Trainee Project Officer

The Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic environmental charity in England seeks an enthusiastic individual for a training role focused on conservation projects. You'll engage in farmer events, biodiversity initiatives, and key administrative tasks while gaining invaluable experience. This role is ideal for those starting a career in conservation, offering training and a supportive work environment. The position includes a salary, mentoring, annual leave, and development opportunities, applying by January 23, 2026.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Health benefits package

Mentoring and support

Development training worth up to £3,000

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic and willing to engage in various activities.
• Interest in conservation and environmental projects.
• Experience in administrative tasks is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Deliver activities related to farmer engagement events.
• Assist in biodiversity and landscape initiatives.
• Support monitoring and evaluation tasks.

Skills

Motivated to learn new skills

Strong organizational skills

Genuine interest in farming

Proactive

Positive attitude

Job description

£24,447 per annum | 12-month fixed term contract | Full-time 35 hours per week | Based at our offices in Clapham, near Settle, with a mix of office and home working.

Do you want to help shape a future where people nature and landscape thrive together?

Thanks to funding from The Rank Foundation we are excited to offer a unique opportunity for a motivated individual to join our projects team at Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust. You will play a hands on role in delivering our flagship Long Preston Floodplain project while gaining valuable wide ranging experience within a dynamic and purpose driven charity.

This is a training role ideal for someone currently unemployed or ready to take their first step into a rewarding career with real impact on communities, wildlife and the environment.

About Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust

We are a charity doing big things to help to support people, landscape and wildlife in the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas.

We deliver diverse and inspirational projects, helping to plant 1.6 million trees and securing the future of more than 850 hectares of wildflower hay meadows, creating habitats for our wildlife and combatting climate change. We are passionate about inspiring disadvantaged groups and future generations to care for this special area.

About the role

This is a varied and rewarding training role that offers hands on experience at the heart of one of our innovative conservation programmes. You'll learn directly from our experienced Long Preston Floodplain Project Officer, giving you the opportunity to develop the practical skills, knowledge and confidence to contribute to the projects delivery. You will play an active role in helping to drive the ambitious project forward and make a real difference for people and nature. Alongside this, you will have opportunities to broaden your experience by spending time in other areas of the organisation, gaining insight into the wider work of a dynamic environmental charity.

The role involves delivering a diverse range of activities, including organising and supporting farmer engagement events, helping to deliver biodiversity and landscape focused initiatives, and working collaboratively with partner organisations that share our values and goals.

You will also support key administrative tasks, assist with the monitoring and evaluation of our work, and help promote and communicate our impact to a wider audience.

This is a unique opportunity for someone looking to take their first steps into a career in the conservation or environmental sector, with full training, support and real world experience from day one.

We're looking for someone who is motivated to learn new skills and who brings a genuine interest in farming, conservation or environmental projects. You may be currently unemployed or looking to take your first step into a rewarding career.

You will be enthusiastic, proactive and willing to get stuck in to a wide range of activities. You may have a passion for the outdoors or for project delivery, and you will enjoy working with people while bringing strong organisational skills and a positive attitude.

Above all, you'll be able to work within our organisational culture - sharing our values of being creative, caring, honest and enabling.

What’s in it for you?

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to begin a career in conservation or environmental sector.

• Gain 12 months full time employment with the potential for this to be extended.
• Get valuable experience as part of a busy projects team in a thriving small charity.
• Develop a comprehensive set of skills.
• Carry out your own small project, exploring an area of interest related to your work, managing a small project budget and writing a report.
• Complete a logbook recording the work you have undertaken and skills developed to enable you to complete future job applications more easily.
• Undertake bespoke development training (worth up to £3,000) in addition to on-the-job training we’ll provide to develop your career.
• Have mentoring and support from a project manager, project officers and other staff.
• 25 days annual leave holiday + plus bank holidays + 6 additional Trust days. Pension contribution, and access to our Employee Assistance Programme, health benefits package, well-being support programme, and more

…and you’ll be helping us to deliver a wonderful, innovative project in the Yorkshire Dales!

How to apply

Click on the links below for the job description and other information

To apply please email your full CV and covering letter [e-mail] by Friday 23rd January 2026.

Interviews will take place on Wednesday 11th February.

Registered Charity, No: 1061687, Company Limited by guarantee, Registered in England, No. 3236813