Area monitoring warden

About the role

Dorset Heaths Partnership (DHP) is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our team in a rewarding part‑time role supporting visitor monitoring across the beautiful Dorset Heaths.

About Us

DHP is a unique collaboration of 10 organisations, including local authorities, conservation bodies, and emergency services. Hosted by Dorset Council, we work together to protect internationally important heathland habitats and mitigate pressures from further urban development upon heathland sites across south east Dorset.

About the Role

As an Area Monitoring Warden, you’ll play a vital role in helping us understand how people use the Dorset Heaths and how we can better protect these special environments. Working alongside our Monitoring Officer within a friendly, multi‑disciplinary team, you will:

• Organise and collect visitor data across a range of heathland sites
• Maintain and analyse datasets, including:
  • Remote people‑counting sensors
  • Visitor surveys
  • Car park monitoring transects
• Record and map incidents using GIS‑based systems
• Contribute to ongoing assessment and management of heathland pressures

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys both fieldwork and data analysis, and who is passionate about conservation.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Holds a qualification in ecology, countryside management, or has relevant experience
• Has (desirable) experience in visitor data collection or analysis
• Works well both independently and as part of a team
• Has strong organisation and communication skills
• Can travel across the partnership area as required

A DBS check will be required prior to appointment.

Further Information

• Fixed‑term contract until 31 March 2028
• Part‑time: 22.5 hours per week

Find out more

For further details, please refer to the context statement or explore the monitoring work on the Dorset Heaths website: Monitoring - Dorset Heaths Partnership (dorsetheaths.org.uk)

Contact: Chloe Lewis – chloe.lewis@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Travel and Background Checks

• This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed.
• This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See policy on the employment of ex‑offenders.

Interview Date

Interviews will be held 20th July.

Equal Opportunity

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible; if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

Right to Work

This role is UK‑based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process.