Assistant Ranger

Kent County Council; England; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Kent County Council is seeking an Assistant Ranger to join the North and West Kent Ranger Team. This role involves managing biodiversity projects at Shorne Woods Country Park and supporting conservation efforts across multiple sites. Ideal candidates should have relevant educational qualifications and practical skills, along with a passion for countryside management and customer care.

Qualifications

• Experience in countryside management as a volunteer or paid worker.
• Understanding of landscape and nature conservation management.
• Willingness to train in practical skills like chainsaw and brushcutting.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing biodiversity enhancement projects.
• Involved in coppicing, tree planting, and livestock management.
• Travel between multiple sites as required.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Knowledge in countryside management

Customer care

Education

HNC, HND or degree level in a relevant subject

Tools

Chainsaw

Brushcutting

Tractor driving

Herbicide use

Job description

North and West Kent Ranger Team
Shorne Woods Country Park
Starting salary: KSB - £25,126 per annum
Fixed Term contract until 31st March 2030, subject to funding. Full time, 37 hours per week

You will assist the Ranger Services Manager in managing sites in the North and West Kent Country parks area. You will primarily be based at Shorne Woods Country Park supporting the delivery of the biodiversity enhancement project but will assist the ranger team managing seven sites, including five SSSI’s across approx 1000 acres.

The biodiversity enhancement project aim is to protect veteran trees and to enhance the habitat for dormice by connecting the coppice woodlands to other areas of the park through planting hazel and woodland understorey corridors and copses throughout the park and introducing a different coppice regime to maximise the habitat for biodiversity.

You will be involved in many practical aspects of management including coppicing, tree planting, wood processing, fencing, livestock management and access works. You should hold certificates of competency or be willing to train in chainsaw, brushcutting, tractor driving, trailers and herbicide use 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 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.

You will be reliable and possess good interpersonal skills and have a positive attitude towards customer care. Your health should be appropriate to the needs of the role. An ability to travel in between sites at short notice is essential.

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.

For an informal discussion or should you require any further information, please contact Mark Gracey on 07980 997027.

To apply please visit www.kent.gov.uk/jobs to complete an online application form. Job reference REF/TP/118907/13123 or visit Assistant Ranger | 09 July, 2025 | Jobs and careers with Kent County Council

Closing date: Wednesday 9th July 2025