Application pack and role description
Summary
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Youth for Climate and Nature Placement
YouCAN Intern
CLOSING DATE: 10am Tuesday 11 November
01590646649 | recruit@newforestnpa.gov.uk
ABOUT YOUTH FOR CLIMATE AND NATURE (YouCAN)
Thank you for your interest in this YouCAN placement.
The £1.4 million YouCAN scheme was launched in October 2023 to empower young people between 11 and 25 to understand and lead climate action within their communities.
YouCAN also supports green skills and jobs, and an outdoor learning programme for young people from all backgrounds to explore urban, rural, coastal and freshwater areas.
The projects within the scheme span 300 square miles across the New Forest, Southampton and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and are led by the New Forest National Park Authority in partnership with the Countryside Education Trust in Beaulieu; Freshwater Habitats Trust; The Parks Foundation in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; Southampton National Park City project; Theatre for Life, and care and support charity Alabaré.
This trainee role is based with the New Forest National Park Authority, supporting their areas of work within the project. You can find out more information on the link below:
Youth for Climate and Nature (YouCAN) scheme - New Forest National Park Authority
We’re particularly interested in receiving applications from young people aged 18 – 25 years old, those who are from ethnically diverse backgrounds, who are living with a disability or are from low-income households. Anyone with an interest in a new green career is welcome to apply.
You’ll get paid a good wage from a placement that helps the environment and learn loads of skills to boost your CV, in addition to having access to development opportunities through the New Forest Green Careers Network. There’ll also be opportunities to learn about potential careers in the natural environment, and (should you wish to) connect with other YouCAN partner organisations.
This is a unique opportunity to try something new, and to take a first step on a career path where you can make a real difference. The natural environment needs you!
We hope you will join us on this exciting journey!
ABOUT NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY
Our mission
There are 15 national parks in the UK. Known as Britain's breathing spaces, national parks are areas of spectacular landscape which are protected so everyone can visit and enjoy them. As guardians of a national park the New Forest National Park Authority we have two purposes and a duty:
- To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area
- To promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Park by the public.
- Working in partnership with other organisations it is also the Authority's duty to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of the local communities within the National Park.
As well as our planning, nature conservation and public engagement responsibilities, our services include education, recreation and archaeology. Our recent partnership plan sums up our themes of work as climate, nature, people, place and partnership.
Our values
We have strong connections local communities, charities and businesses, pulling together to drive change and inspire positive action. We want to be a National Park that embraces and benefits from the diversity of thoughts, ideas and ways of working that people from different communities, backgrounds, experiences and identities offer.
- Purpose - We are dedicated to our work
- Achievement - We innovate, inspire and deliver success
- Care - We strive to be sustainable in all we do
- Teamwork - We work together with openness, integrity and respect
Visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk to explore who we are and what we do.
Benefits of working with us:
- Flexible working, including home working options
- Holiday Entitlement 23 days per annum pro-rata
- Pension scheme
- Training and support provided, on the placement and formal training
- Friendly and supportive work environment
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
APPLICATION
Returning the application form
The closing date for completed application forms to be received is 10am on Tuesday 11 November 2025. Make sure you return your application so it arrives on or before this date, as applications received after the given date will not be considered. Please return completed applications to recruit@newforestnpa.gov.uk
You don’t have to sign your application at this stage. Your application must be submitted in a compatible format such as Word or a PDF.
INTERVIEWS
We will contact you to let you know whether you have been shortlisted for interview.
Interviews will be held in Lymington on Tuesday 2 December, with an anticipated start date for the role in late January 2026.
If you have any questions about the role, application or interview process please contact us at: recruit@newforestnpa.gov.uk
JOB DESCRIPTION
1 Job details
| Job title: | YouCAN Intern (Fixed-term contract for 6 months) |
|---|---|
| Team: | Education & Youth |
| Post number: | TBC |
| Hours per week: | Up to 35 |
| Grade: | Band 2 |
| Base: | Town Hall, Avenue Road, Lymington |
| Accountable to / supervisor: | Youth Development Officer |
| Car user: |
|
| Does this post involve working with children and/or vulnerable people? | Yes – DBS check required |
| Key liaisons: | New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) staff, Staff and volunteers at partner organisations, |
2 Role summary
2.1 To undertake a work placement in a climate and nature-focused role as part of the Youth for Climate and Nature (YouCAN) project.
3 Main duties and responsibilities
3.1 Work with a combination of services including engagement, education, communications and net zero. Learning to include, but not limited to, New Forest wildlife, heritage, access, climate and nature recovery.
3.2 Shadow different staff and teams to learn from National Park professionals including planning officers, rangers, access, heritage, education and communications staff.
3.3 Take opportunities to participate in staff development, consultations and staff events and take part in our early careers branch.
3.4 Work with our partners to learn how contrasting organisations operate and deliver to the public.
3.5 Inspire others such as school groups and work experience students by sharing your learning
3.6 Day-to-day work could include:
- Communicating key ‘Caring for the New Forest’ messages face-to-face with the public e.g., animal safety, litter
- Planning and delivery of public activities and events including climate and nature education and practical conservation volunteering in liaison with other members of the Education and Youth Team
- Archiving important records and resources
- Creating and updating resources for our website in draft format to be approved by more senior officers
- Undertake a directed research project that could inform our future work
- Opportunities to work alongside the NFNPA communications team to create content for online press and social media to highlight our work and key New Forest issues
4 Problem solving
4.1 The postholder will receive training in delivering the main duties.
4.2 Resolve day-to-day problems
4.3 Deal with simple enquiries, referring to the line manager or other team members if unsure.
5 Decision making
5.1 Line manager sets targets and objectives but the postholder will be required to act on their own initiative on occasion referring to the line manager or other team members for guidance.
5.2 Make day to day decisions relating to prioritising workload. Refers to the line manager for anything unusual.
6 Operational responsibility
6.1 Occasional access to sensitive and confidential information requiring a clear understanding of why such information is not yet in the public domain.
7 Communication
7.1 Communicate effectively with NPA colleagues, staff and volunteers at our partner organisations and, if required, the general public.
7.2 Contacts are 50% internal 50% external (all overseen by either the Education and Youth team or the Communications team).
8 Working conditions
8.1 Work from an office base but will spend time within and just outside the boundary of the National Park. One to two days a week are working outdoors depending on the season.
8.1 The working hours for this post include the need to work some weekends/bank holidays. Up to 30 such days a year, taking account of event programmes.
8.2 This post will involve working with young people or vulnerable adults and will require appropriate checks.
9 General
9.1 The post holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to NPA policies and procedures.
9.2 All staff have a responsibility to participate in the NPA’s Appraisal Scheme and to contribute to their own development.
10 Job description agreement
10.1 The above Job Description is not intended to be exhaustive. The duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time according to the changing needs of the service.
Job holder’s signature:
Date
Manager’s signature:
Date
Person Specification
YouCAN Intern
| Essential criteria | Assessed by |
|---|---|
| Qualities | |
| Reflective – aware of own thoughts, keen to improve and try new things | A / I |
| Keen to learn – professional can-do attitude and willingness to learn new skills | A / I |
| Caring – Has passion and respect for the environment and heritage | A / I |
| Flexible – Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and find creative solutions | A / I |
| Skills | |
| Competent in the use of IT (Microsoft Office is desirable) | A / I |
| Supportive and co-operative team member with ability to work independently using own initiative | A / I |
| Good English language skills, to communicate effectively | A / I |
| Organised, motivated, dedicated (willing to commit for the length of the contract) | A / I |
| Interested in… | |
| Gaining experience of assisting with countryside events, outdoor activity sessions and associated media | A / I |
| Gaining experience in a busy office, working as a team to respond to public requests in good time and in a professional way | A / I |
| Interacting with people from all backgrounds, helping them to access the outdoors and connect with nature | A / I |
| The aims of the NPA and special qualities of the National Park | A / I |
| Willing to… | |
| Work outside normal office hours on occasions | A / I |
| Work outdoors in all weathers, and able to stay positive in the face of challenges | A / I |
| Navigate and travel to remote locations with colleagues or work alone | A / I |
Evidence assessed by key:
A = Application
I = Interview
SUPPORT AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
New Forest National Park Authority will provide support for participants, including:
- 1-month induction with our teams, finding your strengths and areas of interest
- Project work that you can see through from start to finish and add to your CV
- Access to online training and employee support with a broad range of topics
- Externally funded training e.g., first aid in the outdoors
- Access to development opportunities through the New Forest Green Careers Network
- Peer mentoring and support through the New Forest National Park Authority Early Careers Group
