Senior Reserves Assistant – Woods and Heaths

Norfolk Wildlife Trust; Norwich; On-site; GBP 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental charity in the UK seeks a Senior Reserves Assistant for their Woods and Heaths team. The role involves managing multiple wildlife conservation sites, supervising staff, and maintaining habitats. Candidates must have knowledge of wildlife conservation, a chainsaw certificate, and strong communication skills. Additional desirable skills include practical helicopter maintenance and livestock management. This full-time position offers a salary of £26,121 per annum with a permanent contract.

Qualifications

• Good working knowledge of wildlife conservation required.
• Chainsaw certificate is essential for maintenance.
• Strong communication skills are necessary.

Responsibilities

• Help manage 19 conservation sites across Norfolk.
• Supervise staff and volunteers at the reserves.
• Carry out practical habitat maintenance tasks.

Skills

Wildlife conservation knowledge

Supervision

Communication skills

Practical helicopter maintenance

Truck tractor use

Brush cutter operation

Pesticide application

First aid

Livestock management experience

Education

Chainsaw certificate

Job description

Senior Reserves Assistant – Woods and Heaths

Closing date: Friday 30th January 2026

Salary: £26,121 per annum

Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: Full time

Norfolk Wildlife Trust are seeking a Senior Reserve Assistant to join our Woods and Heaths team, based at the Mid Norfolk Foxley Wood reserves base. The role involves helping to manage 19 sites within the South, Central and North Norfolk Area, including ancient woodland, heath, mire, fen and grassland reserves.

The successful candidate will have a good working knowledge of wildlife conservation and a chainsaw certificate (maintenance, crosscutting and felling small trees). They should be able to supervise and work as part of a team in managing busy sites, and possess strong communication skills. Additional desirable skills include practical helicopter maintenance, truck tractor use, brush cutter, pesticide application and first aid, and livestock management experience.

Reporting to the Reserves Manager (Woods and Heaths), the Senior Reserves Assistant will supervise staff and volunteers, carry out practical habitat maintenance, and may also participate in the wider NWT Nature Conservation Team.

Application instructions:

• Send a copy of your CV, full details of education, employment and experience, and details of two referees.
• Include a statement of application outlining why you are suitable for the post, referring to the duties and requirements of the job.
• Subject line must be ‘Private and Confidential’ and email to [e-mail] or post to Recruitment Applications, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Bewick House, 22 Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1RY.
• Indicate the position you are applying for in your email.

Please note the closing date for applications is 5pm on 30th January 2026. Initial interviews are likely to take place around 16th February 2026.

We value respect, integrity, trust and responsibility. We want our people to be as diverse as nature itself and so we particularly encourage applications from those currently under-represented within our sector, including people from minority ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities. We welcome people of all backgrounds and levels of experience with nature, and continually strive to improve our culture and practices. We are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities. Please let us know if you require any adjustment processes to make our recruitment process more accessible.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust is the oldest Wildlife Trust in the country and Norfolk’s largest environmental charity, committed to the protection and enhancement of Norfolk’s wildlife and wild places.