Our ideal Assistant Conservation Officer applicant…
Has a keen long-term interest in owls and a passion for Barn Owl conservation. Be actively involved in nature conservation and have carried out practical tasks to encourage wildlife. In handling live wild birds they will be both confident and gentle.
They will have wide-ranging skills including creative writing, public speaking, DIY/woodwork, and practical land management. They will be very good with computers (especially database, email and website work) and happy to sit in front of one most of the time. They will be physically fit and keen on outdoor work in all weathers – even up a ladder! They will be interested in people and will enjoy talking about owls, nestboxes, habitats, and the Trust’s work.
They will be able to give inspirational presentations and will display genuine enthusiasm for Barn Owls and a deep knowledge of farmland bird conservation.
They will be just as happy talking to well-informed professionals as getting down on their knees to entertain and inform nursery school children.
Above all, they will be totally trustworthy and reliable with great interpersonal skills. They will be optimistic, enthusiastic about the environment, and far more interested in job satisfaction and happiness than money or material gain.
If you have most or all of these qualities then please write to us now!
If you’d rather wait until a job advert appears, keep an eye on our Job Vacancies page.
Job Vacancies
Conservation Team
Although vacancies in our Conservation Team don’t come up very often, we are always pleased to hear from anyone with a keen interest in Barn Owls seeking permanent employment in Barn Owl conservation. Here’s a brief outline of our ideal Assistant Conservation Officer applicant.
✨ Special Call To Action – Volunteer Aviary Cleaners ✨
Commitment: Once every 2-4 weeks for half a day.
Location: Near Ashburton, Devon
We are looking for a reliable and compassionate volunteer to help keep our aviaries clean, safe, and comfortable for the owls in our care. This is a hands-on role that genuinely makes a difference to the welfare of these beautiful birds.
What the role involves:
- Cleaning aviaries – including perching areas, water bowls and feeding stations
- Some basic maintenance tasks if possible
- Working quietly and calmly around birds
- Supporting the wider conservation work of the Trust
What we’re looking for:
- Someone reliable, practical, and comfortable working outdoor
- Reasonable physical fitness
- A gentle, respectful approach to wildlife
- Ability to commit to one session every two weeks
No prior experience is necessary, full guidance will be provided.
If you’d like to join us in supporting the conservation and care of Barn Owls, please email kaye@barnowltrust.org.uk.
✨ Special Call To Action – admin volunteers ✨
Are you organised, friendly, and keen to make a real difference? We’re a small conservation charity with a big mission, and we’re looking for one or two enthusiastic Admin volunteers to help keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. You’ll be supporting our everyday processes; from bulk scanning and making phone enquiries to packaging up our sales items. No previous admin or conservation experience is needed; we’ll provide all the training and support you need. All we ask is for a few hours of your time every couple of weeks, and we can be completely flexible around your availability! Please email Anne-Marie at info@barnowltrust.org.uk for more details or to express your interest.
Volunteering
Volunteers are vital!Weekly Volunteers generally come in 1 or 2 days a week, covering tasks such as aviary cleaning, car cleaning, woodwork, fieldwork, and grounds maintenance.Monthly Volunteers join in with monthly conservation tasks in our nature reserve (The Lennon Legacy Project), or office admin.Seasonal Conservation Work: Come and join our Conservation Team for a day doing practical work in our Lennon Legacy Project wildlife haven, which is managed for Barn Owls and other wildlife. Usually once a month.
See: Conservation Days for more information.Special Task Volunteers who come in less often to help with things like newsletter mailings, demolition jobs, or helping out at events. We also have a list of ‘owl transport volunteers’ who we can call on if an injured owl needs collecting or taking to the vets.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us telling us how much time you have available and what sort of things you’d like to do. We will then get in touch when we need you.
Here’s what our volunteers say:
“I collect and deliver injured owls taking them to and from the vets as required, and I also help in the office with things like mailings, packing sales goods, and odd things like wrapping lucky dip prizes. I’ve been an occasional volunteer for many years and enjoy the socialising as well as knowing that I’m doing something useful”. Margaret Rhodes.
“I come in for 1 or 2 days a week depending on my other commitments. I do all sorts of things including cleaning aviaries and cars, going out on fieldwork with the conservation team to navigate and carry ladders, working on the Trust’s land on conservation tasks and even helping out in the office when they need an extra pair of hands. It’s a great thing to do.” Kim Baker
Regular volunteers are a wonderful asset and their help is really appreciated. Having people we can call on to help out occasionally is also very important to us, especially to transport injured owls. If you are close enough you could help us with mailings – twice a year (spring and autumn), or come along on a conservation team day and help out with practical tasks on the Trust’s land – see our Events Diary for dates.
Wherever you live you could run a fundraising event like a coffee morning, a cheese and wine party, a jumble sale, or you could find homes for leaflet dispensers or donation boxes.
Our grateful thanks to all our volunteers – you really help to make a difference!
Who will you be working with? Staff & Volunteers Trustees