Assistant Ranger

Kent County Council; East Whitburn; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Kent County Council is seeking a dedicated countryside ranger to assist in managing multiple sites across the North and West Kent country parks area. The role involves practical management work across chalk grasslands, hedgerows, and woodlands, plus regular travel between sites and customer-facing duties.

You should have a solid background in countryside management, a Full UK driving licence, and be willing to train in chainsaw, brush cutting, tractor driving, and herbicide handling.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of countryside management and landscape conservation.
• Strong interpersonal skills and customer care orientation.
• Full UK Driving Licence required; willingness to drive site vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing sites across approx 1000 acres including SSSIs.
• Involved in chalk grassland management, livestock handling, meadow management, coppicing, tree planting, wood processing, fencing, and access works.
• Willingness to train in chainsaw, brush cutting, tractor driving and herbicide handling.
• Travel between multiple sites at short notice as required.

Skills

Countryside management

Customer care

Driving licence

Interpersonal skills

Site travel between sites

Education

HNC/HND/degree in a relevant subject

Job description

Role Responsibility

The post holders will assist in managing sites in the North and West Kent Country parks area. The successful applicant will primarily be based at Trosley Country Park but will assist the Ranger Services Manager and the ranger team manage five sites, including three SSSIs across approx 1000 acres. Sites include Lullingstone, Preston Hill, Dryhill, Teston Bridge. You will also be expected to support the North Kent team on specific projects.

The successful applicant will be involved in many practical aspects of management including chalk grassland management, handling livestock, meadow management, coppicing, tree planting, wood processing, fencing, and access works, as the sites are extremely varied. You should hold certificates of competency or be willing to train in chainsaw, brush cutting, tractor driving, and herbicide use and handling and some other practical skills as required.

You should demonstrate knowledge and experience in countryside management as a volunteer or paid worker, have a good understanding of landscape and nature conservation management, public access & interpretation, and be educated to HNC, HND or degree level in a relevant subject.

You will be reliable and possess good interpersonal skills and have a positive attitude towards customer care. A knowledge of the countryside is important. An ability to travel in between sites at short notice and drive site vehicles is essential.

Thisrole is subject to holding a Full UK Driving Licence The Council is committedto making reasonable adjustments so whilst this job requires the jobholder todrive your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive dueto a disability.

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.

Closing date: Friday 13th November 2026