Placement Opportunities 2023/24 Gloucestershire
Job description
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) - various sites
WWT Placements for August 2023 in Living Collection (Animal Care) or Practical Reserve Management
Almost all life depends on wetlands for water, food, or habitat. Yet a third of all wetlands have been destroyed.
WWT are the UK’s leading wetland conservation charity. We are pioneers in saving threatened wetland wildlife, a centre for excellence in conservation science and experts in wetland management and creation. We also welcome one million visitors every year to our unique wetland reserves as we believe that showing people first-hand how amazing wetlands are is the best way to ignite a passion to conserve them. We draw on over seven decades of experience in wetland conservation to ensure wetlands are put centre stage.
Going forward we have big ambitions; a bigger, better and more connected network of UK wetlands; connecting more people with wetlands and their value; leading community-led and sustainable solutions to wetland communities around the world; influencing key international decision makers on the value and protection of wetlands.
To support us in these aims, and develop the wetland heroes of the future, we are delighted to be able to offer a range of placements starting in August 2023, most of which run for 12 months. Full details of the roles and applications forms are at https://www.wwt.org.uk/placements
Living Collection (Animal Care) - We have placements available at a number of our centres for those looking to gain practical experience in different areas of animal husbandry and management as well as maintaining and developing exhibits in order to improve welfare standards for our animals, and enhance the visitor experience. The animals that you will work with vary from centre to centre, birds feature heavily but some include mammals and one is all about ectotherms.
Practical Reserve Management - Placements at one of our beautiful WWT wetland sites around the UK will offer applicants a range of practical experiences in wetland management, species monitoring and visitor engagement. Each site offers its own highlights and opportunities but all roles would suit those who enjoy being part of small enthusiastic teams, have a good variety of practical skills and love being outdoors in all seasons.
Placements at WWT
Our placements are targeted at sandwich placement students and aim to give a wide variety of practical experiences and training and development opportunities both through formal training sessions and through working side-by-side with our knowledgeable staff. While many of our teams are small they are supported by a passionate group of volunteers who add to the diversity of knowledge, skills and experience of the team.
Our placements either offer accommodation, either onsite or locally to the centre, or a cost of living contribution. Please see our placements webpage for more details. https://www.wwt.org.uk/placements
Training and development are an important part of a placement and there will be an initial training period at the start of your placement followed by further relevant training opportunities during your time with us. To help capture all that you have learned, each placement is given a Learning Log during their induction to capture all your formal and informal learning and keep a record of reviews with your line manager.
If you are required to do a personal project by your college or university during your placement you will be supported by your line manager to select a suitable project and develop and deliver it during your time with us.
All placements will be provided with suitable uniform for your role and relevant personal protective equipment as well as a name badge which will enable you to visit any of our WWT sites free of charge and have discount in the shops and cafes on certain ranges.
If applying for a placement as part of a university or college course please check that the placement is suitable and approved by your course provider. Should more information be required to do this please email [email protected] and we will be happy to help.
