This is an ideal opportunity for anyone wishing to gain experience in working for a leading conservation organisation. Previous trainees have gone on to work for FWAG, English Nature, RSPB, Devon Wildlife Trust and DEFRA.

We are looking for a trainee to assist the Farm Conservation Advisers in Devon FWAG. The post will be based in Exeter but will cover the whole county. Don't forget that to qualify for this project you will have to live, or be willing to live, in an Objective 2 area - see the Ambios website for details.

The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) is an independent non-profit making charity. It is a national organisation and was set up in the late 1960s by a group of farmers and environmentalists who wanted to work together. FWAG was set up by farmers for farmers and is the lead organisation in delivering farm conservation advice.

The trainee assistant will act as part of a small team and will shadow the Farm Conservation Advisers in their day-to-day work. The core work is providing Devon farmers and landowners with advice on the enhancement of landscape, heritage and wildlife through environmentally responsible farming. This is achieved through the production of whole-farm conservation plans, Farm Biodiversity Action Plans and applications for agri-environmental schemes. Approximately half the time will be spent in the field with the advisers and half the time in the office report writing and catching up with administration.

The trainee assistant will help with all of the above work and will also be involved in promotional and fund raising activities.

Due to the varied nature of the work the trainee must be flexible, enthusiastic and committed to working in nature conservation.

The successful applicant may already have some of the following skills but will certainly wish to develop:

• Sound organisational abilities
• Good communication skills
• Understanding of farming systems and current farming issues
• Experience of working/dealing with farmers and landowners.
• Basic knowledge of a wide range of conservation and environmental issues.
• Report writing skills
• Computer confident
• It would be very useful to have your own car for all travel purposes.