Assistant Senior Ranger - Country Parks

Thurrock Council; Thurrock; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible and hybrid working options

Ongoing training and professional dev

Employee assistance programme & welll?

Job summary

Thurrock Council's Ranger Service is recruiting an Assistant Senior Ranger to support county parks and countryside sites. You will help manage sites, lead practical conservation tasks and engage visitors, schools and groups.

The role requires hands-on countryside management, experience with tractors and machinery, chainsaw certification, and knowledge of environmental legislation. A DBS check is required and a generous benefits package is offered.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in countryside management, estates management or conservation work.
• Competence in operating tractors and land-management machinery.
• Chainsaw qualification LANTRA or NPTC Level 2, including cross-cutting and felling.
• Experience of grassland management and haymaking operations.
• Knowledge of environmental legislation, the Countryside Code and health and safety requirements (PUWER/COSHH).
• Experience working with volunteers and supporting public events and activities.
• Good IT skills (Microsoft Office and Teams).
• Knowledge of flora and fauna, including tree and wildflower identification.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the management and operation of council-managed parks and countryside sites, deputising for the Senior Ranger when required.
• Handling health and safety compliance including risk assessments and site inspections.
• Carrying out practical countryside management activities (woodland management, tree planting, grassland maintenance, haymaking, watercourse management).
• Operating tractors and a range of land-management machinery & equipment.
• Supervising rangers, trainees, students and volunteers where required.
• Carrying out site patrols and monitoring byelaws and environmental legislation.
• Welcoming visitors and delivering guided walks, educational activities and public events.
• Assisting with visitor centre operations and interpretive information.

Skills

Countryside management

Estates management

Conservation work

Tractors and machinery

Chainsaw (LANTRA/NPTC Level 2)

Grassland management

Environmental legislation

Volunteers & events

IT skills (MS Office/Teams)

Flora & fauna knowledge

Education

LANTRA Level 2 Chainsaw qualification

Full UK Manual Driving Licence (Category C1)

Degree in Environmental Studies / Countryside Management (Desirable)

Tools

Tractors & land-management machinery

Job description

Job Title: Assistant Senior Ranger - Country Parks

Salary: £34,638- £39,309 per annum (pro rata if part-time)

Grade: D

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

About the Department

The Ranger Service sits within Thurrock Council's Place Directorate and is responsible for managing, conserving and protecting sites which are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Scheduled Ancient Monuments. The team works to protect and enhance biodiversity, maintain high-quality public open spaces and provide engaging opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the countryside. The Assistant Senior Ranger plays a key role in supporting these objectives through practical site management, conservation work and visitor engagement.

About the Role

• Supporting the management and operation of council-managed parks and countryside sites, including deputising for the Senior Ranger/Site Manager when required.
• Taking responsibility for health and safety compliance, including risk assessments, safe systems of work and site inspections.
• Undertaking practical countryside management activities including woodland management, tree planting, grassland maintenance, haymaking and watercourse management.
• Operating and maintaining tractors, chainsaws and a wide range of land-management machinery and equipment.
• Supervising rangers, trainees, students and volunteers where required.
• Carrying out site patrols and monitoring compliance with byelaws, environmental legislation and the Countryside Code.
• Welcoming visitors, schools and community groups, delivering guided walks, educational activities and public events.
• Assisting with visitor centre operations, public engagement activities and the production of interpretive information.

This role offers the chance to make a real difference by helping to protect and enhance Thurrock's natural environment while providing high-quality experiences for visitors and local communities.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in countryside management, estates management or conservation work.
• Competence in operating tractors and land-management machinery.
• Practical chainsaw skills to LANTRA or NPTC Level 2 standard, including cross-cutting and felling.
• Experience of grassland management and haymaking operations.
• Knowledge of environmental legislation, the Countryside Code and health and safety requirements including PUWER and COSHH.
• Experience working with volunteers and supporting public events and activities.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams.
• Knowledge of flora and fauna, including tree and wildflower identification.

Essential Qualifications

• LANTRA or NPTC Level 2 Chainsaw qualification (including cross-cutting and felling) or equivalent demonstrable competence.
• Full UK Manual Driving Licence with Category C1 entitlement, or a Full UK Driving Licence obtained before January 1997.

Desirable Qualifications

• Foundation Degree, HND or Degree in Environmental Studies, Countryside Management or Conservation.
• or
• Countryside Worker Level 2 Apprenticeship or Countryside Ranger Level 4 Apprenticeship.
• Relevant tractor, machinery or pesticide application certifications.

DBS Check

Basic DBS required.

Benefits of Working with Us

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Important Dates

• Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 10th September 2026
• Closing Date (Internal & External): 27th September 2026
• Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

Additional Information

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:
Christopher Griffiths-Beven - Senior Ranger and Site Manager
07749 101545 |

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:
Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.