Real Cool Futures - Eden Project

Assistant Warden

Information about Jon Steele
Name	Jon Steele
Location	North Wales
Company	National Trust

"Volunteering is really key to 'getting in'. It allows you to get to know a job, and employers love taking on someone who has volunteered for them."

Jon Steele

I'm Jon Steele, and I work as an Assistant Warden for the National Trust in Bangor, North Wales.
My job is mostly involved with the control of invasive plant species, but I also mend fences and make some furniture. I’m part of a small team; some of us are paid, whilst others are volunteers – volunteering is a great way to ‘get in’ somewhere.
My job gives me experience of many new skills, like quad driving and green wood-working. I love being in the woods and getting to know them intimately - and I see some amazing fungi!

Tell us about your job – where do you work and what do you do?

I work as an Assistant Warden on the Faenol Estate in Bangor, North Wales. It's a large estate with grazed land and woodland, and I'm part of a small team. Most of my job is to control invasive plant species, such as rhododendron, by cutting and burning. I also mend fences, and build rustic benches and other furniture.

What inspired you to do what you do? How did you get into it, did you have a plan?

My love of trees and woods inspired me, and my plan arose from completing a 4-year undergraduate course at Bangor University. After graduating, I worked for the Woodland Trust, and volunteered for the National Trust.

Why is your job meaningful? Both to you personally, and in how it benefits the wider world in terms of climate change and other environmental challenges.

My work contributes to improving native woodland, which improves conditions for wildlife such as native flowers and birds.
We use only our own timber; this sets an example to the public.

Many jobs in this sector are very new, how long has your job existed?

My current contract is for 9 months, and each year it has to be re-applied for.
The job itself has been around a long time - I'm not sure exactly how long, but as long as wardens have needed assistants!

What personal qualities do you think have got you where you are today?

I worked hard to get a good degree, and I made sure that I accrued the right skills too, like learning Welsh and getting a walling certificate - things that make me look good. Also, my ability to blag at interviews!

What are the essential skills for your job?

Knowledge of woods and trees is essential. Also having a chainsaw licence (you can get this on the job, but it's better to have one already).

What qualifications do you have? Are these typical for people in your role?

I have degrees in both Forestry and Languages, and A-levels in German, English and Biology.
I also have a First Aid certificate (very useful to have) and a chainsaw certificate, as well as certificates in dry stone walling, hedge-laying and coppicing, and quad driving. Plus my basic Welsh.

What do you think most helped you get where you are now?

VOLUNTEERING, VOLUNTEERING, VOLUNTEERING!!
Speaking Welsh – as I'm based in North Wales this shows commitment.
My degree in Forestry – a great foundation.
Having staying power, and not selling out to a desk job with a corporation!

Please describe a typical working day

Arrive at 8.30 and drink tea until 9.00. Collect saws, loppers and tea stuff. Load the quad, then drive it over the estate and into the woods. Start clearing rhododendron. Finish at 3.30, then head back to base to do some green wood-working.

What do you enjoy most and least about what you do?

I love being in the woods (there are many types of woodland) and getting to know them intimately - and I see some amazing fungi! I also love the challenge of learning new skills.
I dislike having to repeatedly clear rhododendron, and burn it, on my own.

What kind of people do you meet through your work or do you work alone?

I'm part of a small team of young men - some are employed and others are volunteers. Some are on rehabilitation and are quite rough characters, but mostly they're pretty hard working, sociable and into nature.

Do you feel well paid for what you do, or is it not about the money?

I get relatively low pay, but I have very low outgoings. Much more important to me is the job satisfaction and relaxed atmosphere, together with learning 'side skills' (such as green wood-working) and spending quality time in the woods.

Finally, what do you know now about jobs, careers and the future that you wish you’d known when you were at school?

That volunteering is really key to 'getting in'. It allows you to get to know a job, and employers love taking on someone who has volunteered for them.
It's not all about qualifications; people skills are vital. I wish I had joined more clubs and taken part in more school plays - having better group skills would have helped me a lot!

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