Ranger

National Trust; Dunwich; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

National Trust in England is seeking an experienced Senior Ranger to shape the future of two coastal landscapes: Orford Ness and Dunwich Heath. This hands-on leadership role will lead the countryside team and support colleagues across both sites to care for nationally and internationally important habitats.

You'll deliver countryside management plans, support visitor engagement and represent the National Trust with partners, stakeholders and the media.

Qualifications

• A relevant Level 4 or 5 qualification, or equivalent practical experience.
• Confident leadership and staff and volunteer development skills.
• Substantial experience in countryside, conservation, access and land management.
• A track record in nature recovery and visitor‑focused projects.
• Strong communication, engagement and relationship‑building skills.
• Knowledge of habitat management, ecological monitoring, health and safety, and countryside compliance.
• Experience managing budgets, projects, contracts or grant‑funded schemes.
• A full UK driving licence, as regular travel between sites is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and management of outdoor places across both sites, protecting their habitats, species and landscapes while providing safe, inspiring visitor experiences.
• Turn portfolio priorities into practical nature recovery programmes, including habitat management, ecological monitoring, species surveys, partnership projects and public engagement.
• Line‑manage one Ranger and 2.5 FTE externally funded Ranger posts, while supporting volunteers involved in ecological monitoring, archaeological survey, visitor engagement and habitat management.
• Manage budgets, equipment, contractors and projects, support grant‑funded work and stewardship schemes, and maintain high standards of health, safety and compliance.
• Build productive relationships with partners, communities and stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Staff development

Countryside conservation

Habitat management

Ecological monitoring

Public engagement

Budget management

Stakeholder relations

Education

Level 4/5 qualification in countryside management or equivalent

Job description

We're looking for an experienced, practical and inspiring Senior Ranger to help shape the future of two significant coastal landscapes: Orford Ness and Dunwich Heath. This hands‑on leadership role will lead the countryside team and support colleagues across both sites to care for nationally and internationally important habitats. At Orford Ness, you'll lead habitat and wildlife management across a remarkable coastal landscape. At Dunwich Heath, you'll play a key role in the wildfire recovery programme, guiding habitat restoration, ecological monitoring and long‑term management. You'll deliver countryside management plans, support visitor engagement and represent the National Trust with partners, stakeholders and the media. What it's like to work here You'll join the Suffolk & Essex Coast portfolio, working across shingle, saltmarsh, heathland, wetland and coastal habitats rich in wildlife, heritage and local connections. Working with rangers, volunteers, property teams, partners and contractors, you'll help deliver conservation, access, visitor experience and land management priorities. This varied role balances strategic planning with practical delivery and requires visible, collaborative leadership. Weekend, bank holiday and out-of‑hours working will be required as part of duty management and team rotas. What you'll be doing You'll lead the planning and management of outdoor places across both sites, protecting their habitats, species and landscapes while providing safe, inspiring visitor experiences. You'll turn portfolio priorities into practical nature recovery programmes, including habitat management, ecological monitoring, species surveys, partnership projects and public engagement. You'll line‑manage one Ranger and 2.5 FTE externally funded Ranger posts, while supporting volunteers involved in ecological monitoring, archaeological survey, visitor engagement and habitat management. You'll manage budgets, equipment, contractors and projects, support grant‑funded work and stewardship schemes, and maintain high standards of health, safety and compliance. You'll also build productive relationships with partners, communities and stakeholders. We'd love to hear from you if you have:

• A relevant Level 4 or 5 qualification, or equivalent practical experience.
• Confident leadership and staff and volunteer development skills.
• Substantial experience in countryside, conservation, access and land management.
• A track record in nature recovery and visitor‑focused projects.
• Strong communication, engagement and relationship‑building skills.
• Knowledge of habitat management, ecological monitoring, health and safety, and countryside compliance.
• Experience managing budgets, projects, contracts or grant‑funded schemes.
• A full UK driving licence, as regular travel between sites is required.