HLF Skills for the Future – Marine and Coastal Heritage Programme
a partnership project with
2 x Trainee Marine and Coastal Conservation Officers
Background
The Wildlife Trusts are dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and wild places, as well as inspiring
people to take action and conserve their local environment. The North Western Inshore Fisheries
and Conservation Authority (NWIFCA) lead, champion and manage a sustainable marine
environment and inshore fisheries in the North West. Under the Marine and Coastal Heritage
Programme, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North
Merseyside, and the NWIFCA have come together to offer aspiring marine conservationists the
opportunity to gain the foundation skills and practical experience necessary for a career in marine
and coastal conservation. Funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund will enable a total of 16 trainees
to undertake skills training placements on the programme over a three year period.
Cumbria Wildlife Trust has been delivering and supporting work-based training for many years and,
over the last three years, has run the highly successful Marine Graduate Training Programme,
which came to an end in May 2014. The Marine and Coastal Heritage Programme has launched a
new phase in the Trust’s training delivery. As part of this project, traineeships will be offered to
highly motivated individuals with an interest in the marine environment and making a difference in
their local community, and an enthusiasm to gain the skills required for employment within the
conservation sector.
The programme has been structured to support the work of the Trusts and the NWIFCA throughout
the three year programme. Therefore, four traineeships will be offered to graduate trainees every
year around June lasting nine months. Additionally, two trainees will begin their traineeships in
January (2015 and 2016) for twelve months (on a part-time basis). Therefore, trainees should be
prepared to integrate with new trainees during their time on the programme. This round of
recruitment is for two trainees from the west coast of Cumbria (living in Barrow, Copeland
and Allerdale districts) ONLY.
The Marine and Coastal Heritage Programme 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. Training will be given in species identification, species and habitat
surveys, communication and education. Important generic work skills such as volunteer
management, marketing and computer skills are also incorporated into the programme. Training is
offered in CV writing and interview technique aiming to help trainees to find employment after their
placements. The first three months of the traineeship will focus on knowledge development.
Trainees are expected to attend specialist courses, working towards gaining a variety of relevant
vocational qualifications AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) unit awards and to
maintain a Personal Development Portfolio.
The programme revolves around Individual Training Plans for each trainee that combines
structured training and on-the-job experience. The purpose is to involve trainees in learning about
and helping to deliver the following objectives:
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Promoting and delivering aspects of the Living Seas North West project,
Organising events for community groups and families,
Encouraging greater volunteer involvement in marine and coastal surveys, primarily
through The Wildlife Trusts’ Shoresearch project,
Developing a programme of marine based workshops and delivering these to schools and
community groups throughout the area,
The processes underpinning conservation and fisheries management in the North West.
You are advised to research the HLF Skills for the Future Programme so that you understand the
aims, priorities and outcomes that are expected by the funders of this Programme.
What are you likely to experience on these placements?
The following two sections are intended to give guidance on the scope and nature of programme
activities but should not be seen as a definitive work plan. The structure of the placements for each
trainee will take into account their experience and interests, as well as availability of suitable
projects and training courses.
On-the-job experience
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 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 be expected to 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.
Trainees will spend the duration of their placement based at South Walney Nature Reserve, near
Barrow-in-Furness, with opportunities to attend training with each partner organisation. During the
time spent 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 Trusts). Many of
the activities will include carrying out site visits, risk assessments, health and safety on site and
supervision of volunteers.
Some of the time on the skills training placements will be spent in Lancashire and North
Merseyside, including participation in delivering coastal events, undertaking habitat management
and attending coastal partnership meetings.
Trainees will also get the opportunity to undertake training alongside the Science Officers from the
NWIFCA, undertaking habitat and fisheries surveys that are used to inform the NWIFCA’s fisheries
management decisions.
Trainees will be encouraged to work with the Programme Manager to identify and set-up different
project experiences with other external organisations, such as the National Trust and the RSPB.
Trainees will be expected to use their initiative to rise to challenges, take a proactive part in all
tasks and take advantage of opportunities that arise. This will 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.
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Structured Training Plans
Trainees will maintain an accurate record of learning and skills gained through the collation of a
Personal Development Portfolio.
Training courses will 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.
Trainees will be required to undertake various AQA units, which are part of the Vocational Award
Scheme through the Assessment Qualification Alliance. AQA units cover topics such as leading
guided walks, working with children and volunteer management.
Person Specification
To be successful at gaining an interview, you must illustrate clearly in your application how you
meet both the following trainee specification and what you will gain from being selected for a
training placement.
These traineeships are specifically for individuals living in the Cumbrian districts of Barrow,
Copeland and Allerdale, without a degree-level qualification. Note: Interested individuals with
a degree should apply for the graduate trainee placement as detailed in the first page, when the
next recruitment round opens.
You must be willing to travel both within and outside the region.
Experience
Working on practical projects
Working with volunteers
Working with young people/community groups
Use hand tools safely
Essential
Knowledge
Current environmental/marine conservation issues
Survey methodologies
Management techniques of coastal and marine habitats
Background knowledge of the fishing industry
Species groups – marine and coastal
Knowledge of health and safety issues
Knowledge of community engagement techniques
Essential
Skills
Ability to work within a team and with a wide range of people
Ability to work independently and use own initiative
Ability to organise self and work to a deadline
Good general IT skills
Excellent communication skills, including writing and listening
Report writing
Full clean driving licence (and willingness to drive on Trust
business)
Essential
Desirable
YES
YES
YES
YES
Desirable
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
Desirable
YES
YES
YES
YES
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YES
YES
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Personal Qualities
Enthusiasm, commitment and passion to move into a career
in UK marine and coastal conservation
Desire and commitment to gain practical and ‘on-the-job’
skills
Commitment and enthusiasm for sharing knowledge and
experience of marine and coastal issues with others
Willingness to work outdoors on a range of sites in all
weathers when required
Self-discipline and confidence in own abilities
Ability to use tact and diplomacy when required
A pleasant disposition
Essential
Desirable
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
Terms and Conditions of Training Scheme
Bursary:
Whilst based at South Walney trainees will receive a training bursary
of £450.60 per month in living expenses plus accommodation for
three days and three nights per week.
Training bursaries 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:
21 hours per week over three days. Accommodation will be provided
for three days and three nights per week. There will be some evening
and weekend training for which time off will be given.
Duration of placement:
52 weeks from 12th January 2015 to 11th January 2016.
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 at least nine months of the training programme.
Holidays:
There will be 16.8 days’ vacation during this period scheduled to fit in
with the training programme.
Reports to:
Marine Training Programme Manager
Location:
Trainees will be based at South Walney Nature Reserve near
Barrow-in-Furness with opportunities to attend training with all
partner organisations. Trainees will be required to live on-site in the
accommodation provided for three nights a week for the duration of
their placement and be available for regular weekend and evening
activities. Whilst living in Trust accommodation trainees should
expect to share accommodation and potentially share a room
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 North
Merseyside.
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Other:
The two selected trainees will integrate with four current graduate
trainees. The graduate trainees will finish their placements in midMarch 2015. A further group of four graduate trainees will be
recruited to start in May 2015. This will provide an overlapping period
where the trainee team will be comprised of six individuals.
References will be required prior to interview.
These posts may be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and
Barring Service (DBS) check.
How to Apply
The deadline for receipt of applications is 12 noon on Friday 10th October 2014.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an initial selection day on Monday 27th October
2014. This selection day will consist of an introductory briefing to the programme and some team
and individual activities with Cumbria Wildlife Trust staff. Candidates will then be further
shortlisted for an invitation to interview. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 3rd December
2014. Candidates must be available on both dates as alternative selection and interview dates are
not available.
All candidates will be informed of selection decisions in the week commencing Monday 13th
October 2014. The training programme will start on Monday 12th January 2015 and this date is
not negotiable. Applications will not be accepted from candidates who are unable to start on that
date. Similarly, applications will not be accepted from candidates who have travel, training or
other commitments during this 52 week period which could not be fitted within the annual leave
policy (a maximum of two weeks at any one time).
Applications can be submitted by email (admin@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk) or by post: Cumbria
Wildlife Trust, Plumgarths, Crook Road, Kendal, LA8 8LX.
Applications must include a completed application form and a covering letter outlining 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. Please assume that you have been unsuccessful in your
application for a traineeship if you have not heard from us by Monday 24th October 2014.
If you have any questions about the vacancy, please contact the Trust by email or by phone on
01539 816300. Alternately visit our website (http://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/discoverlearn/marine-and-coastal-heritage-programme) for more information, answers to frequently asked
questions and application forms (http://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/jobs).
Registered in England as Cumbria Wildlife Trust Limited, a Company Limited by Guarantee No.
0724133. Registered Charity No. 218711.
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