Head Ranger: Lead Nature Conservation & Engagement

National Trust for Scotland; Scotland; On-site; GBP 32,220 - 39,380; Full time

Job summary

The National Trust for Scotland is seeking a Head Ranger to lead conservation and public engagement across six treasured sites in Scotland. This senior role focuses on conserving landscapes and heritage while ensuring accessibility and inspiration for visitors now and in the future.

Lead the development of conservation frameworks, coordinate ecological monitoring, and drive biodiversity initiatives within the annual budget.Closing date: Sunday 16th August 2026.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies to enhance public engagement and access to the natural heritage across the sites.
• Increase audience reach through events, interpretation, and community engagement initiatives.
• Provide technical leadership on all aspects of nature conservation across the six sites.
• Lead the development and implementation of appropriate management frameworks – for example the woodland management plans.
• Use expertise and experience to influence and develop internal and external policy statements and positions and implement initiatives to protect wildlife.
• Survey wildlife and habitats and feed this knowledge into management decisions, marketing of natural heritage, and further development of our voice.
• Organising and implementing all ecological monitoring across six sites. All work feeding into national and international monitoring schemes.
• Maintain and manage habitats and wildlife with the aim of protecting species and increasing biodiversity.
• Contribute to the planning and lead the delivery of practical conservation to deliver the outputs agreed in the annual budget process.

Job description

The National Trust for Scotland is seeking a Head Ranger to lead conservation and public engagement across six treasured sites in Scotland. This senior role focuses on conserving landscapes and heritage while ensuring accessibility and inspiration for visitors now and in the future.

Lead the development of conservation frameworks, coordinate ecological monitoring, and drive biodiversity initiatives within the annual budget.Closing date: Sunday 16th August 2026.