HLF Skills for the Future – Marine and Coastal Heritage Programme
a partnership project with
4 x Trainee Marine and Coastal Conservation Officers
Background
The Wildlife Trusts are dedicated to the conservation of the marine and coastal heritage of
Cumbria and Lancashire as well as inspiring people to take action and conserve their local
environment. The Marine and Coastal Heritage Programme is designed to give recent graduates
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 enables Cumbria Wildlife
Trust, the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, and the North Western
Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NWIFCA) to take on a total of 16 trainees onto the
training programme over a three year period.
Cumbria Wildlife Trust has been delivering and supporting work-based training for many years and
between 2011 and 2014 ran the highly successful Marine Graduate Training Programme. The
Marine and Coastal Heritage Programme is 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 marine
conservation and community engagement, and an enthusiasm to gain the skills required for
employment within the conservation sector.
The scheme has been structured to support the work of the Trust’s marine officers at all times
throughout the three year programme. Therefore, four traineeships will be offered to graduate
trainees every year beginning in spring and lasting nine months. Additionally, two trainees will
begin their traineeships in January (2015/2016) 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 the four graduate trainees starting in May 2015
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, wildlife habitat survey and
heritage interpretation/education. Important generic work skills such as volunteer management,
marketing and computer skills 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.
The Programme revolves around Individual Learning 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:
 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,
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
developing a programme of marine based workshops and delivering these to schools and
community groups throughout the area.
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.
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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, Reserves Officers, 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.
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, near Barrow-in-Furness. During
training time spent on South Walney and other coastal nature reserves, trainees may undertake
bird surveys, habitat monitoring, assist with conservation work parties and visitor interactions
(welcoming, answering questions, and recruiting new members to the Trust). Many of the activities
will include carrying out site visits, risk assessments, health and safety on site and supervision of
volunteers.
Trainees will be encouraged to work with the Programme Manager to identify and set up different
project experiences with partner 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.
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 Assessment Qualification Alliance (AQA) units,
which are part of the Unit Award Scheme. AQA units cover topics such as leading guided walks,
working with children and volunteer management.
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Person Specification
To be successful at gaining an interview, you must have a minimum of a marine and/or coastal
related degree and 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.
You must also have access to a car and be willing to travel both within and outside the
region.
Experience
Working on practical projects
Essential
Desirable
YES
YES
YES
YES
Working with volunteers
Working with young people/community groups
Use hand tools safely
Knowledge
Current environmental/marine conservation issues
Survey methodologies
Management techniques of coastal and marine habitats
Species groups – marine and coastal
Knowledge of health and safety issues
Knowledge of community engagement techniques
Essential
Skills
Ability to work within a team
Ability to work independently and use own initiative
Ability to work to a deadline
Good general IT skills
Full clean driving licence
Excellent communication skills, including writing and listening
especially speaking and presenting to groups
Report writing
Essential
Personal Qualities
Enthusiasm, commitment and passion to move into a career
in UK nature conservation
Desire and commitment to gain practical and ‘on-the-job’
skills
Commitment and enthusiasm for sharing your knowledge and
experience of marine and coastal issues with others
Willingness to work outdoors on a range of sites in all
weathers and to walk reasonable distances 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
Desirable
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
Desirable
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
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Terms and Conditions of Training Scheme
Bursary:
Whilst based at South Walney trainees will receive £767.00 per
calendar month in living expenses plus accommodation. Whilst
based at Plumgarths trainees will receive £984.00 per calendar
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
training for which time off will be given.
Duration of placement:
38 weeks from 26th May 2015 to 16th February 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 6 months of the training programme.
Holidays:
28 days per annum (pro rata) including statutory Bank Holidays.
Reports to:
Marine Training Programme Manager
Location:
Two 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 trainees will start with 19 weeks at South Walney and then
complete their placement at Plumgarths. 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.
Other:
The four selected trainees will join a further two trainees (starting in
January 2015), who are based at South Walney Nature Reserve on a
part-time basis for one year (until January 2016). All placements will
be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.
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How to Apply
The deadline for receipt of applications is 12 noon on Wednesday 25th February 2015.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an initial selection day on Tuesday 17th March
2015. 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. Candidates will then be further
shortlisted for an invitation to interview. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 7th April 2015 and
Wednesday 8th April 2015. You must be available for both the selection day and interview dates.
All successful candidates will be informed of selection decisions in the week commencing 23rd
March 2015. The training programme will start on 26th May 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 38 week period which could not be fitted within the annual leave policy (a maximum of
2 weeks at any one time).
Applications can be submitted by email to admin@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk or by post to Claire
Ladell, Senior Personnel Officer, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Plumgarths, Crook Road, Kendal,
LA8 8LX.
Applications must include a completed application form and a covering letter 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. Due to the high number of applications received each year,
please assume you have been unsuccessful in your application if you have not heard from us by
Monday 9th March 2015.
If you have any questions about the vacancy, please contact the Trust by email
admin@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk 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-graduate-training-programme.
Registered in England as Cumbria Wildlife Trust Limited, a Company Limited by Guarantee No.
0724133. Registered Charity No. 218711.
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