How to find a job in research….outdoor/environmental

[Lovemusic82]

I haven’t got a great CV, haven’t worked for a while due to caring for a disabled child but I’m very knowledgeable in conservation (animals/plants) and the environment. I mad ND and love researching things as I hyper fixate on things of interest so a research job would be ideal, ideally outdoors. Do these none even exist…..other than on country file?
I have looked at the ‘wildlife trust’ and ‘RSPB’ but I can’t find much in my area or that’s part time. I am unable to work full time due to DD’s placement hours, so it needs to be within school hours unless it can be partly home based.

Have a look at the Countryside Jobs Service website. But paid work is hard to find, would you be open to volunteering? There are lots of options then. My DS and I both volunteer in the outdoors.

Hey @Lovemusic82 this is a tough ask I'm afraid. Jobs in conservation are in high demand despite low pay and most roles, especially those in research would require a Masters if not a PhD. If you have specialist skills like bird surveying, or botany there may be opportunities without formal qualifications (Rspb normally recruits field workers seasonally) but you really do need to be an expert. There are more habitat management type roles - they normally need experience in things like chainsaws and driving off road.

Volunteering if you can afford to do so is a great way to build connections/networks. Another option might be to take a non-expert role like admin within an organisation. RSPB, Woodland Trust, Wildlife Trusts really are the main players. Though there will be smaller NGOs throughout the country so worth finding out exactly who operates in your area.

There are lots of opportunities to volunteer your time for research. You can help researchers identify animals in camera trap images form example.

Thank you, I have done some volunteer survey work and have been asked to do bird surveys (before building work). I could possibly volunteer for a local nature reserve and am happy to do that. I have looked at field work with the wildlife trust but I’m not sure they would take me on due to being over 40, I am physically fit but not sure about handling chainsaws 😬 (I’m very small). I have no PHD but I do have a diploma in mycology and I run my own guided walks.

Keep an eye on the National Trust careers website, they have jobs like this. Lots of part time ones too.

Also if you have anything like a local natural history society try following them on social media, ours is always sharing posts from all sorts of specialist groups wanting help with surveys etc.

@Lovemusic82 I just saw this posting and thought it might be of interest pivotalfuture.bamboohr.com/careers/48

Paid work in this sector will be difficult to come by and either be long/inflexible hours or manual/physical work.

Also unsociable hours with survey related work.

A lot of employers will also want at least an undergraduate degree first. Not all by any means but many. It’s really specialist work. But also usually very poorly paid which is a shame.

Keep looking on local charity websites - maybe even start by volunteering.

I was going to suggest The Wildlife Trusts, but I see someone got there before me.