Assistant Ranger

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

Job summary

Kent County Council is seeking a Countryside Ranger to support Shorne Woods Country Park and surrounding sites. You will assist the Ranger Services Manager across seven parks, focusing on practical habitat management and visitor access.

Responsibilities include coppicing, tree planting, wood processing, fencing, livestock management and delivering safe, welcoming experiences at public sites. A willingness to train for chainsaw, brush cutting, tractor driving and herbicide use is required.

Qualifications

• Experience in countryside management, preferably in public-facing roles.
• Education to HNC/HND or degree level in a relevant subject.
• Willingness to train or hold certificates in chainsaw, brush cutting, tractor driving, and herbicide use.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Ranger Services Manager in managing sites across seven parks.
• Perform practical tasks such as coppicing, tree planting, wood processing, fencing, livestock management and access works.
• Travel between sites at short notice and work with the wider ranger team.

Skills

Customer care

Interpersonal skills

Travel between sites

Education

HNC/HND or degree in relevant subject

Tools

Chainsaw training

Brush cutter

Tractor driving

Herbicide use

Job description

Salary: £26,822 per annum
Contract type: Permanent, full time
Working hours: 37 hours per week
Location: Shorne Woods Country Park
Job reference: REF/TP/101920/15175
Closing date: 3 September, 2026

Role Responsibility

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 and Manor Park, however work will include working working with the wider ranger team managing seven sites, including five SSSI’s across approx 1000 acres.

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, brush cutting, 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.

About the Company

Work that works for you and us - let's talk flexibility!

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.