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Tor to Shore Helman Tor Reserves Officer

Closing date:
Salary: £27,628 per annum
Contract type: Fixed term / Working hours: Full time
Location:
Cornwall Wildlife Trust HQ, Five Acres, Allet, Truro, Cornwall , TR4 9DJ
The Helman Tor Reserves Officer will lead delivery of the Tor to Shore project at Helman Tor Nature Reserve, managing a 735-acre landscape to restore and maintain priority habitats for important wildlife. The role oversees conservation grazing, habitat restoration, species recovery, volunteer coordination, and improved public access, while helping establish a new operational hub. Managing staff and trainees and working with volunteers and stakeholders, the postholder will support landscape-scale nature recovery and strengthen community engagement to safeguard Cornwall’s natural heritage.

The Helman Tor Reserves Officer will lead the delivery of the ambitious Tor to Shore project at Helman Tor Nature Reserve, Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s largest and most ecologically significant site. Working across a 735-acre nationally designated landscape, the postholder will play a key role in restoring and managing a rich mosaic of priority habitats, including lowland heathland, species-rich grasslands, wetlands, woodland, and mire, supporting nationally and internationally important wildlife. 

The role will oversee the introduction and management of mixed conservation grazing using large herbivores, supporting natural habitat processes and long-term, low-input land management. Responsibilities include coordinating habitat creation and restoration works such as fencing, scrub clearance, glade creation, grassland restoration, wood-pasture development, and wildflower meadow creation, as well as contributing to species recovery for priority fauna and flora including marsh fritillary, willow tit, hazel dormouse, and rare plant species. 

Based at Creney Farm, the postholder will help establish a new operational hub for reserve management, supporting livestock care, equipment use, and staff and trainee development. The role also includes improving public access and engagement through enhanced infrastructure, waymarking, educational signage, and community facilities. 

A key element of the position is recruitment, training and management of annual trainees and the line management of the assistant reserves officer, who will assist in the management of the Helman Tor reserves. The postholder will also lead and coordinate regular volunteer work parties, delivering hands-on conservation in wildlife-sensitive or inaccessible areas. This includes supporting volunteers to gain practical skills, fostering an inclusive, intergenerational conservation community, and helping create pathways into careers in the environmental sector. 

Working closely with reserve trainees, volunteers, contractors, and stakeholders, the Helman Tor Reserves Officer will contribute to landscape-scale nature recovery, strengthening habitat connectivity beyond the reserve boundary and safeguarding Cornwall’s natural heritage for the future. 

This is a full time (37.5 hours per week), 5-year fixed term role, subject to confirmation of funding.

Benefits:

  • Cornwall Wildlife Trust operates excellent toil and flexible working policies
  • Enhanced company holiday entitlement – starting at 25 days plus bank holidays and rising to a maximum 30 days over a period of time (1 day extra for each year worked after 4 complete years served)
  • Christmas Business Closure for 2026
  • All employees have access to the Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 counselling service) and Employee health and wellbeing portal
  • Free onsite parking at Five Acres
  • Stakeholder pension scheme (subject to eligibility) 

To Apply:

Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability, along with the attached completed Pre-Employment Requirements form to recruitment@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk by Midnight on Friday 20 February 2026.

We will not accept applications without all of the above submitted 

We reserve the right to close the vacancy before the closing date if we receive suitable applicants. 

The first round interviews are planned for Wednesday 25 February 2026, this can be subject to change.

Disability Confident Employer: 

At Cornwall Wildlife Trust, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace that values diversity and champions the unique talents of every individual. As a proud Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to creating an environment where everyone, regardless of ability, can thrive and contribute to our collective success.

As part of our commitment to accessibility, we offer alternative formats for the application process, ensuring that individuals with varying needs can apply with ease. Whether you prefer an alternative application form, Braille, large print, or any other format that suits your requirements, we are here to accommodate you.

Moreover, our interview process is designed to be supportive and considerate. We understand that everyone has different requirements, and we are committed to making reasonable adjustments to ensure a comfortable and accessible interview experience. If you have specific needs or preferences, please let us know in advance, and we will do our utmost to accommodate them.

By choosing to be part of our team, you are joining an organisation that prioritises inclusivity and values the unique contributions of every team member. We celebrate diversity and recognise that our differences make us stronger. Apply now to embark on a journey with us, where your abilities are celebrated, and your individuality is embraced.

Equal Opportunities: 

We are committed to ensuring transparent and non-discriminatory recruitment and employment. As a progressive charitable organisation, we champion equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristic.

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