Sustainability and Biodiversity Assistant

Hours: A minimum of 37.5 hours per week (exclusive of breaks) Wednesday – Sunday during our open season (April – early November), and Monday – Friday during our closed season (November – March). Occasional hours outside of the normal rota and evening work will be required, for which time will be taken in lieu.

The Role: We are seeking an enthusiastic Sustainability and Biodiversity Assistant to be an integral part of the Sustainability team. This role plays a key part in turning high-level sustainability and biodiversity commitments into practical, measurable action, supporting long term environmental resilience and demonstrating credible progress against the Sustainability Roadmap and Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).

What you will do: They will support the delivery of the organisation’s Sustainability Roadmap and BAP by assisting with data collection, project coordination, monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder engagement. The role ensures that environmental commitments are translated into measurable, on-the-ground actions and that progress is accurately tracked and communicated. When our Conservation Hub is open, the main focus of this role will be to engage with our visitors in the hub, and create new material to display to the public.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Sustainability Roadmap Support: Assist in implementing actions within the Sustainability Roadmap across areas such as carbon, resource efficiency, land use, procurement, and nature recovery. Collect, organise, and maintain sustainability data (e.g. energy use, materials, land management activities, environmental KPIs). Support annual sustainability reporting and evidence gathering for internal reviews, audits, or external standards. Help track progress against targets and flag risks or delays to delivery.
• Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Support: Assist with delivery of BAP actions, including habitat management, species monitoring, and enhancement projects. Support biodiversity surveys and monitoring (e.g. species records, habitat condition assessments), working with ecologists, land managers, and volunteers as required. Maintain BAP action trackers, maps, and datasets. Help evaluate outcomes and contribute to BAP reviews and updates.
• Project Coordination: Support planning and coordination of sustainability and biodiversity projects, including timelines, contractors, and budgets where relevant. Assist with funding applications, grant reporting, and evidence collation for nature based projects. Liaise with internal teams and external partners to ensure projects align with agreed sustainability and biodiversity objectives.
• Engagement & Communication: Help develop clear internal and external communications on sustainability and biodiversity initiatives (briefings, reports, presentations, web or social content). Support engagement with staff, tenants, volunteers, visitors, or community groups to promote positive environmental practices. Assist with training sessions, site walks, or events linked to sustainability and biodiversity.

You will be a great fit if: You will be a proactive and detail oriented individual who is enthusiastic about nature recovery and sustainability outcomes. It is important that you are comfortable balancing desk-based tasks with occasional outdoor or site-based work. You’ll be willing to learn and develop new technical skills over time.

Your areas of knowledge and expertise that matter for this role:

• Essential: Strong interest in sustainability, environmental management, or biodiversity conservation. Good organisational skills with the ability to manage data, track actions, and meet deadlines. Clear written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders. Competence with standard office software (Word, Excel, databases; GIS or mapping tools an advantage).
• Desirable: Relevant qualification or working towards one (e.g. environmental science, ecology, sustainability, land management). Experience supporting environmental projects, surveys, or sustainability reporting. Familiarity with Biodiversity Action Plans, Nature Recovery Networks, or sustainability frameworks. Practical experience in the field (e.g. habitat management, species surveying) or with environmental data.

Rewards for working with us:

• Waddesdon Discounts Staff Card - A National Trust staff card entitles two adults and children under 18 years of age free admission to all National Trust properties and 20% discount in NT retail and catering outlets.
• Annual Leave - On starting with us, you will receive 25 days annual leave per year plus 8 public holidays pro-rata. Stay with us for 3 years and this rises to 28 days, 30 days after five years and 32 days after 10 years.
• Sick pay - If you become ill, one week of sick pay during your first 3 months. This rises to a maximum of 3 months full pay within a rolling 12-month period. After four years you also receive a further 3 months at half pay in the rolling 12-month period.
• Pension - We will top up your pension by matching any contribution you make, up to 10% of your basic salary.
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Support - access to a wellbeing platform and fully funded 1:1 counselling service.
• Enhanced Maternity Pay - after 12 months of continuous service, you can choose 13 weeks of maternity leave at full pay followed by 26 weeks statutory pay.
• Enhanced Paternity Pay - after 12 months of continuous service, you may take 3 months of paternity leave at full pay.
• Eye Care - eye care vouchers for employees who are DSE users.
• Flu Jabs - free flu jabs in October.
• Travel - Cycle to Work Scheme, Season Ticket Loan for train or bus, Octopus Electric Vehicle Scheme.