Role Description



The primary role is to assist the Head of Conservation in delivering Spains Hall Estate’s ambitious and innovative Ecological Landscape Plan whilst completing a BSc (Honours) Environmental and Sustainability degree at Harper Adams University.

The work will be wide-ranging, enabling the appropriate candidate to build up a wealth of experience in ecology, farming, agro-forestry, natural flood management, practical conservation and Estate management.

Day-to-day activities will consist primarily of the management, monitoring and reporting of complex agri-environment schemes, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) projects and the Estate’s woodland management programme. Assistance will also be required with a range of ecological research and monitoring projects, often in collaboration with other research organisations and skilled volunteers.

The role will be a blend of office-based work, field ecology and hands-on practical Estate operations and management, with these work areas outlined below:

·      Office-based work will include GIS mapping, funding applications, licenses, evidence collation, reporting and finance.

·      Field ecology will include GPS mapping, habitat assessment (E.g. botanical surveys, aquatic surveys, BNG condition assessments) and species-specific survey work (E.g. invertebrates, deer, small mammals, bat and bird surveying). There may also be opportunities to learn research techniques such as radio-tracking and to shadow specialist surveyors.

·      Practical Estate operations will include a mix of machine and manual work such as tractor driving (E.g. cultivations & cutting), tree planting & pruning, fence checks, use of hand-held power tools and equipment maintenance.

During seasonally busy periods on the Estate, a commitment and willingness to undertake some out-of-hours work will be required.

Full training will be provided for all aspects of the role.

Spains Hall Estate will pay the standard hours’ salary, along with reasonable expenses and accommodation during degree modules at Harper Adams University. 

University fees are covered by the Apprenticeship levy scheme for eligible applicants. The apprentice will have one field trip supported by the Estate in year 1. Any further (optional) residential field courses would be the assistant’s personal responsibility.

Essential Qualifications

A U.K. full, clean driving manual licence is an essential requirement.

Entry requirements and further details of the degree can be found at BSc (Hons) Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship Degree | Undergraduate

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

The following are desirable, but not essential:

·      A valid First Aid Qualification

·      U.K. ecological surveying and/or practical conservation experience

·      Computer experience such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and GIS mapping

·      Tractor driving experience

·      Hand-held power tool experience

·      Off-road driving experience

Essential Personal Attributes

·      Organised, polite, respectful and punctual

·      Good communication skills

·      Motivated and open-minded with a positive ‘can-do’ approach

·      A willingness to work within a team

·      Self-sufficient, adaptable and can demonstrate initiative

·      A common sense and practical approach to tasks, which includes being suitably attired

·      A willingness to learn and work hard

Application Process

Please submit a current C.V. and a covering letter to Sarah Brockless (sarah@spainshallestate.co.uk) explaining why you are personally interested in this role, along with any relevant work experience or interests that can demonstrate your future commitment to this role.

The closing date for applications is 12pm on Friday 5^th September 2025.

Suitable applicants will be invited for interview and an Estate tour within 7 days of the closing date.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Sarah prior to the closing date.

Salary

Full Time, Permanent, Grade 1

Salary Range: £12.21-12.70 per hour (FTE for 37.5hr week £23,810 – £24,762)

Starting salary will depend upon experience.

28 days Annual Leave (including Bank Holidays) & Nest Pension Scheme

Closing date for applications: 12pm on Friday 5^th September 2025