Location
Heathland House, Heather Farm, Woking, Surrey GU21 4XY. The role requires daily travel to the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA), covering parts of Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey. Occasional weekend, early morning and evening work is required.

Hours
Full time with occasional weekend, early morning and evening work as needed.

Salary
£28,910 per annum

About the Role
This role is based within Natural England’s Thames Solent Area Team and supports the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership (TBHP). The Education Warden will primarily assist the Education & Engagement Officer in delivering the ‘Our Amazing Heathlands’ education programme, which includes planning and delivering curriculum-linked education sessions in schools and other settings across the TBH area. The role also involves engaging with the public on the SPA to raise awareness of its importance, wildfire prevention, and promoting Suitable Accessible Natural Greenspace (SANG) sites as alternatives.

Additional responsibilities include supporting the team’s warden and communications functions by creating social media content, writing articles, and collecting survey data. The role also involves participation in the Heathland Hounds project, which focuses on engaging dog walkers to encourage responsible behaviour to protect the SPA and its protected species.

The Education Warden will work closely with SPA landowners, local authorities, Wildlife Trusts, the RSPB, Ministry of Defence, Forestry Commission, The Crown Estate, and other partners to deliver educational and engagement activities, organise events and pop-ups onsite, and support Heath Week activities.

Experience
- Delivering educational activities to children and young people in outdoor settings.
- Developing positive relationships with schools and community groups.
- Engaging confidently with the public, particularly in nature conservation or countryside access roles.
- Experience engaging with dogs and dog walkers.
- Knowledge of countryside access, rights of way, and nature conservation issues.

About you
- Ability to design, develop and deliver engaging and interactive educational sessions.
- Good written and verbal communication skills for effective interaction with internal and external partners.
- In-depth understanding of the Thames Basin Heaths SPA at a landscape level, including lowland heathland habitats, species, and pressures from recreational use.
- Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, and digital imaging.
- Knowledge of Natural England’s purpose and how this role contributes to its aims and objectives.

Qualifications
Degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) level qualification in countryside management, nature conservation, environmental science or a related discipline, or evidence of equivalent relevant experience.