Natural History groups),
 Recruit and supervise volunteers for Cumbria Wildlife Trust or partner organisations,
 Contribute to and take minutes at steering group meetings.
 Learning how to complete monitoring and ecological surveys for partner organisations such as Royal
Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB) and North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation
Authority (NWIFCA).
 Assisting the Marine Conservation Officer:
 To work effectively with all involved Wildlife Trusts, The Wildlife Trust’s marine team and other
conservation Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to develop joint messages.
 Raise awareness of marine issues amongst all involved Trust staff, volunteers and members
through the production of awareness products and communications.
 Managing a personal training budget.
 Agreeing and project managing a personal project which will enhance employability.
 Completing a Personal Development Portfolio which evidences the learning, development and
personal growth.
 Learning how to ensure all work is carried out safely including writing risk assessments.
Person Specification – Applicants with a Degree
Qualifications
In England and Wales, to have a marine and/or coastal related qualification above Level 5
(i.e. Degree level), as described in the England & Wales Qualifications and Credit
Framework (or equivalent)
Essential
Desirable
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In Scotland, to have a marine and/or coastal related qualification above Level 8 (i.e. Degree
level), as described in the Scottish Qualifications and Credit Framework (or equivalent)
Knowledge
A good understanding of current environmental/marine conservation issues
A good understanding of ecological survey methodologies
Essential
Desirable
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Awareness of a range of coastal and marine habitats management techniques
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Understanding of marine and coastal species groups
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Awareness of Health and Safety issues
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Understanding of community engagement techniques
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Skills
Good communication skills both verbally and in writing, including an ability to
enthusiastically share knowledge with others
Essential
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Able to analyse, summarise and present information for a range of audiences
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Able to build professional relationships and work well as part of a team
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Able to organise self and others; including planning, prioritising, working to
deadlines and evaluating successes
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Flexible and able to respond to changing requirements
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Competent in MS Office packages
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Full clean driving licence. Access to a vehicle and willingness to drive on
Trust business
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Experience
Practical experience of working within the conservation sector and/or with
wildlife. This may include volunteering experience(s)
Essential
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Essential
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Has a positive and proactive outlook
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Must be willing to live in shared accommodation whilst based at South Walney
Nature Reserve for 19 weeks
Desirable
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Willingness to work outdoors on a range of sites in all weathers when required
Other
The training placement must enhance the individuals current skills and
experience and prospects of employment
Desirable
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Experience of working with volunteers/young people/community groups
Personal Qualities
Enthusiasm, commitment and passion to develop a career in UK marine and
coastal conservation including a desire and aptitude to personally develop
skills, knowledge and experience
Desirable
Essential
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Desirable
Person Specification – Applicants without a Degree
Qualifications
In England and Wales, to have passed 5 subjects equal to or above Level 2 (i.e. GCSE A-C).
To have qualifications lower than Level 6 (i.e. Degree level), as described in the England &
Wales Qualifications and Credit Framework (or equivalent).
In Scotland, to have passed 5 subjects equal to or above level 6 (i.e. Standard Grade (A-C)).
To have qualifications lower than level 9 (i.e. Degree level), as described in the Scottish
Qualifications and Credit Framework (or equivalent).
Knowledge
An appreciation of current environmental/marine conservation issues
An awareness of why ecological surveys are conducted
Essential
Desirable
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Essential
Desirable


Awareness of a range of coastal and marine habitats management techniques

Understanding of marine and coastal species groups

Awareness of health and safety issues

Community engagement techniques

Skills
Good communication skills both verbally and in writing including an ability to
enthusiastically share knowledge with others
Essential

Ability to analyse, summarise and present information for a range of
audiences

Able to build professional relationships and work well as part of a team

Able to organise self and others; including planning, prioritising, working to
deadlines and evaluating successes

Flexible and able to respond to changing requirements

Competent in MS Office packages

Full clean driving licence. Access to a vehicle and willingness to drive on
Trust business

Experience
Practical experience of working within the conservation sector and/or with
wildlife. This may include volunteering experience(s)
Essential

Essential

Has a positive and proactive outlook

Must be willing to live in shared accommodation whilst based at South Walney
Nature Reserve for short stays
Desirable

Willingness to work outdoors on a range of sites in all weathers when required
Other
The training placement must enhance the individuals current skills and
experience and prospects of employment
Desirable

Experience of working with volunteers/young people/community groups
Personal Qualities
Enthusiasm, commitment and passion to develop a career in UK marine and
coastal conservation including a desire and aptitude to personally develop
skills, knowledge and experience
Desirable
Essential
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
Desirable
Conditions of the Training Placement
Duration of placement:
38 weeks from 25th April 2016 to 16th January 2017.
Although we encourage and support trainees to apply for jobs, we ask that
trainees do not start to apply for other positions until they have completed 6
months of the training programme.
Location:
Two of the four graduate trainees will spend the first 19 weeks based at the Trust’s
Head Office in Plumgarths, near Kendal, followed by 19 weeks based at South
Walney Nature Reserve near Barrow-in-Furness. The other two graduate trainees
will start with 19 weeks at South Walney Nature Reserve and then complete their
placement at Plumgarths. Kendal.
The two non-graduate trainees will be based for 38 weeks at the Trust’s Head
Office in Plumgarths, near Kendal with optional short stays at South Walney
Nature Reserve.
Whilst based at South Walney, trainees will be required to live on site in the
accommodation provided and be available for regular weekend and evening
activities. Whilst living in Trust accommodation trainees should expect to share
accommodation with other trainees and volunteers for the Trust.
Trainees will be expected to participate in activities across the county of Cumbria
and, to a lesser extent, in Lancashire and Merseyside.
Bursary:
Whilst based at South Walney trainees will receive £790 per month in living
expenses plus accommodation.
Whilst based at Plumgarths trainees will receive £1,014 per month in living
expenses and are expected to find their own accommodation.
Payments are not subject to PAYE and are a contribution towards subsistence.
From this allowance you will be expected to fund any travel from your home
address to your assigned place of work. Other travel which forms a necessary
part of the training will be reimbursed at cost (e.g. train travel) or with a mileage
allowance of 40 pence per mile.
An additional £500.00 will be paid upon successful completion of the placement.
Hours of Attendance:
35 hours per week. There will be some evening and weekend work experience for
which Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) can be taken.
Holidays:
28 days per annum (pro rata) including statutory Bank Holidays.
Other:
These posts may be subject to an enhanced CRB disclosure.
How to Apply for the Training Placement
To apply, complete the ‘Application Form for Training Placement’ which includes your opportunity to provide
a supporting statement explaining why you are interested in this training opportunity, what you would gain
from it and what you would bring to it. Please do not include a CV.
Applications can be submitted by email (admin@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk) or by post: Cumbria Wildlife
Trust, Plumgarths, Crook Road, Kendal, LA8 8LX.
The deadline for receipt of applications is noon on 29th January 2016.
The Selection Process
The 2016 intake is recruiting a total of 6 trainees; 4 graduate trainees and 2 non graduate trainees. To
select the 6 trainees, there will be three parts to the selection process:
1. Candidates will be shortlisted based on the information provided in the ‘Application Form for
Training Placement’ and how that matches to the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the
Person Specification.
2. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an initial selection day on 16th February 2016. This
selection day will consist of an introductory briefing to the programme and a series of team and
individual activities with Cumbria Wildlife Trust staff.
3. Based on the results of the selection day, candidates will then be further shortlisted for an invitation
to interview. Interviews will be held on 8th and 9th March 2016.
If 6 trainees are not selected from this initial selection process, a further selection day may be arranged.
The training programme will start on 25th April 2016 and this date is unfortunately not negotiable.
Therefore, applications cannot be accepted from candidates who are unable to start on this date. Similarly,
applications will not be accepted from candidates who have travel, training or other commitments during
this 38 week period which could not be fitted within the annual leave policy (a maximum of 2 weeks at any
one time).
If you have any questions about the vacancy, please contact the Trust by email or by phone on 01539
816300 and ask for the Marine Training Programme Manager. Alternately visit our website for more
information (http://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/discover-learn/marine-and-coastal-heritage-programme)
and (http://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/jobs) for an ‘Application Form for Training Placement’.
Registered in England as Cumbria Wildlife Trust Limited, a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 00724133.
Registered Charity No. 218711.