Working with the Wider Countryside Team staff, the successful candidates will mostly assist with species and habitat surveys and reports, but with some opportunity for practical habitat management and community engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with surveys of habitats such as woodland, grassland, hedgerow, and watercourses
• Produce Phase 1 habitat maps using GPS and GIS mapping software
• Assist with the ongoing monitoring programme of County Wildlife Sites including undertaking surveys and producing survey reports
• Assist with planning and undertaking targeted species surveys (e.g. water voles, great crested newts, bats, non-native invasive species)
• Participate in practical habitat management tasks                 
• Assist staff with preparation for volunteer work parties e.g. completing risk assessments, tool maintenance and site preparation work
• Assist with the delivery of community engagement events
• Assist with ongoing landowner liaison as part of the team’s work

The responsibilities listed above suggest what may be available to the Volunteer Conservation Officers.  The exact work programme will be based upon the specific interests of the successful candidates and work available at the time.

Equality and Diversity

 We’re wild about inclusion! We want our volunteers and staff to be as diverse as wildlife.  As an inclusive employer we recognise that our workforce needs to better reflect the communities in which we live and work.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and cultures.  We believe that a diverse workforce will help us create our vision of ‘people close to nature, with land and seas rich in wildlife’. 

Volunteers will come from a wide range of backgrounds and will have many different qualities and skills. We value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Location

Based at our Cambourne office with travel to sites and meetings across Cambridgeshire, for which expenses will be reimbursed. The office is the headquarters of the Wildlife Trust BCN where you can meet many of our other staff including the Finance, Fundraising, Supporter Engagement and Communications teams, plus the East Cambridgeshire Reserves Team. Cambourne itself was developed with nature in mind and remains one of the best examples of a nature-friendly approach to town planning, with many greenspaces interspersed with housing.

Closing Date: 11:59pm, Sunday 18^th January 2026

Interview date: 27^th January 2026 or 29^th January 2026

Starting date: 4^th March 2026

Commitment required: The placement is for 7 months, from March to September, subject to a 1-month trial period. Working days will primarily be during the week, ideally Tuesday to Thursday, with occasional optional activities at weekends and evenings. 

Frequency: 3 days per week 

Hours offered:  9am – 5pm