Woodland Engagement Officer (Part-time)

Manx Wildlife Trust (MWT)
2.5 days per week (18.75 hours)
Based in Ramsey and Peel, with work across MWT woodland sites.  

Manx Wildlife Trust is looking for a friendly, enthusiastic Woodland Engagement Officer to help people enjoy, understand and care for our woodlands across the Isle of Man, with a special focus on Hairpin Woodland Park (HWP), Ramsey. 

This is a people-centred role at the heart of our work to protect nature and inspire communities to act for wildlife.

About the role

The Woodland Engagement Officer will lead public use and community engagement at Hairpin Woodland Park — MWT’s flagship community woodland in Ramsey, developed in partnership with the Rotary Club of Douglas and others. The park is being shaped with and for local people, as a welcoming space for wildlife, learning, wellbeing and everyday enjoyment.

Alongside this main focus, the role also supports engagement across Manx Wildlife Trust’s wider woodland sites, including exciting large-scale woodland creation and temperate rainforest restoration projects around the Island.

You will work closely with local communities, schools, volunteers and partners to grow positive, inclusive use of our woodland sites. Through events, activities, interpretation materials, learning programmes and wellbeing sessions, you will help people build a lasting connection with nature and understand the long-term value of woodland restoration for wildlife, climate and society.

This role sits within our Engagement Team and works closely with colleagues across the organisation.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading public use and community engagement at Hairpin Woodland Park and beyond
• Building positive relationships with local communities and stakeholders
• Designing and delivering inclusive events, activities and learning sessions
• Supporting nature-based wellbeing and social prescribing programmes
• Helping develop interpretation and visitor information across woodland sites
• Supporting volunteering and corporate engagement linked to woodland projects

About you

We’re looking for someone who:

• Loves helping people connect with nature
• Has experience in community engagement, education, visitor experience or similar work
• Communicates warmly and confidently with a wide range of people
• Enjoys working outdoors as well as planning activities and events
• Builds strong, positive relationships with communities and partners
• Is organised, proactive and comfortable working independently

An interest in woodland conservation and nature-based wellbeing is essential. A full clean Isle of Man driving licence is required.

Hours, salary and benefits

• Part-time: 2.5 days per week (18.75 hours), including some evenings and weekends
• Flexible working pattern by agreement
• Salary: £27,191 – £27,978 full-time equivalent (pro-rata at 50%), depending on experience
• 5% employer pension contribution (after probation)
• 25 days annual leave plus Manx Bank Holidays (pro-rata), plus Christmas closure

Download the full Role Descriptor below. 

How to apply

To apply, please send your CV (maximum two pages) and a covering letter explaining your suitability for the role to:

Dr Carmel Croukamp, Head of Engagement

carmel@mwt.im

If you have any questions about the role, please also contact Carmel using the details above.

Key dates

• Application deadline: Monday 16 February, 9am
• Interviews: Monday 23 February (provisional)

In-person interviews are strongly preferred, though interviews via Microsoft Teams can be arranged if necessary.