Trainee Marine and Coastal Conservation Officers
(Marine and Coastal Heritage Programme)
Are you intent on a career in UK marine conservation but have limited practical experience?
Cumbria Wildlife Trust, the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside and
North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NWIFCA) have four Trainee Marine
and Coastal Conservation Officer skills training placements available through the Heritage Lottery
Fund’s Skills for the Future project. This intake of trainees for the Marine and Coastal Heritage
Programme is designed to give recent graduates the opportunity to gain the foundation skills and
practical experience that are necessary for those working in marine and coastal conservation, with
particular emphasis on public engagement with marine conservation issues. The programme is
aimed at highly motivated individuals with an interest in marine conservation and an enthusiasm to
gain the skills required for employment within the marine conservation sector.
The scheme offers a combination of ‘on-the-job’ professional experience and structured training
that is linked to a variety of work areas, including species identification, wildlife habitat survey,
heritage interpretation and education, plus important generic work skills such as volunteer
management, marketing and computer skills. Trainees are expected to attend specialist courses,
maintain a Personal Development Portfolio, and work towards gaining a variety of relevant AQA
(Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) unit awards. Trainees will also be involved with a number
of projects across the Trusts including Living Seas North West and the Dunes of Barrow project,
helping to develop and deliver educational materials for schools and organising and running events
for families and community groups.
Trainees will spend 19 weeks based at South Walney Nature Reserve, near Barrow-in-Furness,
and 19 weeks based at Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s head office at Plumgarths, near Kendal. Training
will be provided for 35 hours per week with some evening and weekend training, with time off given
in those circumstances. Whilst at South Walney, trainees will receive a bursary of £767 per month
plus accommodation. Whilst at Plumgarths, trainees will receive a bursary of £984 per month. An
additional £500.00 will be paid upon successful completion of the placement.
Essential Attributes
We are seeking four self-motivated and enthusiastic individuals with a minimum of a marine and/or
coastal related degree to undertake a 9-month placement based with Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate their potential and desire to learn new skills, work as part
of a team and the personal commitment to complete a comprehensive 9-month training
programme. Trainees must also have access to a car and be willing to use it both within and
outside the region. These posts will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.
The Marine and Coastal Heritage Programme is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of
their Skills for the Future programme.
For details and an application pack visit www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/jobs or telephone 01539
816300. The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Wednesday 25th February 2015. The first
round selection process will take place on Tuesday 17th March 2015 and interviews will be held on 7th
and 8th April, 2015. Placements will commence on 26th May 2015.
Registered in England as Cumbria Wildlife Trust Limited, a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 0724133. Registered
Charity No. 218711