Assistant Ranger / Heritage Parks Gardener

Bracknell Forest Council; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council is seeking an Assistant Ranger / Heritage Parks Gardener to maintain and enhance parks, focusing on conservation and community involvement. This full-time position requires a passion for nature and a commitment to ensuring park safety and community engagement. The role supports a healthy work-life balance and offers opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Paid employee volunteering scheme

Local government pension scheme

Career development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Passionate about nature and conservation.
• Willingness to develop skills in the sector.
• Understanding the importance of community involvement.

Responsibilities

• Undertake estate management tasks.
• Conduct regular safety inspections.
• Encourage community involvement.

Skills

Passion for conservation

Community involvement

Maintenance skills

Job description

Overview

We have a great opportunity for an Assistant Ranger / Heritage Parks Gardener on a full time, permanent basis.

At Bracknell Forest, we pride ourselves on being a council which is stable and well-managed where our employees can thrive in a supportive environment. We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance.

About You

As an Assistant Ranger/Heritage Parks Gardener, you will be passionate about conservation and nature, and keen to develop skills in the sector. You are someone who values community involvement and understands its importance in the success of long-term environmental projects. In your role you will have shared responsibility for the maintenance and safety of the Heritage Parks sites, together with other works allocated to the team from the wider Parks & Countryside service through the Lead Rangers.

About The Team

Bracknell Forest Council Parks & Countryside service is responsible for more than 300 hectares of countryside sites, ranging from large wildflower meadows and woodlands to play areas and sports pitches. We endeavour to manage our sites for the benefit of people and wildlife, this being a key objective for the council. Two of our historic parks have been restored with grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund. Involvement of local communities is also central to this success.

Key responsibilities

• To undertake estate management tasks including maintaining flower beds, cutting grass, planting shrubs, hedge cutting, sweeping leaves, removing litter, maintaining paths and other park infrastructure.
• To undertake regular safety inspections of the parks and address resulting health and safety matters which arise.
• To encourage community involvement and liaise with volunteers to help co-ordinate their work in the park.
• To comply with all health and safety procedures, particularly in regard to machinery and equipment.
• Carry out play area weekly inspections, reporting findings and making safe any issues.

Benefits

• 25 days* annual leave increasing to 28 days* after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days*.
• Paid employee volunteering scheme.
• Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover.
• Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply)
• Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing
• Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club.
• (pro rata for part time)

Find out more

Find out more about all our benefits or see the candidate pack.

Our values

At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting [e-mail]. We will work with you to support you throughout the process. Find out more about reasonable adjustments.

Interview date

Interviews will be held on 16th October 2025. Inter­views will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.

Application information

We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.

Please note AI is prohibited during the interview; any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.

Contact for informal questions

For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact: Alan Wilson, Green Infrastructure Delivery Manager - Parks & Countryside, Tel: [phone]

Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment.

We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK.

Candidates currently residing in the UK who require sponsorship to work are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) based on the relevant criteria. Sponsorship availability varies and is subject to eligibility requirements and budget limitations. We cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles and will evaluate sponsorship requests on a case-by-case basis.

No agencies please.

Equal Opportunities

Bracknell Forest Council – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

How to apply

Please apply online via the link provided. Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

Job details

• Job title: Assistant Ranger / Heritage Parks Gardener
• Employer: Bracknell Forest Council
• Salary: £26,718 - £30,269 inclusive of London Weighting
• Location: South Hill Park, Lily Hill Park
• Contract: Permanent
• Working Pattern: Full Time
• Hours: 37 hours per week
• DBS Check: No
• Closing Date: 05/10/2025 at 23:59
• Reference: PL/25/321766