Overview

  • Sustainability and Environment Apprentice
  • £24,788 per annum, 37 Hours per week
  • 2 Year Fixed Term Contract
  • Coleford

About the role

Are you passionate about protecting the environment, improving local biodiversity, and driving sustainable change? Forest of Dean District Council has an exciting opportunity for a motivated Sustainability & Environment Apprentice to join our Environmental & Sustainability team. This role is ideal for graduates – particularly in business management, environmental science, geography, ecology, or project management – who are keen to build a career in sustainability, environmental planning, and data-driven decision-making.

As part of our friendly and experienced ecology team, you’ll gain hands-on experience supporting biodiversity projects, site visits, and climate action initiatives. You’ll help improve our environmental systems, assist with planning applications, and contribute to projects that enhance wildlife habitats and the natural value of our land. You’ll also be involved in data collection and analysis, supporting the council’s efforts to reduce pollution, boost recycling, and strengthen local ecosystems. A full UK driving licence is essential, as site work across the beautiful Forest of Dean is a key part of the role.

We’re looking for someone with great communication skills who can confidently engage with a wide range of stakeholders – from internal teams such as Planning, GIS and Estates to external partners including Natural England, the Environment Agency, and local councils. Whether you’re a recent graduate, someone with transferable skills looking for a career change, or simply passionate about sustainability, we’ll provide the in-house training and support you need to develop in the direction that suits your interests – whether that’s business systems or ecology.

This is an opportunity to make a tangible difference in a unique and biodiverse area, while gaining valuable skills and qualifications through your apprenticeship. If you’re enthusiastic, proactive, and keen to support the environmental future of the Forest of Dean, we’d love to hear from you.

A Funded NVQ level 3 training will be offered in connection with this role and may cover either Business Administration, Environmental Resources or Ecology. Training will be arranged by the council through an approved provider, exact course details to be agreed with the successful applicant and subject to the approval of the Council.  Please indicate in your supporting statement when you apply your preferred apprenticeship area: Business or Environment.

You will need

  • A minimum of 5 qualifications equivalent to NVQ level 2 or GCSE at Grade C/4 or above, must include Maths and English
  • The ability to take on new challenges and appetite to learn new skills
  • The ability to ‘self lead’ from clear instructions and raise questions when necessary.
  • The ability to pay attention to detail, record and assess data
  • The ability to be courteous, tactful and diplomatic when interacting with customers, colleagues and stakeholders
  • To demonstrates a commitment to attending and successfully completing relevant apprenticeship training

Special Conditions…

  • Full UK Driving Licence

For more information about this role please see the Job Description/Person Specification.

Closing date for applications: 7th December 2025

Interview date:17th and 18th December 2025

What can we do for you…

  • Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
  • Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
  • 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays, which increases to 30 days after five years of service
  • In addition you will have an extra two volunteering days a year for you to support a charity of your choice
  • Renewed again for another year there is a Health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
  • Generous contributory local government pension scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
  • Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements

Terms and conditions apply

These are just a handful of the benefits that you can enjoy when you join us! 

About us:

Forest of Dean District Council is dedicated to creating a vibrant and sustainable future for our community. Our priorities are centred on fostering thriving communities by empowering and engaging residents, enhancing infrastructure, promoting community well-being, and ensuring social equity. ​

We are committed to decarbonisation and nature recovery, focusing on renewable energy transitions, energy efficiency, transport transformation, nature recovery, and food resilience. Additionally, we strive to build a sustainable economy through the promotion of a circular economy, robust business support, workforce skill development, sustainable town initiatives, and the preservation of natural capital. ​

Accredited of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies – Please state this within your covering statement or in a separate email.

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable adults, young people and children.  Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies.

Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire; provide references;  proof of identity; nationality and immigration status; three years’ employment or education history (if applicable) and, in some cases, verification of criminal record.

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