Background to the role:

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT)’s mission is to create a Yorkshire rich in wildlife for the benefit of everyone – more wildlife, more wild places and more people having a strong connection to nature. Within our Northern region we manage 36 nature reserves, as well as several exciting projects. Enabling nature’s recovery takes time and effort and the North Team benefits from the help and support of volunteers to make our vision a reality, whilst providing a first-rate learning and development opportunity for people wanting to focus on a career in nature conservation.

The role of the Survey and Monitoring Voluntary Placement is for the volunteer to support and be involved in  a range of conservation projects. Working alongside a team of knowledgeable staff, you will help in the planning, development, and the practical delivery of this work. This volunteer role will allow you to develop an in-depth understanding of working in the conservation sector - you will gain experience in developing species specific projects on a local scale whilst working alongside landowners on private land. 

You will also have an opportunity to be directly involved in projects which help to increase the spread and distribution of our native species as part of nationally important partnership projects – specifically great crested newts and white clawed crayfish. 

What will you be doing?

On this Voluntary Placement you will gain experience from survey and monitoring projects across the county. You will be based in YWT’s York office with field work predominantly carried out across North and West Yorkshire.  You will spend time with our project officers in undertaking activities on third party land, however there will also be the opportunity to shadow other members of the team to enhance your development. You could gain experience in the following areas:

• Species survey and monitoring as part of national and local schemes including environmental DNA (eDNA) and traditional methods
• Riparian ecology, restoration and monitoring
• Land management techniques to improve water quality
• Wetland habitat creation
• Undertaking practical tasks such as habitat creation and restoration
• Gain an understanding of budgets and project management tools
• Mapping, administrative and GIS work using QGIS and Survey123
• Helping to publicising project work via traditional communications, social media and engagement events
• Helping to set up survey work and events with volunteers and landowners
• Involvement in partnership projects and engaging with farmers, landowners and other stakeholders

What's in it for you?

• A full induction to the role
• Regular support meetings with your volunteer manager
• Ongoing personal development, allowing you to develop nature conservation skills and valuable experience towards a career in this sector
• Internal and/or external training to include habitat surveying, and a recognised course in surveying and monitoring of species or habitats, for example a ‘Working with Crayfish’ course
• A programme of in-house training courses will be available throughout your placement
• Access to our free, varied volunteer internal trainee training programme
• Branded uniform
• Reasonable travel expenses
• An intensive and high-quality experience that will stand out on any CV, as a team member of one of the UK’s most vibrant and varied conservation organisations

80% of volunteers on longer term placements with YWT have successfully found employment within the sector or gone on to relevant further studies. 

Recruitment Information:

2 days per week, between Mon-Fri (there is some flexibility here but Tuesday to Thursday would be preferred). This role will be a mix of office-based work but will include travel to sites & reserves across the county.

To apply for this role please read the full role description and send in a completed volunteer application form to volunteering@ywt.org.uk by the closing deadline, 5pm Monday 16th March 2026. Interviews are anticipated to take place on Wednesday 1st April at our York Office.