Why work at Kent Wildlife Trust?
The breadth of our roles is far-reaching; a varied and agile mix of essential practical conservation delivery, complemented by species reintroduction and new and emerging fields and technologies. But this only scratches the surface of what we do. Collectively, we are progressive and work at pace and scale to deliver our driving goal of 30% of Kent’s land and sea displaying increased climate resilience and containing abundant wildlife by 2030.
When you think of a local conservation charity, some essential but obvious jobs and fields may spring to mind, but think again! Kent Wildlife Trust is as diverse in its structure as nature itself and there are many differing areas of work you could be involved in if you come and work for us, such as:
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Wilder People and Places - Nature Recovery, Planning and Policy, Community Organising and Wilder Landscapes
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Nature Based Solutions - researching existing and upcoming green finance options (e.g., Nutrient Neutrality, BNG, carbon), monitoring and evidence ensuring decisions are being led by the best available science, NbS projects across Kent supporting the Conservation strategy.
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Land Management - practical delivery on coastal sites, ancient woodland, wetlands, chalk downlands, precious heathland and through wilder grazing
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Digital Development - commercial income through web application or mapping and modelling, internal efficiencies and data driven decision making
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Education and Lifelong Learning - connecting people with nature through education and engagement programmes, Wilder Kent Awards, nature-based wellbeing programmes and commercial income through events
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Marketing, Communications and Advocacy - maximising internal and external channels to communicate our vision and champion the brand and values of Kent Wildlife Trust
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Membership and Income Generation - fundraising, bid development, membership and corporate partnerships.
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Operations - support services including finance, IT and comms, people and volunteering and connecting people to nature through our visitor centers
But more than that, at Kent Wildlife Trust, we understand that exceptional teams are built on a foundation of shared values, meaningful work, and a culture of collaboration and respect. Here's what our employees say to show that joining our team could be the best career move you'll ever make:
I believe we're making a real difference for wildlife in Kent, with positive change not only in the countryside, but also in the way people think and behave.
I am both doing something for wildlife and working with local communities.
My work is necessary and will have a wider impact on the charity’s ability to be impactful with their work and income streams.
I have the opportunity to meet volunteers and staff all over the Trust, and can help them when needed whether this is related to work or their well-being.
Our benefits
We offer exceptional enhanced benefits, setting us apart from other charitable organisations and positioning us as an employer of choice. We understand the holistic support our people need to work with passion and agility and that candidates are increasingly considering benefits packages when evaluating job offers. We acknowledge that due to the sector we work in, our staff are more susceptible to wellbeing pressures related to the climate and nature crises we face as a society.
We strive to set the bar for a flexible and supportive working environment that provides the tools and vehicles by which diverse individuals can maintain their health and wellbeing, going above and beyond our legal responsibilities. By investing in this support and well-being, we have created a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
You may be a skilled conservationist with your pick of opportunities, taking your first steps into the field, looking for a change, or anywhere in between. Whatever stage of your career, at Kent Wildlife Trust our robust and competitive benefits can be the deciding factor when clinching your decision to come and work with us.
Agile working
In today's dynamic world, flexibility is key. We understand that life isn't just about being tied to a desk from 9 to 5 and that’s certainly not the culture or expectation at Kent Wildlife Trust. That's why we embrace and encourage agile working from day 1.
Our commitment to flexibility means you have the freedom to manage your work schedule in a way that suits your lifestyle, whether it's working remotely, adjusting your hours, or collaborating in our work hubs. The application of various elements of agile working will always be subject to business need first and the agreement of any requests to work from home will depend on whether or not the role can be done effectively from a home base in addition to other considerations such as health and safety.
Fair pay & financial benefits
We value the contributions of every team member and believe in fair compensation for hard work. Our competitive salary packages are complemented by a range of financial benefits, including performance-related pay schemes, regular salary reviews, competitive pension contributions, Group Life Assurance, and access to financial wellbeing advisory services.
Enhanced sick pay
It’s an inevitability – from time to time, you may feel unable to work due to illness. We offer enhanced sick pay and some time off for elective surgery and gender reassignment from day one of employment.
Photo by Phil Hearing on Unsplash
Cycle to Work scheme
The most eco-friendly means of travelling to work is to walk or cycle – and the Cycle scheme makes this a reality. Through our easy-to-use salary sacrifice initiative, you can get bikes and accessories through the trust. Plus, you can conveniently spread the cost over your 12-month salary and make savings via tax.
Tech and Ikea scheme
Employees can get the latest tech and Ikea products through our scheme. It enables you to spread the cost with up to 12 payments from your salary across 12 months, while also making a National Insurance saving of up to 12%. You get the peace of mind of knowing you own the products from the beginning – and there’s also no end-of-hire fee.
Complimentary eye tests
KWT can, if requested by a user (as defined by HSE), offer a Specsavers eye and eyesight test to be carried out. We may be able to offer either a fixed sum or eyecare voucher towards the test and any glasses prescribed subsequently.
Incremental annual leave allowance and holiday purchase
Conservation takes passion and dedication – and to do a great job, we all need a break once in a while! At Kent Wildlife Trust, we offer 23 days of annual leave for all new starters, which increases by one day for every two full years of service, up to a maximum of three extra days (pro rata). Bank Holiday entitlement for full-time staff is 8 days per year (pro-rata for part-time staff). This is all complemented by additional days off over Christmas when the main offices are closed.
You also have the option to purchase up to one week of additional annual leave, whereby the value of the additional leave is paid for through a reduction in salary over 12 months of the same annual leave year (or the remaining months of the annual leave year where the holiday is purchased part-year).
Investment in you
Two paid volunteering days
Enjoy two additional days off each year to support the cause of your choice by volunteering your time – be it internally, with Kent Wildlife Trust, or for another charity.
Family friendly
We are incredibly proud of our inclusive family offer. You will benefit from 12 weeks’ full maternity pay, 6 weeks’ full paternity pay, 12 weeks’ full adoption and Shared Parental leave pay, 1 week of full pay carers leave, and paid time off for fertility treatment for qualifying employees from day one of employment.
There might also be times when you need some extra flexibility to accommodate your parenting responsibilities, so we offer qualifying employees parental leave.
Employee Assistance programme
Your health and wellbeing are very important to us. At Kent Wildlife Trust, you have a dedicated online resource designed to support you. As well as providing counselling and CBT training, the online portal provides confidential access to wellbeing fact sheets, videos, self-help programmes, interactive tools, and educational resources to help with life’s challenges.
Annual wellbeing programme
We invest in an extensive and considered wellbeing programme throughout the year to support you on your KWT journey. Workshops and webinars on areas such as mindfulness, healthy eating, stress, overwhelm, and change are just some of the issues we address. Dynamic topics are given a deep dive when particular issues may rear up. You can also enjoy a weekly wellbeing hour on us with no questions asked as to what ‘wellbeing’ looks like for you, it’s your time to enjoy.
Investment in training and career development
We actively support your personal learning and development through regular Wildlife Trust training courses. We support your development by funding professional memberships and encouraging you to take external learning opportunities which we will finance.
Sabbatical
The Trust recognises that a break can be a good thing for our long-term employees. Therefore, there is an unpaid period of up to three months available for sabbatical leave at the end of each continuous five years worked for the Trust.
Wilder Recognition Programme
We give the opportunity to recognise the achievements and milestones people have reached and acknowledge and appreciate the hard work, dedication, and accomplishments of our exceptional colleagues via long service awards, quarterly SMT award, annual employee Appreciation Awards ceremony, ‘shout outs’, and Thank You gift cards.
Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity, and Belonging (EDIB)
Kent Wildlife Trust Group has an EDIB Group full of voluntary members who work, alongside their day job, to make KWTG a more inclusive organisation. The EDIB Group supports all departments to improve the working conditions for underrepresented groups, including but not exclusively: disability, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, neurodiversity, and religion or belief.
Learn more about the EDIB Group here!
Working towards a Wilder Kent, together
Joining Kent Wildlife Trust isn't just about finding a job—it's about becoming part of a community dedicated to meaningful action and positive change for wildlife and communities in Kent and beyond. Join us in our mission to create a Wilder Future, where passion, purpose, and every contribution makes a difference.
Take a look at our job opportunities & learn more about working with us