Project Assistant – South Central

Are you looking to start your career in practical nature conservation?

Newt Conservation Partnership

£24,000 per annum

full-time 1-year fixed-term contract flexible/hybrid working

We are looking for an enthusiastic Project Assistant to join our Delivery Team and help create and restore high-quality habitat for great crested newts and other freshwater wildlife.

This is an exciting early-career opportunity for graduates or people with equivalent experience who want to develop a career in practical conservation. Working alongside experienced NCP Project Officers, you will help deliver our programme of habitat creation, restoration and monitoring across southern England. The role combines practical site-based conservation work with project planning, monitoring, mapping, data management and administration, giving you broad experience of how landscape-scale conservation is delivered on the ground.

You’ll receive training, mentoring and day-to-day support, have opportunities to develop your field skills, contribute to monitoring, build your confidence using GIS and data systems, and work with landowners and conservation partners.

We welcome applications from people who can demonstrate relevant knowledge, enthusiasm and transferable skills through a degree, volunteering, work placements, student projects, seasonal or paid work, or other practical experience. We are looking for people with the motivation, reliability and potential to learn.

The roles involve regular travel to NCP compensation sites and working outdoors in a range of conditions, so a full current driving licence and regular access to a vehicle are essential.

The successful applicant will be employed by Amphibian Reptile Conservation and seconded full-time to the Newt Conservation Partnership.

Newt Conservation Partnership (NCP) is a community-benefit society whose main purpose is creating and managing high-quality habitat for great crested newts, at the same time providing new habitats for many other wetland plants and animals. We work closely with our funder, Nature Space Partnership, and the charities Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and Freshwater Habitats Trust whose evidence-based best practice guidance we follow for the conservation of amphibians and ponds.

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) is the leading independent UK charity dedicated to conserving amphibians and reptiles and their habitats. Together, ARC and FHT work with NCP to support the delivery of high-quality great crested newt habitat creation, management and monitoring.(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

Freshwater Habitats Trust is a friendly, nationally well-respected conservation charity that works to protect freshwater wildlife through practical, evidence-based and effective nature conservation projects. This job is an exciting opportunity to join a dedicated team of botanists, invertebrate biologists, herpetologists and freshwater conservation experts who are making a difference.

No CVs or agencies please.

Closing date: Friday 4 September 2026 (midday)

Interviews: Tuesday 15 & Friday 18 September