Operative Level 2 (Conservation) in Worcester

Worcester City Council is looking for a practical, motivated and environmentally focused Conservation Operative to help care for the city’s nature reserves, woodlands, green corridors, public open spaces and important habitats. This is a varied outdoor role supporting the delivery of conservation, woodland management, habitat improvement and arboriculture related work across the city. You will help keep sites safe, accessible and well managed for residents, visitors and wildlife, while supporting biodiversity, nature recovery and high standards of environmental stewardship. The role will suit someone who enjoys hands on outdoor work in all seasons, can respond flexibly to weather related issues, and is confident working across a wide range of public open spaces.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Carry out practical conservation and habitat management tasks across nature reserves, woodlands, green corridors and other council managed open spaces.
• Undertake seasonal vegetation management, including path clearance, entrance clearance, sightline cutting, scrub management, coppicing, meadow cutting and cut-and-collect operations.
• Support woodland management and tree establishment work, including planting, watering, aftercare, formative pruning, mulching and protection of young trees.
• Assist with arboriculture related inspections and operational tasks, including identifying and reporting fallen trees, hanging branches, storm damage, leaning trees, blocked routes and other tree related public safety concerns.
• Support urgent make safe and access clearance works following high winds, storms or other weather events, within training, competence and safe working procedures.
• Carry out routine site inspections, recording defects, completed works and follow up actions.
• Maintain access routes, paths, steps, gates, fencing, signs, benches, boardwalks and other minor site infrastructure.
• Undertake litter picking, bin area checks, fly-tip reporting and general site presentation work.
• Support ecological monitoring, habitat condition checks and protected species considerations before works are undertaken.
• Operate tools, machinery and specialist equipment safely, including strimmers, brushcutters, mowers, cut-and-collect equipment and other grounds maintenance or woodland management equipment where trained and authorised.
• Work with colleagues, volunteers, community groups and Worcester Environmental Group to deliver planned conservation tasks and site improvements.
• Respond professionally to public enquiries, site issues and reactive work requests while working in public facing environments.

About You

We are looking for someone with a strong interest in conservation, woodland management, trees and the wider natural environment. You will be practical, reliable and safety conscious, with the ability to work outdoors throughout the year and adapt to changing priorities. You will need to be comfortable working independently and as part of a team, following work instructions, using tools and machinery safely, and communicating clearly with colleagues, volunteers and members of the public.

• Practical experience or demonstrable interest in conservation, woodland management, countryside management, arboriculture, grounds maintenance or a related outdoor environment.
• Good awareness of health and safety requirements when working outdoors, using tools and operating in public spaces.
• Ability to undertake physically demanding work in a range of weather and ground conditions.
• Ability to identify and report site hazards, defects and tree related safety concerns.
• Experience using hand tools and powered outdoor equipment, or willingness to undertake relevant training.
• Good communication skills and a positive approach to working with colleagues, volunteers, community groups and the public.
• Ability to keep basic records of inspections, defects, work completed and follow-up actions.
• Full UK driving licence, or ability to travel efficiently between sites across Worcester.

Desirable Skills and Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in conservation, countryside management, arboriculture, forestry, horticulture, land-based studies or a related subject.
• NPTC, LANTRA or equivalent certification for chainsaw, brushcutter, pesticide application, woodchipper, tractor, ride-on mower, trailer towing or other relevant machinery.
• Experience of woodland management, coppicing, scrub control, tree planting, tree watering, tree aftercare or basic tree work.
• Awareness of protected species, nesting bird constraints, invasive species and ecological best practice.
• First aid qualification, ideally including outdoor or forestry related first aid.

What You Will Be Working On

Typical work will include winter woodland and scrub management, storm inspections and tree damage reporting, spring and summer path clearance, meadow and rough grassland cutting, access maintenance, litter picking, gate and fence repairs, tree watering from May to September, weekly support for Worcester Environmental Group tasks where programmed, and arboriculture works. The work programme will remain flexible to reflect weather conditions, ground conditions, nesting season constraints, public safety priorities, staffing and reactive call-outs.

Why Join Worcester City Council?

This is an opportunity to make a visible difference to Worcester’s green spaces, helping to protect habitats, support wildlife, improve public access and contribute to a greener, safer and more resilient city. You will be part of a service that works across a varied estate and plays an important role in the day-to-day care of the city’s natural environment. Worcester City Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from people who share our commitment to public service, environmental care and inclusive access to open spaces. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.