Nature Economy Trainee

If you have always been looking for an opportunity to play a role in nature conservation but wondered how and if the right opportunity would come along, then this traineeship may be for you. This traineeship is ideal for career changers and starters.

We are looking for a Nature Economy Trainee to join our team and support with researching and navigating our evolution towards the creation of healthy Nature Economies in Derbyshire.

Nature is in decline, and we need to put it into recovery. The drivers for nature’s decline come from the fact that most mechanisms for generating income for landowners come from the conversion of natural capital into economic capital. If we can identify a range of mechanisms by which incomes can be generated without this conversion, we can create a Nature Economy.

Nature Economy is a new and vital area of development at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, that involves understanding how we can identify, pilot and scale financial incentives for landowners to sustainably deliver nature’s recovery. We are particularly interested in the market for Ecosystem Services (e.g., Biodiversity Net-Gain, Carbon Credits, Nutrient Neutrality, Eco Tourism).

In this role, you will work with our Wild Solutions and Wilder Landscapes teams to gain an understanding of the Ecosystem Services that healthy functioning habitats can deliver. Using this knowledge, you will support the team in developing funding and management plans for a range of sites and habitats across Derbyshire.

To be successful you will be a clear and confident communicator, with a well-rounded understanding of the UK environment and the challenges it faces, the solutions it offers and will be passionate about developing your skills and experience in the conservation sector.

This is an exciting role that will play a key role in transforming how we interact with land in Derbyshire and assisting with nature’s recovery.

What will you gain:

• An understanding of healthy Nature Economies and the ecological principles that underpin them.
• An understanding of the Green Finance market and how Payments for Ecosystem Services can deliver more space for Nature.
• Experience working across a range of site and habitats across Derbyshire.
• Wider training opportunities to support your professional and personal development.

About you

This role might be right for you if:

• You have a willingness to learn new skills.
• You are keen to use your numerate skills to tackle the climate emergency.
• You have great attention to detail and communication skills.
• You have a commitment to the restoration of nature and other environmental issues.
• You have a friendly and supportive approach.

What our previous trainees, interns and placements have to say about gaining experience with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

“Overall, I really enjoyed my experience and think that it has really helped me with gaining valuable experience in the industry that I am looking for a career in.”

“I feel like schools, colleges, even some adults give the perception that work is scary, strict, and unbearable and that was not the case with DWT. If anything, it made me look forward to future jobs!”

“It was a good traineeship, I felt just as valued as every other member of staff, everyone was lovely which really helped my anxiety, there were ample opportunities to learn and grow and I love how personal development was a priority within the Trust for all staff.”

The job description also includes a person specification, this outlines some skills that would be advantageous – not every skill is essential as we do not expect you to know everything in advance.

In your application, please outline the skills and experience you have that would make you a suitable candidate for this role. Use the person specification on our website to help you write your application.

You can consider referring to any of the following as examples of your skills: paid work; your education history; societies; sports; volunteering; hobbies or interests; support you provide to family or friends, etc. We want to hear about you as an individual. Enthusiasm and eagerness to learn play a crucial part in being successful in this trainee role.

We are happy to talk flexible working!

This role will be based at our office in Middleton although a balance of home and office working will be allowed. We are a local charity so applicants should be easily able to access our office and other locations around the county.

If you have any questions about the role which are not answered in the Job Description and Terms on our website, please either email recruitment@derbyshirewt.co.uk or call 01773 881188.

Interviews are planned for 30th May.

For more information, please refer to the job description and key terms on our website. If you have any questions about the role which are not answered in the documents on our website, or require adjustments to the application process, please either email recruitment@derbyshirewt.co.uk or call 01773 881188.