The role reports into and supports Leckford’s ‘ Technical Lead for Regenerative Agriculture’ in advancing nature-friendly farming practices on our own farm and in providing technical expertise to Waitrose’s Farming for Nature team.
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Salary- up to circa £40k (depending on experience)
Contract type - This position is a Fixed Term contract/ (Internally a Secondment) from approximately mid November 2025 until approximately end November 2026
Location - This role is based at Leckford Estate, Hampshire.
Key responsibilities
What we’re looking for:-
● Proven experience in a conservation officer or wildlife warden role, and would relish the opportunity to make a positive difference, enhancing biodiversity across the 2,800 acres of the John Lewis Partnership’s estate.
● A trained ecologist who would love a role that uses this scientific understanding to excel in preparing and delivering a landscape and nature conservation and enhancement plan for our estate.
● Happy at ‘getting their hands dirty’, making things happen on the ground, turning plans into actions.
● Wide experience of biodiversity monitoring, and the skills to set up and carry out a monitoring programme, including recruiting volunteers
● Attention to detail in all aspects of work and a commitment to excellence in all areas.
● Self-assured, self-motivated, flexible and adaptable.
● Progressive mindset, and a collaborative and innovative approach to problem-solving, including supporting academic and practical ecological research on the estate.
● Ability to communicate with different audiences.
● Good health and safety awareness.
● Good understanding of the Partnership and shares the Partnership’s values.
External applicants- You can view the job outline and a further document to explain the role by viewing the PDF attachments
Essential skills/experience you’ll need
Qualifications
Minimum Level 3 diploma in nature/wildlife conservation is essential (a relevant degree in ecology or similar would be desirable as the role requires a scientific understanding)
Chainsaw certificates (chainsaw maintenance, cross-cutting, felling small trees).
Certificate in safe use of brushcutters/strimmers.
Experience
Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar role, e.g. conservation officer, wildlife warden.
Managing/supervising conservation projects
Taking part in conservation volunteer activities
Maintaining computer-based records.
Practical experience of scrub clearance, hedge-planting, hedge-laying, coppicing, chainsaw operation.
Talking to groups from various backgrounds about farmland biodiversity
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To learn more about this role, please copy and paste this link into a new browser window: https://embed.wirewax.com/8158302Closing Date:
August 17, 2025
Pay:
Contract Type:
Hours of Work:
Job Level:
Where You'll Be Working:
Leckford Estate, Leckford Estate Office, Leckford, Hampshire, SO20 6DAABOUT THE PARTNERSHIPWe’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.
We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.
As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.
We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.
As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.
Important points to note:
It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.
We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.
We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.