This is an exciting opportunity for a suitably-qualified Assistant Warden to join our South East Suffolk conservation team, helping to deliver our mission to bringing nature back to Suffolk. The post holder will support the team to achieve high-quality conservation management across a varied and inspiring portfolio of reserves: Foxburrow, Blaxhall Common, Captain’s Wood, Sandlings Heaths and Forest, Bromeswell Green, Hutchison’s Meadow, Martlesham Wilds, Newbourne Springs, Trimley Marshes and Levington Lagoon.

At the heart of this role is practical, outcomes-focused land management. Working under the line management of the Senior Warden, you’ll help ensure reserves are managed in line with conservation objectives and management plans - contributing to agri-environment scheme agreements, completing habitat management tasks, coordinating ecological monitoring and producing clear evidence-based reports. You’ll also play an important operational role by helping prepare contractor specifications and supervising works when needed, while maintaining machinery, vehicles, equipment and reserve infrastructure to a high standard. Where livestock are part of the conservation approach, you’ll help ensure excellent welfare standards are consistently met.

People are central to success on reserves and you will be committed to talking to the public & leading volunteer work parties and other activities. You’ll support with overseeing day-to-day volunteer activities, input into work schedules and ensure Health & Safety procedures are understood and followed, supporting safe working practices for everyone involved. Just as importantly, you’ll help develop these reserves as welcoming “flagships” for the Trust’s work, ensuring visitors enjoy safe and accessible trails, signage, interpretation and facilities. You’ll have a friendly, engaging manner & contribute to a positive visitor experience, acting as an ambassador for Suffolk Wildlife Trust at every opportunity - supporting open days, guided walks and talks and sharing the story of the Trust’s conservation impact through channels such as social media, local media and Trust communications.

To succeed in this role, it is essential that the successful applicant has previous experience in a similar role, broad habitat & conservation management knowledge and experience, including an awareness of agri-environment schemes and Cross Compliance. Strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft 365, are also important, with a willingness to use GIS, volunteer management and CRM systems . You will be familiar with Health & Safety requirements and be a team player with excellent interpersonal & communication skills. You will also be well organised, practical and adaptable, and an effective problem-solver. Finally, you will be self-motivated, enthusiastic and engaging, committed to environmental issues and able to undertake outdoor work in all weathers.

Across the Suffolk county we manage over 50 nature reserves covering more than 2,900 hectares. Taken together, the reserve network includes a broad range of habitat types, including floodplain marsh, lowland fen, reedbed, open water, wet meadow, valley fen, lowland heath, grassland, ancient woodland, coppiced woodland, estuarine mudflats and saltmarsh. The sites vary considerably in scale and function, from large wetland complexes such as Carlton Marshes and Redgrave & Lopham Fen to smaller woods, commons and meadow sites that protect locally important assemblages & habitat fragments.

Explore our Nature Reserves across Suffolk

This is a permanent, full-time position working 37.5 hours per week (five out of seven days each week, typically Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm). The base of work will be Foxburrow and 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 Tuesday 02 June 2026. The interviews are planned for week commencing Monday 15 June 2026 at Foxburrow.

Annual leave entitlement starts at 33 days per annum (including Bank Holidays), increasing annually to 38 days plus employees receive an extra day off for their birthday. We offer a 9% employer pension contribution with no employee contribution required, free 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme, free life insurance from day one of employment, free access to a private GP and discounts at high street retailers. Staff can also enjoy a 10% discount in our visitor centre cafes, including retail.

We are committed to being an inclusive organisation where everyone is welcome. As a conservation charity, we recognise the value of diversity both in nature and in our staff & volunteers. Suffolk Wildlife Trust is an organisation where everyone feels respected, valued & empowered to contribute, so that together we can deliver our vision, mission & strategic goals for a wilder Suffolk.