Tees-Swale Farming and Nature Connection Trainee

Would you like to gain experience and benefit from opportunities in one of the most beautiful parts of the country? If so, we have a fantastic opportunity to join us as a Farming and Nature Connection Trainee for the Tees-Swale; naturally connected programme.

Tees-Swale: Naturally Connected is an exciting programme of farming, nature and engagement work in and around Teesdale and Swaledale. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project is a partnership between the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and the North Pennines National Landscape (previously known as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and aims to work with farmers to restore and improve habitats, whilst engaging wider communities in these special landscapes.

This traineeship is a temporary position, starting on 1 April 2025 until 31 January 2026, working full time (37 hours per week), although part time hours may be considered upon request, and is primarily based at our Bainbridge office, near Leyburn, with the potential for some home working.

About Us

We are the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, an organisation that protects, enhances and promotes the immense beauty, wildlife and character of the Yorkshire Dales. Set against expansive heather moorland tops, each valley has its own distinct charm, from crags and waterfalls to an underground labyrinth of caves.

This is a unique opportunity to try something new, and to take a first step on a career path where you can make a real difference. The natural environment needs you!

We hope you will join us on this exciting journey.

The Benefits

• Salary of £24,027 per annum
• Holiday entitlement starting at 26 days, pro rata, plus bank holidays
• Flexi time scheme
• Local government defined benefit pension scheme (LGPS)
• Subsidised Healthcare scheme
• Employee discounts on various goods and services
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free parking
• Commitment to wellbeing

The Role

You will work as part of the Tees-Swale: Naturally Connected Programme to help deliver a varied and ground-breaking selection of wildlife and nature projects, including upland hay meadow restoration and woodland creation, in addition to delivering a varied and inspiring education, engagement and community event programme to hundreds of (mostly young) people living in Swaledale and surrounding urban areas.

About you

Working and being outdoors in all weathers will be a requirement as will having a keen interest in nature conservation with a desire to further develop relevant skills and knowledge and be able to work with people from all backgrounds, helping them to access the outdoors and connect with nature.

You will need to be a supportive team member and have a professional can-do attitude, with the ability to effectively collect data and present the data to a variety of audiences and have a willingness to learn new skills.

The role requires regular travel to sites around the National Park, so access to a vehicle, or access to a means of mobility support, is required. If driving you must have a current valid driving licence and appropriate business insurance.

You will be required to undertake a criminal records (DBS) check as part of the recruitment process.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and join us.

We are a Disability Confident employer and guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role.

We will be holding an online question and answer session on Wednesday, 22 January 2025 from 5.30 – 6.30pm where you can speak to the team including the 2024/25 trainees and hear more about the role. If you are interested in attending this session, please email Isabel Thompson, Farming and Nature Officer, [email protected] and you will be sent joining instructions.

Applications must be submitted by 11.00pm on Sunday 26 January 2025, to be considered by the selection panel.

We expect interviews to take place during week commencing Monday, 3 February 2025. We will reimburse reasonable travelling expenses for candidates attending interviews.