Assistant Ranger

Kent County Council; England; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Kent County Council is seeking a countryside ranger to help manage multiple country parks in North and West Kent, mainly based at Trosley Country Park. The role involves practical site work, liaison with visitors and support to the ranger team.

You will perform tasks across chalk grassland, livestock handling, coppicing, tree planting, fencing and access works, with opportunities to train in chainsaw, brush cutting, tractor driving and herbicide use.

Qualifications

• Experience in countryside management, volunteer or paid worker.
• Good interpersonal skills and customer care orientation.
• Understanding of landscape and nature conservation management.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing sites across North and West Kent Country parks.
• Support Ranger Services Manager and team on projects at multiple sites.
• Participate in practical management tasks (grassland, fencing, tree planting, access works).

Skills

Countryside management experience

Interpersonal skills

Public access & interpretation

Customer care

Education

HNC/HND or degree in a relevant subject

Tools

Chainsaw

Brush cutting

Tractor driving

Herbicide handling

Job description

Job reference: REF/TP/118907/15525
Salary: £26,822 per annum
Contract type: Permanent, full time
Working hours: 37 hours per week
Location: Trosley Country Park
Closing date: 13 November 2026

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 SSSI’s 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.

This role is subject to holding a Full UK Driving Licence – The Council is committed to making reasonable adjustments so whilst this job requires the jobholder to drive your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive due to 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