Assistant Senior Ranger – Parks & Countryside

Thurrock Council; England; 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

Ongoing training and development

Job summary

Thurrock Council is seeking an Assistant Senior Ranger for the Country Parks to support management of council-owned parks and countryside sites. You will deputise for the Senior Ranger, ensure health and safety compliance, conduct habitat and grassland works, operate land-management machinery, and engage with visitors and schools through guided walks and events.

The role requires experience in countryside management, a chainsaw qualification, a full UK driving licence, and a commitment to

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Support 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.

Skills

Countryside management

Estates management

Conservation work

Volunteer engagement

IT skills (MS Office, Teams)

Public engagement

Tree and wildlife knowledge

Education

LANTRA/NPTC Level 2 Chainsaw qualification

Full UK Manual Driving Licence (Category C1)

Foundation Degree / HND / Degree in Environmental Studies or Countryside Management or Conservation

Countryside Worker Level 2 Apprenticeship or Countryside Ranger Level 4 Apprenticeship

Tractor, machinery or pesticide application certifications

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Thurrock Council is seeking an Assistant Senior Ranger for the Country Parks to support management of council-owned parks and countryside sites. You will deputise for the Senior Ranger, ensure health and safety compliance, conduct habitat and grassland works, operate land-management machinery, and engage with visitors and schools through guided walks and events.

The role requires experience in countryside management, a chainsaw qualification, a full UK driving licence, and a commitment to