CourseWild Talent Level 2Work-based Diploma in Environmental Conservation

PlacesSix

Dates4 September 2017–Fri 10 August 2018

HoursFull-time, five days a week. 9.30am – 5.30pm including one hour for lunch; occasional weekends. Trainees must be prepared to work flexibly – in winter earlier starts are often required.

Location3 trainees based in South London 3 trainees based in West London with travel to other London areas as required.

Bursary£13,200 per year tax-free, paid in monthly instalments to trainees

HolidaysChristmas: 18/12/17 to 2/1/18

Easter: 2/4/18to6/4/18

Summer: 13/8/18 to 31/8/18

SupervisorWild Talent Conservation Training Coordinator

Closing dateFriday 23rd June2017 at 6.00pm. Applicants must complete and return an application form. Completing an equal opportunities form is optional.

InterviewInterview and practical assessment days will be held between 10th & 11thJuly

About the Wild Talent Trainee Programme

Wild Talent aims toequip trainees with the necessary skills, accreditation and support needed to get a job in London’s nature conservation sector. The scheme aims to increase the diversity of people working in nature conservation, and will target people from BAME groups, people from economically deprived backgrounds and non-graduates.

Trainees will receive training in practical conservation and reserve management skills, working alongside a London Wildlife Trust Reserve Officer across a range of nature reserves. This will be supplemented by a rigorous and extensive training programmecovering environmental education, community outreach, leadership, urban conservation and surveying and monitoring.Trainees will also undertake first aid andprofessional chainsaw and herbicide spraying qualifications.

The City & Guilds Level 2 Work-Based Diploma in Environmental Conservation demonstrates to future employers that trainees have the necessary skills, experience and competencies to undertake a practical role in the sector. Trainees are required to keep a portfolio documenting their progress throughout the courseas evidence for the Diploma. This will require some written work and computer skills.

Please note: trainees must be prepared to undergo an enhanced criminal record check because this role involves contact with children and vulnerable adults.

A criminal record should not stop you applying for a traineeship. However, the ability to enter a career involving environmental education with a criminal record depends on the nature of the crime, the date and the sentence and whether the ex-offender appears on the list of people barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.

Main Activities/Responsibilities

  • To participate in classroom and work based training under the guidance of LWT staff
  • To carry out day-to-day practical conservation work at LWT nature reserves
  • To maintain a portfolio of learning throughout the traineeship, recording all work undertaken in order to achieve a Work-Based Diploma in Environmental Conservation.
  • To take part in environmental education, community outreach and habitat/wildlifesurveying
  • To support the reserve management team in the delivery of work relating to key species, habitats and reserve infrastructure across the relevant sites.
  • To deliver public-facing events and activities that promote the work of LWT
  • To produce and follow risk assessments, reporting back to LWT health and safety meetings
  • To adhere to the equal opportunities, health and safety and safeguarding policies of the Trust at all times.

Trial period

The first six weeks is a trial period. Trainees who fail to attend on time, do not complete the required activities or assignments for their portfolio, or whose behaviour is unacceptable will be asked to leave the course.

Course Outline

SEPT 2017 /
  • Introduction to LWT Policy and Procedures
  • Reserve visits
  • Online Health & Safety Training – Manual handling, Fire awareness
  • Social media training
  • Residential (1 week camping & habitat management on an LWT reserve)
  • Brushcutter training
  • Tool usage/maintenance

oCT 2017 /
  • Leading practical workdays training
  • Leading volunteers and corporate groups practical
  • Working with local groups
  • Online Health & Safety Training - risk assessment, vibration, lone working
  • Risk Assessments
  • Managing grasslands – theory and practice
  • First Aid training

nov 2017 /
  • Managing wetlands – theory and practice
  • Managing woodlands – theory and practice
  • Tree safety assessments

DEC 2017 /
  • Chainsaw assessment, training & practice

JAN 2018 /
  • Challenges of urban nature conservation
  • Wildlife legislation and planning
  • Introduction to working with groups with learning disabilities

FEB 2018 /
  • Introduction to Fundraising
  • Project and contractor management
  • PA1 andPA6 pesticide application training & assessment

MAR 2018 /
  • External work placements (individual)

APR 2018 /
  • Introduction to invasive species
  • Invasive species monitoring & surveying
  • Invasive species control and management
  • Introduction to data handling and collection
  • Woodland habitat condition assessment session

MAY 2018 /
  • Introduction to Botany
  • Introduction to reptiles and amphibians
  • Undertake surveys
  • Introduction to GIS
  • Undertake GIS practical project (individual)
  • Run open day for new trainees

JUN 2018 /
  • How to consult, engage and work with the local community
  • Undertake community engagement project
  • Habitat condition assessment session
  • Introducing entomology
  • Introduction to bat ecology and surveying

JUL 2018 /
  • Managing challenging behaviour and conflict
  • Child protection training
  • Observe & deliver schools sessions
  • Writing conservation management plans

AUG 2018 /
  • Financial management and budgeting training
  • Events, talks and walk training
  • Introduction to landscape scale conservation
  • How to gain employment in the conservation sector

Please email you need further information about this course.

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We are looking for Wild Talent applicants with the following eligibility, experience and skills.

Applicants must have the 'Essential' criteria to be short-listed.'Desirable' skills and experience are an advantage, but not essential.

We will assess suitability based on this application form (A) and interview/assessment (I) as shown below.

Trainees will be required to undergo DBS (formerly CRB) criminal record check

Eligibility criteria / Essential / Desirable / Application (A)
Interview (I)
A member of at least one of the following target groups:
  • Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic Background (BAME)
  • Living in economically deprived area or in receipt of benefits
  • No higher education qualifications
/  / A
GCSE/O levels D-G or equivalent Level 1; good standard of written and spoken English /  / A/I
Minimum age 18 /  / A/I
Ability to travel to locations where traineeships are based /  / I
Right to reside and train in the UK with recourse to public funds /  / A
Motivation
Passion for wildlife/conservation and ambition to pursue a career in the sector /  / A/I
Willingness to work towards a qualification and take responsibility for learning and development /  / A/I
Self-motivated with ability to use initiative and work independently to achieve personal goals /  / A/I
An interest and enthusiasm for practical work outdoors, throughout the year , working in all weathers /  / A/I
Experience
Applicants will not be required to have previous work experience or current employment.
Experience of sustained participation in related activities, including voluntary roles making positive contributions to local community /  / A/I
Experience of working with hand and/or power tools /  / A/I
Knowledge
An interest in and appreciation of wildlife and natural history /  / A/I
Knowledge of London, its people and its wildlife areas. /  / I
Ability to undertake and practical work as required. /  / I
A good understanding of health and safety and safe outdoor working methods and tools use. /  / I
Skills
Excellent time keeping /  / I
Able to prioritise and organise own time and resources effectively /  / I
An ability to inspire and enthuse others /  / I
Full clean UK driving license /  / A
Basic IT and communication skills (email and Microsoft Office Word) /  / A
Working with others
A team player, keen to engage with or lead others in conservation work. /  / I
An understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities good practice. /  / I

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