Conservation Technician

Job reference:006276

Salary:£24,667.50 pa

Department:Education

Hours Per Week:37.5

Closing date:05/04/2026

Job Description

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ROLES DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF SPONSORSHIP

Exceptional People Deserve Exceptional Staff

About Shaftesbury Statement

Shaftesbury is a disability charity offering care, education, vocational and rehab services. The charity also provides residential care, nursing and supported living.

Within the education sector, Shaftesbury has one school, Shaftesbury Victoria School, and 2 further education colleges, Shaftesbury Millie College and Shaftesbury Nash College. The school is for students aged 3-19, and the colleges are for students aged 16-25. All students have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), as well as physical and/or intellectual disabilities, and some have profound and complex learning needs.

About the Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced individual to join the Shaftesbury Millie College Enterprise team as a Conservation Technician within the Cultivate team. This team focuses primarily on the outdoor Enterprise areas, including Horticulture and Conservation. The two areas work closely together, aligning curriculum areas with the natural environment.

You will be responsible for maintaining exceptional standards of care, ensuring the smooth running of Conservation Horticulture Enterprise activities on site. You will work directly with the Horticulture Technicians and liaising with the education team, operating and maintaining clean, safe and accessible learning environments. These areas include our wonderful plant nursery, consisting of greenhouse and polytunnels, as well as our extensive kitchen gardens and food forest. The conservation areas on site cover a variety of habitats including woodlands, wetlands and heathland on the 350-acre nature reserve. There are also designated conservation areas for learning and development around the site which include ponds, a forest school, bird hides, the cabin workshop and the accessible conservation paddock. Your role will focus on meeting individual needs with dignity and respect, creating an environment where every student feels valued and supported.

The successful candidate will be a dedicated, enthusiastic, self-motivated person with a passion for the outdoors, as well as supporting the learning of students during sessions in our unique college environment. You will need to be confident in Horticulture and Conservation Enterprise areas and take responsibility for identifying any areas of learning and growth within your role. You will also need a calm working approach, the ability to multi-task and be responsive to change, flexibility and commitment as weekend work will be required on a Rota basis. Part-time working patterns are available for this role, to be discussed with potential candidates.

Key Responsibilities

• Have a flexible oversight of each of the Conservation Horticulture enterprise areas across Shaftesbury Millie College
• Maintaining records for health & safety and compliance.
• Regularly inspect the grounds and Horticulture/Conservation structures for any health and safety concerns and ensure that they are maintained to a high standard at all times.
• Consistent communication with Enterprise managers to ensure effective enterprise delivery.
• Identifying any repairs or replacements of broken equipment and fencing, ensuring routine checks are in place.
• Be responsible for alerting the Estates Team in cases of site or buildings damage and any need for removal by contractors.
• Support on the ordering of materials, equipment and session resources for the Enterprise operation.
• To work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to improve experiences.
• To undertake any other duties which may be required
• To comply with all relevant Health and Safety procedures.
• To be prepared to work out of hours as/if necessary and regular weekend work as directed and agreed with your line manager.
• To be prepared to work at other local sites.
• To agree to work to all existing and future Shaftesbury / School policies.
• Support in College events and Open Days as required.
• Support in capturing information, progress and good news stories for our College newsletters and social media outlets.

Essential Skills & Qualifications

• To hold a relevant qualification in Conservation or an appropriate level of experience to carry out the role.
• To have due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people
• To follow the safeguarding procedures adopted by Shaftesbury and within the college policies.
• To work within the framework of the mission statements, aims, policies and procedures of the college and Shaftesbury and to support the Christian objectives of the organisation.
• To be committed to the development of opportunities for inclusion for all students attending the college and to promote equality of opportunity and cultural diversity.
• To accept a personal commitment to the responsibility for the education, care and development of all students attending the college.
• To promote and develop a team approach across all professional disciplines to the college's work.

Why Join Us?

What you will enjoy:

• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
• Access to great facilities and resources.
• Staff discount on food and at retail outlets.
• Free family tickets for our events programme.

Safeguarding

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Shaftesbury Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and staff. It is the responsibility of all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check and will follow our rigorous safer recruitment processes.

Equality and Diversity

Shaftesbury is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Shaftesbury aims to create and sustain an inclusive work environment which provides equality of opportunity for everyone and reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. The post holder is required to uphold the Equality and Diversity policy and comply with the code of conduct which sets out our standards of behaviour towards those who use our services or work within them.

Application Process

Job Description and Application Form on request – please contact: Cenan Chappell cchappell@victoria.poole.sch.uk

Closing date: 5^th April 2026

Interview Dates: W/C 9^th April 2026

Early applications are strongly encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the advert should we feel able to appoint an appropriate candidate before the above dates.

Visits to the setting are welcomed, and encouraged, by arrangement.