Exmoor National Park

Exmoor National Park was designated in 1954, as one of ten national parks in 
England and Wales established under the National Parks and Access to the 
Countryside Act 1949. The statutory purposes of national parks are to:
“conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the 
area and to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the 
special qualities of Exmoor by the public.”
Exmoor consists of 267 square miles of varied wild countryside, including 
moorland, woods, farmland, river valleys and a magnificent coastline.  About 
11,000 people live in the National Park which receives an estimated 1.4 million 
visitors each year.

You can visit the Authority’s website:  www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk

Exmoor National Park Authority

The Exmoor National Park Authority was set up under the Environment Act 1995 and 
became an independent body in April 1997. This is the 1st year ENPA has 
participated in this European funded training scheme. We can offer 2 trainee 
places. In addition to the package offered to all participants 

Trainee Conservation Assistants are based with the Conservation and Land 
Mananagment (CALM) Team.  Experience and training will be gained in a variety of 
national park duties working with tree and woodland, landscape, ecology, 
agricultural and land agent specialists. Work experience will cover.

* Survey work on ENPA, SSSI, National Nature Reserve, ASNW and privately owned 
woodland, moorland, farmland and coastal sites as part of landscape and 
management planning and Biodiversity Action Plan monitoring and reviewing
* Work with landscape specialists on landscape character appraisals
* Collating and reviewing existing survey data on a range of sites including use 
of Conservation Management System  (CMS) Software 
* Surveying County Wildlife Sites as part of Exmoor-wide review
* Rhododendron surveying and data inputting as part of ENPA co-ordinated Exmoor-
wide rhododendron project
* Consultation procedures with a range of statutory and non-statutory 
organisations

Two placements are sought. 

There will be opportunities for cross over into ENPA countryside management 
project work such as rights-of-way and practical site management work. 

Terms and Conditions

We will expect a commitment from trainees for the full placement period in order 
that all NVC modules are completed to the assessor’s satisfaction, that ENPA 
work programmes are completed and that trainees gain maximum benefit from their 
placements. 

Hours will be normal office hours i.e. 9.00am – 5.00pm depending on supervisors’ 
commitments. There is a flexi-time scheme in place and some weekend or evening 
work will be required for which time off in lieu can be taken. 5 days paid leave 
may be taken in addition to public holidays.

Trainees are not employed by Exmoor National Park Authority

During placement, trainees will be expected to conduct and present themselves in 
a manner which reflects the status and standing of the National Park Authority.

Essential Personal Protective Equipment will be made available as necessary.

Transport and Accommodation

It will be the trainees’ responsibility to ensure that they can travel to ENPA 
Offices in Dulverton for the duration of the placement. Mileage allowance is 
available for essential travel for work purposes in addition to travel to 
training events. Assistance with the cost of childcare is available, further 
details will be provided on request.

Eligibility/Qualifications

ENPA are looking for individuals with a genuine interest in a career with the 
National Parks or other agencies or authorities involved in conservation or 
landscape management. Applicants may have been involved in a voluntary or other 
capacity with such an organisation or are able to demonstrate their interest in 
some other way.

The work will involve meeting fellow officers of the Authority, representatives 
of other agencies and members of the public both residents and visitors 
initially accompanied but potentially unaccompanied. Trainees must be able to 
deal with inquiries, make decisions, solve problems and present information 
using IT and other media. 

Trainees will be required to travel throughout the national park and may need to 
negotiate difficult terrain and isolated sites in all weather conditions.

For further information please contact Graeme McVittie on 01398 323665
Interviews
Any applicants who have not heard from us by the date of the interview should 
consider their applications unsuccessful.