Community Ranger

NATIONAL TRUST; Stroud; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading conservation organization as a Community Ranger to help protect and enhance the beautiful countryside in Stroud. Your role will involve engaging with local communities and volunteers while managing access and conservation strategies to safeguard vital wildlife sites. This position offers a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference in preserving natural landscapes for future generations.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme up to 10% salary

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Flexible working opportunities

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Qualifications

• Experience in conservation work to protect and improve habitats.
• Able to communicate effectively and engage with diverse audiences.
• Valid UK driving license.

Responsibilities

• Deliver conservation work and community events.
• Organize volunteering days and promote responsible access.
• Manage paths and sensitive habitats to protect wildlife.

Skills

Conservation work

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Practical experience in land and conservation management

Tools

Machinery operation

Job description

As a Community Ranger, you’re a champion of nature conservation and the great outdoors, and you’ll play a crucial role in keeping the nation’s beloved countryside and coast in good shape, for wildlife and for people.

This role plays a vital part in tackling both the current and future impacts of recreational use on the Stroud Commons and Beechwoods SAC (Special Areas of Conservation) and NNR (National Nature Reserves) landscape which are internationally important wildlife sites.You will be at the heart of building strong connections with local communities and volunteers, inspiring them to care and take action to help nature thrive.

Internally you'll be known as 'Ranger'.

What it's like to work here

The Cotswolds are renowned for their diverse and distinctive landscape, characterised by steep-sided wooded valleys, expansive plateau commons, and the dramatic Cotswold escarpment—creating a setting that is both striking and spectacular.This remarkable landscape supports some of the richest and most important unimproved limestone grasslands in the country, alongside significant areas of ancient woodland.

You will be based at Ebworth, in the heart of the Stroud Commons and Beechwoods SAC and NNR landscape, joining a passionate and dedicated team of Rangers and Community and Volunteering colleagues. Collaboration is at the core of our work—partnering with a wide range of stakeholders to deliver impactful landscape connectivity and species recovery projects. We are also deeply engaged with local communities, often working beyond our immediate boundaries to support and enhance connected habitats across the wider landscape.

What you'll be doing

As a Community Ranger, you’ll play a key role in delivering the Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM) strategies developed and funded by local district councils across Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds. These strategies are part of wider efforts to protect internationally important wildlife sites, such as SACs and NNRs by making them more resilient to the pressures of increased recreation. Your work will help ensure these special places can be enjoyed today—and safeguarded for generations to come.

• You will work closely with the Area Ranger and Volunteering and Community Manager to raise awareness and inspire positive choices that help protect these internationally important wildlife sites from the pressures of recreation.
• You’ll take the lead in organising and delivering community conservation volunteering days on Rodborough Common SAC, working closely with key partners like Commons Committees and local parish councils. These events are a great way to connect people with nature and make a real difference on the ground.
• You’ll support efforts to manage paths and access, helping to guide visitors in ways that protect sensitive habitats. Through on-site presence and support to the communications team, you’ll promote responsible access and help monitor and survey how well the landscape is recovering in areas under pressure.
• You’ll be out and about on-site, delivering conservation work, hosting workshops and events that connect with local communities and user groups. Your goal? To spark interest and raise awareness about the importance of Rodborough Common and the Cotswold Beechwoods—and the challenges they face now and in the future.
• You’ll take the lead in creating a dog ambassador community for Rodborough Common, inspired by successful models already in place across the National Trust. Through outreach, signage, and close collaboration with local graziers, you’ll promote responsible dog ownership and help protect sensitive wildlife such aslocal skylark populations.
• Support the wider ranger team to help deliver key conservation projects throughout the Cotswolds.
• You’ll work closely with other partners across the wider SAMM (Strategic Access Management and Monitoring) strategy,playing a key role in helping to show the positive impact of our work on the ground. Your efforts will help build a strong evidence base that demonstrates how thoughtful engagement, and conservation can make a real difference.

Please also read the full role profile & additional information, attached to this advert.

Who we're looking for

We’d love to hear from you if you’re:

• practically experienced in conservation work, to protect and improve habitats and landscapes
• happy to talk to all kinds of people about the work you’re doing, and why it matters
• hard-working and willing to learn
• able to work safely, using risk assessments and following guidelines
• experienced in managing land, access and conservation, and working outdoors
• able to use machinery and equipment, with relevant certificates
• a driver with a full UK driving licence

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places