Training Scheme

If you are looking for a career in Wildlife Conservation but are aware of how difficult it is to gain the necessary experience to find your first paid job, SERC has some excellent opportunities for you. We provide some really worthwhile conservation work experience whilst improving upon your ecological skills and making you 100% employable in the environmental job market.

Training Aims

Ecological Survey
Aim: Proficiency in Ecological Survey to Phase II level.

• Competence in use of diagnostic keys and guides, primarily vascular plants.
• Competence in recognition of a range of common species and those critical for habitat identification.
• Knowledge of habitat classification methods and the recognition of a wide range of habitat types.
• Competence in site report writing using word processor and GIS for habitat mapping.
• Confidence in approaching landowners and explaining the purpose of surveys.
• Knowledge of ecological organisations and their use of ecological data.
  

Nature Conservation and the Planning Process
Aim: Understand the planning process and its effects on nature conservation and wildlife sites.

• Perform data searches using RECORDER database and GIS.
• Production of consultation responses using word processor and GIS.
• Knowledge of the purpose and use of Local Authority Development Plans, including Structure and Local Plans.
• Understanding of the planning application consultation and decision making process including public enquiries.
• Ability to assess and evaluate threatened wildlife sites.
• Understanding of the potential impact of developments on wildlife sites.
  

Record Centre Management
Aim: Understand the principles and methods of collection, storage and supply of objective ecological data.

• Training in the use of Recorder for data entry and extraction.
• Training in GIS including digitising and data analysis.
• Policy issues such as charging, confidentiality, document control and copyright.

Special Projects
Aim: Carry out a project and produce a polished written report as evidence of report writing skills.

Examples of previous projects include:

• Compilation of metadatabases
• Survey projects e.g. for freshwater crayfish, water voles, harvest mice, veteran trees, hedgerows, road side verges.

Please go to the downloads section to find the full details and an application form. Bear in mind we do not recruit all the time but can keep you on record for future opportunities.