Assistant Ranger Apprenticeship - Level 2

NATIONAL TRUST; Ely; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the National Trust as an Assistant Ranger apprentice, where you will support conservation efforts and develop essential skills. This role offers outdoor work, training opportunities, and a pathway to further ranger roles, all while contributing to climate action and nature preservation.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

Free entry to National Trust places for you and your family

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Gym membership discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 GCSEs including English and Maths at grade E/2.
• Aged 16 or over and have completed year 11.

Responsibilities

• Work with the ranger team to conserve the environment.
• Complete mandatory e-learning and training courses.

Skills

Enthusiasm

Desire to learn

Education

GCSEs including English and Maths

Job description

Come and join us on a National Trust apprenticeship where we’ll support and develop you to play an integral part in our work to tackle climate change, protect historic sites and help people and nature thrive. You don’t need experience for this role, just loads of enthusiasm and a desire to learn.

As an Assistant Ranger apprentice, you’ll be working as a member of the rangering team as they conserve the environment that makes the countryside both distinctive and special and help take care of our protected landscapes.

This role can lead to an assistant ranger or ranger role and potentially move to a L4 Countryside Ranger apprenticeship after additional experience gained in role.

What it's like to work here

You’ll be working outdoors in all weathers as part of our ranger teams, supporting our strategy to restore a healthy, beautiful and natural environment. Your role will be working to protect and improve the health and wildlife richness of our countryside, preserving all the benefits we get from it and helping our visitors to experience and get closer to conservation of our special outdoor places.

Your training will be delivered via a combination of mandatory week long college blocks and online learning, with all expenses and travel paid. There may also be opportunities to travel to other National Trust locations with some overnight stays to expand your learning and experience.

Nestled in the East Anglian fens between Ely and Cambridge, Wicken Fen stands as the National Trust’s oldest nature reserve. It is one of a select few ‘Nature Accelerator’ sites, uniquely positioned to fulfil the National Trust’s ambitious goals. With nearly 10,000 recorded species, Wicken Fen epitomises fenland ecology, nature conservation, public access, and climate action.

Spanning 820 hectares and designated as a National Nature Reserve, Ramsar site, Site of Special Scientific Interest, and Special Protection Area, Wicken Fen is among Europe’s most significant wetlands. The reserve's in-house herds of horses and cattle, diverse habitats, bustling visitor operations, and historic features create a vast scope of work for the Ranger team, offering endless learning opportunities.

What you'll be doing

Working alongside your mentor on tasks specific to your apprenticeship, you’ll develop the skills & knowledge relevant to this apprenticeship standard.

You’ll attend, and prepare for, regular review meetings with your training provider, and be accountable for your own progression. You’ll be required to complete mandatory e-learning, courses and training provided.

Who we're looking for

In addition to the qualities listed in the role profile, we’d love to hear from you if you meet the following eligibility criteria by the start date of the role:

• A minimum of 2 GCSE’s which must include English and maths at grade E/2, functional skills level 1 or equivalent (If you hold an EHCP, entry level 3 in English and maths is acceptable).
• Aged 16 or over and have completed year 11
• Not in full time education
• Have the right to work in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three consecutive years before starting the apprenticeship
• Not on any other training or education programme (eg: studying towards an apprenticeship or degree)
• Able to travel to work location

If you are aged 18 or under at the point of enrolment and have not achieved English and maths at grade C/4, you'll be enrolled on functional skills level 2 as part of your apprenticeship – this will be optional if you are 19 or over, but we’ll support you to complete when offered.

If you have a qualification in the same or a related subject to this apprenticeship or have substantial relevant work experience this may exclude you from Government funding – this will be verified if your application progresses.

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