Join our voluntary trainee team, learn new skills and gain experience within a friendly environmental organisation.
Our voluntary trainee roles are open to anyone wishing to gain that all important 'hands on' experience to offer a competitive edge when applying for jobs.
These roles are usually part-time, so anything from 2-5 days a week, and can last from 6 - 12 months.
Our voluntary trainee roles are part of a wider rolling programme of Traineeships offered by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust – you will be part of a team of 20+ voluntary trainees and are offererd an internal programme of training, development and support as well as a competitive budget for training. We also offer a contribution towards daily out-of-pocket travel expenses to all our voluntary trainees.
To apply for one of the roles below please complete and return a Voluntary Trainee Application Form using the link here:-
Application Form
You will need to use the information given in the role description (bottom of the page) to demonstrate why you are a good candidate for a voluntary traineeship. Please make sure you state which role you are applying for and be sure to return the form by the deadline to volunteering@ywt.org.uk or post it to the address on the form
If you have any questions about voluntary traineeships please call us on 01904 659570.
Why not read some of our voluntary trainee profiles on the previous page to see for yourself what it's really like!
Inspiring Communities Voluntary Trainee
‘Our Hardworking River’ project focuses on inspiring people living in the River Torne’s catchment to learn more about how they can improve and protect their local water bodies and take ownership of this natural heritage. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust are also working with local schools to design and retrofit Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in their school grounds to help reduce flood risk.
The Voluntary Trainee will support this dynamic and creative team to help to plan and deliver an exciting engagement programme for the ‘Our Hardworking River’ project and work closely with the Project Assistant to retrofit SuDS in schools. Alongside your work on the SuDS project you will also have an important role within the Humberhead Levels Landscape Monitoring Programme, helping to delivery 6 public engagement events across the region and setting up a suite of fixed point photography monitoring locations in this renowned wetland environment.
This role is for 6 months, for 3 days a week, comes with a competitive training budget and travel expenses and is based at our Potteric Carr Nature Reserve near Doncaster.
Shortlisting: 14th September
Interviews: 28th September
Start date: Early October
Southern Reserves Voluntary Trainee
Across South Yorkshire, our Reserves Team carry out vital practical conservation tasks, leading volunteer groups and carrying out office-based reserve management to enhance and protect nature. We are looking for three Voluntary Trainees to assist with these tasks and gain experience in practical habitat management.
The role will be split between office-based tasks and practical habitat conservation work on various public nature reserves throughout South Yorkshire, with most time spent at our stunning Potteric Carr Nature Reserve. Time will be spent carrying out habitat management activities such as scrub clearance, reedbed management, fence and gate repairs and rubbish removal, amongst a variety of other jobs. Tasks often involve working with local volunteers to manage sites and part of the role will include leading volunteer groups in practical activities.
Office-based work will include researching, writing and developing management plans, preparing and supervising contract works, fielding queries, as well as other reserves administration.
This role is for 12 months, for 3 days a week, comes with a competitive training budget and travel expenses and based at our Potteric Carr Nature Reserve near Doncaster.
Closing date: Thursday 7th September 2017
Interview date: Thursday 14th September 2017
Start date: Early October
Farm Conservation Voluntary Trainee
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is in its eight year of developing a 240 acre community supported beef farm near Huddersfield. The farm project aims to unite conservation farming with people and local food production and has expanded and celebrated some great achievements over this time. As a Farm Conservation Voluntary Trainee you will assist in all aspects of herd management, farm conservation and grassland restoration programme and play a key role in achieving the farm infrastructure development plan.
The Farm Conservation Voluntary Trainee will gain a wide range of experience including practical estate and habitat management, livestock husbandry, tractor and machinery maintenance and operation, and working with volunteers.
If you love being outdoors in all weathers and have a passion for conservation farming we want to hear from you! This role is for 12 months, for 3 days a week and comes with a competitive training budget and travel expenses. It is based at our Stirley Community Farm near Huddersfield.
Application deadline: Wednesday 23rd August 2017
Interview Date: Friday 1st September
Start Date: September 2017
Northern Reserves Voluntary Trainee
Our Northeastern Reserves Team working across sites in the North Yorkshire Moors, Pickering and Scarborough areas are looking for a passionate individual to join the team as a voluntary trainee. You'll assist staff to undertake practical land management tasks, assist with the delivery of volunteer task days and help with reserve management planning.
You’ll help with the management of some of our most beautiful nature reserves giving you a broad range of practical skills across different habitats and further protecting Yorkshire’s wildlife.
This role will involve a variety of outdoor practical conservation tasks on nature reserves as well as office-based work, this will give you the essential background knowledge and understanding to enhance the practical side of the role.
The role is for 3 days a week, for a duration of 12 months, with a training budget to be agreed with your supervisor. You will also have access to our internal training programme and we will provide travel expenses of up to £10 a day.
Application deadline: Friday 8th September at 9am
Interview Date: Monday 18th September in York
Start Date: October 2017
Northern Living Landscapes Voluntary Trainee
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust seeks to create ‘Living Landscapes’ in which wildlife can thrive. Within our Northern region we manage 30 nature reserves, as well as several exciting projects. Protecting these living landscapes takes time and effort and our living landscapes staff benefit from the help and support of trainees to make our vision a reality, whilst providing a first rate training and development opportunity for people wanting to focus on a career in nature conservation.
The role of the Living Landscapes trainee is to support and be involved in the management of conservation projects and nature reserves in North Yorkshire. Working alongside a team of knowledgeable staff, you will help in planning, development, and the practical delivery of this work. As part of this role you will gain experience working on river restoration projects including the River Wiske.
The role is for 3 days a week, for a duration of 12 months and comes with a competitive training budget and travel expenses. The role will be based at our York headquarters.
Application deadline: Wednesday 6th September 2017 9am
Interview Date: Tuesday 19th September in York
Start Date: October 2017
North Cave Wetlands Voluntary Trainee
We are looking for a trainee to assist our Reserves Programme Manager based in Hull to carry out practical conservation tasks, lead volunteer groups and assist with general reserve management work at North Cave Wetlands. If you would like to gain first-hand experience in practical conservation techniques and learn from our skilled and knowledgeable staff this role is perfect!
The role will include practical and office based tasks, with the majority of time spent in the field, gaining experience in habitat management activities – this includes for example, scrub clearance, wetland creation, invasive species removal, fence and gate repairs, clearance operations, ditch works, livestock management and a variety of other tasks.
If you love being outdoors and in the thick of nature and like working as part or a team, we'd love to hear from you. This role is for 12 months, 2-3 days a week and comes with a competitive training budget and travel expenses. The role be predominantly reserve work at North Cave Wetlands with some office working in Hull.
Closing date: Friday 8th September 9am
Interview Date: Wednesday 20th September in York
Start Date: October 2017
Spurn Reserve Voluntary Trainee
We’re looking for a new Voluntary Trainee to join the team at Spurn National Nature Reserve; which is one of Yorkshire's most interesting and ever changing wildlife and heritage sites. Spurn’s unique landscape is a draw to many visitors and never fails to inspire others about the importance of Living Landscapes and Living Seas. As a Spurn Reserve Voluntary Trainee you will gain a wide range of skills and knowledge centred around reserve management, visitor engagement and running a programme of events at a Gateway site.
We've just been given planning permission to build a new visitor centre, which will be completed by the end of 2017. The new centre will be a fantastic addition to the the newly refurbished Lighthouse that opened last year. This is an amazing opportunity to be part of the exciting developments at Spurn and help make it an exceptional place to visit. You will be involved in helping to plan and deliver practical reserve management; be part of the visitor experience by welcoming visitors on site; taking admissions and providing essential information; helping out in the cafe and retail areas and also assisting with the varied and interesting programme of events that we have at Spurn. The variety of tasks you will be able to take part in should provide a good mix of skills for those who wish to work in the conservation sector.
The role is for 6-12 months, depending on what candidates prefers and will be 3 days a week, with some potential weekend availability. This will ideally be a residential placement with accommodation provided close to the reserve/onsite with all utility bills paid. The role comes with a competitive training budget and access to our internal training plan.