We are recruiting !  Thanks to funding from the Bentley Environmental Foundation we are recruiting for a 6 month Water Environmental Management Trainee role focused on the Valley Brook in Crewe, Cheshire.

Location: Crewe/Cheshire

Contract type: Fixed term 6 months

Salary: Real Living Wage £23,400 (Full Time Annual Salary Equivalent) and telephone allowance (£20/month)

Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week

Overview:

Mersey Rivers Trust is the principal environmental charity working to improve the quality of rivers across the Mersey Basin. Our projects range from river restoration and catchment management schemes (such as Natural Flood Management) through to public engagement and communications. Project values range from £20k to over £1m. 

This is an excellent opportunity for a young person to gain valuable experience and training in the area of farm advice, agricultural engagement and environmental management. Working with a dynamic and enthusiastic team the role offers a wide variety of activities which will help to further develop communication, planning, teamworking and engagement skills 

A Traineeship post open to anyone between the ages of 18 and 25 years old that meets the requisite skills and competency requirements set out below. The post holder will develop on-the-job skills, experience and knowledge in water environmental management in the context of an eNGO / Third Sector organisation, as well as receive external training in a range of relevant national qualifications (including City and Guilds Land Based Services).

The role is for a fixed term period of 6 months linked to grant funding. 

Training, Learning and Development: 

Full training will be provided by Mersey Rivers Trust staff for the range of activities carried out by the Trust’s Project Managers, including: water quality sampling and analysis; biological kick sampling and analysis; ecological/habitat surveys and reporting; GIS applications; grant writing; volunteer co-ordination; partnership and volunteer event co-ordination; project management and financial budget control; contractor management and stakeholder engagement.

The post holder will receive formal training delivered by a certified training organisation to achieve recognised City & Guilds Land Based Services qualifications in practical conservation management skills, plus other relevant training courses to be agreed with the post holder depending on previous experience and qualifications. Formal certified training will also be provided in first aid, health and safety for field workers and safeguarding.

The post holder will also receive career / personal development mentoring from one of the Trust’s Directors plus director/senior staff support towards the end of the fixed term appointment to help seek future employment with relevant organisations appropriate to the post holder’s career aspirations.

Key Duties:

The main duties of the role will be to support Mersey Rivers Trust staff in the delivery of its Valley Brook environmental enhancement and public engagement projects within the Crewe area of Cheshire. This will provide the post-holder with on-the-job training and work experience in all aspects of the Mersey Rivers Trust’s work, from co-ordination of community training and events, to water quality sampling and delivery of river restoration projects. The post holder will be supervised by a Project Manager or Senior Project Manager, but will be expected to take ownership and lead specific tasks following appropriate training/competence development.

Candidate Profile:

• GCSEs (or equivalent qualifications) in maths and English is essential. Education to A level (or equivalent qualifications) in relevant subjects or equivalent relevant vocational qualifications is desirable.
• Valid driving licence and own vehicle, insured for business use is essential.
• Competent and confident in the use of email, Excel and Word. Experience in GIS and Powerpoint would be desirable, along with social media (Facebook, Twitter).
• An interest in the outdoors, rivers and nature conservation as well as an appreciation of factors involved in working in the environmental sector and a good understanding of rivers and the water environment
• Ability to work flexibly, including some early mornings, some evenings and some weekends/bank holidays. A time-off in lieu system is operated by the Trust.
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Good written communication skills
• Ability to engage with people of all ages and background
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Willingness to work outdoors throughout the year

Annual leave: 28 days annual leave pro rata plus bank holidays. 

Location: Home-Based. The work will include some home-based computer / planning activities, alongside working across the Mersey catchment area, both indoors (e.g. in community spaces) and outdoors.

Travel expenses: travel expenses will be paid for all work-related travel within the Mersey catchment (Greater Manchester and Cheshire and part of the High Peak district of Derbyshire). Candidates living outside the catchment area will need to cover their own travel costs from their home to the catchment boundary. 

To apply: 

If you wish to apply, please send a CV (no more than two sides of A4) and covering letter (no more than two sides of A4), outlining how you meet the requirements of the person specification and job description and why you want to work for Mersey Rivers Trust. Please email your application to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Applications must be received by email no later than the end of 19^th February 2024.

If you would like more information about the role before submitting an application, you may contact us via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.