Contract Type: Fixed term until 31/03/2028
Apply by 17th November 2026
About the role
The John Muir Way is one of Scotland's most iconic long-distance walking routes, spanning 134 miles from Helensburgh on the west coast to Dunbar on the east. The John Muir Way Green Skills programme, a three-year initiative funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, focuses on improving biodiversity along this route, creating opportunities for trainees aged 16 - 24 years old with barriers to employment, to learn new skills, build confidence, and contribute to Scotland's natural and cultural heritage.
The John Muir Way Green Skills programme is a 3-year employability initiative with 18 months remaining, through which a total of 72 trainees are engaging in practical biodiversity tasks and projects along the route. The Green Skills Traineeship helps build practical skills, knowledge and confidence for work, volunteering or further learning in the environmental and conservation sector.
The programme aims to bridge the skills gap and tackle workforce challenges, increase connectivity and break down the disconnect with nature, and create accessible opportunities that recognise and value different ways of thinking, learning and engaging.
As the Edinburgh Green Skills Leader you will lead a team of six Green Skills Trainees per year, including the existing cohort. The post holder will have overall responsibility for line managing the trainees, leading delivery of practical training and the delivery of practical biodiversity enhancement tasks on partner sites. In Edinburgh the Green Skills Leader will liaise with greenspace teams from City of Edinburgh Council and community groups to agree sites and projects. This role will also contribute to the project evaluation, local budget management, and programme promotion. Trainees are in attendance 3 days per week (Monday - Wednesday), the role is hybrid and you will be required to be on site on the same days that the trainees are present and for team meetings.
You will be part of a team of 4 Green Skills Leaders working with Scottish Canals and Local Authorities along the route.
You will work closely with the People Advisor and People Admin Coordinator managing the schedule of external training, trainee attendance, annual leave, onboarding, and programme exiting of trainees. These roles will report into the John Muir Way Green Skills Operations Leader.
- Experience of leading a small team.
- Previous management of a training programme/structured delivery model.
- Mentoring and/or coaching young people.
- A passion for supporting young people to achieve their goals.
- Knowledge and understanding of practical biodiversity projects and events.
- Experience in recruiting and managing trainees and/or other stakeholders.
- Experience in working in partnership with multiple organisations with potentially differing demands.
- Support trainees through regular one-to-one meetings to agree personal goals, review their progress and plan next steps.
A full, clean or near clean UK driving licence is required for this post, which has been held for a minimum of one year.
To fulfil the role, you must be resident in the UK and have the right to work in the UK.
Safeguarding
TCV is committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of children and adults at risk. All employees are expected to follow TCV's Safeguarding Policy, complete mandatory safeguarding training, and promptly report any concerns. Safeguarding is a core part of working safely and responsibly at TCV.
A bit more about us
We are The Conservation Volunteers.
Our vision is Better Nature For All.
Our mission is to connect people together to protect and restore nature, delivering lasting benefits for both
Since 1959, The Conservation Volunteers has been a charity creating opportunities for people to create, improve and care for nature in the green spaces around them across the UK. Our variety of projects cover a bit of everything involving nature. Volunteers muddy their boots in parks, community gardens, woodland, sites of special scientific interest, nature reserves, schools and hospital grounds, helping create a glorious network of protected green space across the UK. This work connects people with nature, and that connection delivers powerful results.
Acceptable Use - Artificial Intelligence (AI)
We recognise that candidates may use AI tools to support their application, for example to help structure or edit written responses or as an accessibility aid. TCV does not prohibit appropriate use of AI for these purposes. However, the information you submit should accurately reflect your own experience, skills and understanding.
During interviews and other assessments, we expect candidates to respond independently without the use of AI tools, unless its use has been agreed as a reasonable adjustment.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any during your application. If you would like to discuss your requirements further please contact the People Team via email or by telephone on 01302 388883. We also offer reasonable adjustments on the job.
Any employment with TCV will be subject to the following checks prior to your start date:
- a satisfactory police record check to include a Protecting Vunerable Groups (PVG) check
- receipt of satisfactory references
- proof of eligibility to work in the national location for this role
Registered in England as a limited company (976410)
and as a charity in England (261009) and Scotland (SC039302)
Registered Office: Gresley House, Ten Pound Walk, Doncaster DN4 5HX
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