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SWSuffolk Wildlife Trust
Suffolk Wildlife TrustNature Conservation

Assistant Warden (Broads & Lower Waveney)

Location

Lowestoft, Suffolk, United Kingdom

Work type

Onsite

Employment

Full Time

Experience

2-5 years

Compensation

£27.4K per year

Posted

58m ago

Summary and responsibilities

Role overview

Summary

This permanent, full-time Assistant Warden role at Suffolk Wildlife Trust involves delivering high-quality conservation management across North East Suffolk reserves. Key responsibilities include implementing habitat management plans, conducting surveys, ensuring livestock welfare, and maintaining reserve infrastructure. A crucial aspect is leading and motivating volunteers to achieve conservation outcomes, ensuring tasks are well-organized, enjoyable, and safely executed.

We have an opportunity for an enthusiastic and passionate conservationist to join us at Suffolk Wildlife Trust as an Assistant Warden covering our reserves across North East Suffolk.

As an Assistant Warden you will be a key member of the Reserves Team supporting the Warden to deliver high-quality conservation management across a network of Suffolk Coast reserves, which include Carlton Marshes, Oulton Marshes, Castle Marshes, Worlingham Marshes, Lound Lakes, Barsham Marshes, Winks Meadow and Gunton Meadow.

The post holder will help implement habitat management plans, contribute to agri-environment schemes, carry out survey and monitoring work and ensure the welfare of Trust livestock, as well as maintaining machinery, vehicles, infrastructure and access so that reserves are safe, well cared for and managed in line with the Trust’s conservation objectives.

A central part of the role is working alongside and leading volunteers to achieve excellent on-the-ground conservation outcomes. You will plan, coordinate and supervise volunteer work parties, ensuring tasks are well organised, enjoyable and delivered safely, with all Health & Safety procedures followed. You will support volunteer recruitment and induction, build strong relationships with new and existing volunteers, and keep them informed, motivated and engaged so they feel valued and connected to the Trust’s work.

The Assistant Warden will be a practical, self-motivated person with a strong commitment to bringing nature back. You will have good conservation and habitat management knowledge, experience in a similar role (paid or voluntary) and be confident using tools and machinery, including chainsaws and brushcutters. You’ll be fit for physically demanding outdoor work in all weathers, well organised, a good team player, able to coordinate and motivate volunteers, confident with Microsoft 365 and hold a full driving licence.

This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with a local wildlife trust and do amazing things for wildlife.

This is a permanent, full-time position working 37.5 hours per week (five out of seven days each week) based at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve. The starting salary will be up to £27,385.07 per annum, depending on skills, knowledge and experience.

To apply for this opportunity, please submit an application via our website by 9:00am on Monday 24 August 2026. The application process will include uploading a CV and optional cover letter. The interviews are planned for Wednesday 02 & Thursday 03 September 2026 at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve.

Our Employee Perks & Benefits include:

  • Leave entitlement increasing with service up to 38 days annually plus an extra day off for your birthday

  • A 9% employer pension contribution with no employee contribution required

  • Salary sacrifice benefits

  • An Employee Assistance Programme

  • Flu vaccinations

  • Life assurance

  • Access to a GP and wellness services

  • Discounts at high street retailers

  • Discounts in our visitor centre

  • Logo clothing (if in a public-facing role)

Suffolk Wildlife Trust is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone is welcome. As a conservation charity, we recognise the importance of diversity in both nature and our workforce of staff and volunteers. We strive to ensure that everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute to our vision of “A Wilder Suffolk where nature is thriving and abundant because everyone is doing more to help”.

Updated 58m ago

Candidate fit

Skills and qualifications

Additional skills

Conservation Management • 1+ yrs
Habitat Management • 1+ yrs
Tools and Machinery Operation • 1+ yrs
Chainsaw Operation • 1+ yrs
Brushcutter Operation • 1+ yrs
Organizational Skills • 1+ yrs
Teamwork • 1+ yrs
Volunteer Leadership • 1+ yrs

Experience

2-5 years

Certifications

Full Driving Licence • Required

How this role is positioned

Role classification

Job domains

Operations

Industries

Wildlife & Conservation

Employment

Full Time

Contract duration

Permanent

Hiring type

Direct

Global hiring

Location specific

Offer details

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

£27.4K per year

VisibilityShared on listing
CurrencyGBP
PeriodYearly

Location, schedule, and role shape

Work setup

Work conditions

Primary locationLowestoft, Suffolk, United Kingdom
Work typeOnsite
Global hiringNo

Bandwidth profile

peopleHigh8/10
physicalHigh9/10
cognitiveMedium7/10
executionHigh9/10
creativityMedium5/10
uncertaintyMedium6/10
communicationHigh8/10

Context on the employer

Company snapshot

Company

Suffolk Wildlife Trust

Team size

Growing team

Location

Lowestoft, Suffolk, United Kingdom

Suffolk Wildlife Trust is Suffolk’s nature charity – the only organisation dedicated to safeguarding Suffolk’s wildlife and countryside. We make a difference for Suffolk by managing nature reserves - securing a bigger, better and more connected landscape for wildlife and by inspiring the next generation through hands-on experiences with nature.

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Assistant Warden (Broads & Lower Waveney)

Lowestoft, Suffolk, United KingdomFull Time