Are you starting out or looking to switch into a career in conservation? Are you outgoing and like working with people? Do you have a flair for delivering engaging, creative learning experiences with young people and/or adults that break down barriers to accessing rivers and nature? If so, this Community Engagement Trainee role could be for you!

This is a 12-month paid training placement starting in Autumn/winter 2026 and is designed to be a launch pad for someone at the beginning of their career in conservation and/or community engagement.

Working alongside our team, you will gain practical experience supporting the planning and delivery of community events and volunteer work parties across the Eden catchment - including practical conservation activities, and you will organise and occasionally lead guided wellbeing walks and get involved in our public campaigns to stop the spread of invasive non-native species through ‘Check, Clean, Dry’ and the Big Balsam Bash.

These key work programmes form part of our Access to Eden: Breaking barriers, building bridges partnership project, led by Eden Rivers Trust and supported by a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

About you

You will be a confident communicator with the ability to make environmental and scientific topics accessible to a wide range of audiences. You will enjoy working outdoors, engaging with people from different backgrounds, and inspiring others to care for and protect local waterways.

As regular travel across the catchment is required, you must hold a full UK driving licence.

About us

Eden Rivers Trust is the conservation charity standing up for Eden’s rivers; changing perceptions of rivers, enhancing, and protecting the river environment so that people and nature in Cumbria can thrive.

Our vision is clean and healthy rivers, providing a brighter future for all. Since 1996, we have worked with partners, volunteers, and communities to restore rivers, improve habitats, promote natural flood management, support water-friendly farming, and increase access to nature.

As a Trust we are Rethinking rivers. For good.

How to apply

Visit the Eden Rivers Trust website for more information and apply. https://edenriverstrust.org.uk/vacancies/community-engagement-trainee-2026/

Applications close 9am, Monday 05 October, 2026. We may close this vacancy earlier should we receive enough suitable applications. Therefore, if you are interested, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Interviews will be held week commencing 12 October, 2026

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