Ranger

National Trust; Stafford; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension up to 10% of salary

Free entry to National Trust places

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Job summary

The National Trust is seeking a Ranger for Shugborough Estate in Staffordshire. The role focuses on habitat management, estate maintenance, visitor engagement and safeguarding the site, with the team of Rangers and volunteers.

The position is based on annualised hours with 1950 hours per year and a 37.5-hour week, including weekends and on-call duties. You will join a dedicated team delivering conservation grazing and landscape stewardship, reporting to the Lead Ranger and supporting operational

Qualifications

• Practical experience in conservation work to protect habitats and landscapes.
• Ability to engage with a wide range of people and explain conservation work.
• Experience in managing land, access and conservation in outdoor settings.
• Ability to work safely using risk assessments and guidelines.
• Full UK driving licence is required.

Responsibilities

• Manage habitat and landscape maintenance across Shugborough Estate.
• Oversee estate infrastructure and safety, acting as Duty Manager on rota.
• Engage visitors, sharing knowledge of wildlife, history and conservation work.
• Support and lead volunteers in practical conservation tasks and skills sharing.
• Coordinate day-to-day operations to align with organisational priorities.

Skills

Conservation work

Public engagement

Land management

Risk assessment

Driver licence

Tools

Machinery operation

Job description

Summary

As a 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 is based on annualised hours, where the amount of hours you work each month may vary, however your salary will be paid in 12 equal instalments over the year. You'll work 1950 hours per year and on average you'll work 37.5 hours per week but again, this will be flexible depending on operational demand. You'll be working regular weekends, bank holidays and evenings, and be on call.

Interview date: 16th, 17th and 18th November 2026

What it's like to work here

Joining our team as a ranger in the Staffordshire portfolio means stepping into a role at the heart of the National Trust’s mission to protect, restore, and share special places with everyone. This is an exciting moment to join us, as we begin delivering a refreshed organisational strategy that focuses on visitor growth, deeper community connection, and tackling unequal access to history, beauty and nature.

You’ll be part of a skilled and dedicated team based at The Shugborough Estate caring for one of the Trust’s most characterful and diverse portfolios which includes Downsbanks and Hawksmoor. You'll join a team of four Rangers and a Farm Manager, and sixty-five volunteers all working closely together under the guidance of the Lead Ranger, who you'll report to. Together, you’ll help manage a dynamic landscape that includes the stewardship of our Longhorn cattle herd—an essential part of our conservation grazing programme and the wider ecological health of the estate.

What you'll be doing

Your work will span habitat management, estate maintenance, infrastructure care, and ensuring the sites remains safe, beautiful, and thriving for wildlife and people alike. Visitor engagement is a key part of your role, helping to connect people with the estate's landscapes, wildlife, history and conservation work. You'll promote positive visitor experiences by engaging with a wide range of audiences, sharing your knowledge and passion.

Volunteers are central to our work, and you’ll play a key role in supporting, motivating, and working alongside them. Whether leading practical conservation tasks, sharing skills, or building a sense of community, you’ll help ensure everyone feels part of something bigger.

You'll be supporting the day-to-day operational management of the Shugborough Estate, ensuring that activities are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with organisational priorities. Acting as Duty Manager on a rota basis, and working closely with other operational teams, you'll take responsibility for operational decision-making, incident response, visitor safety, business continuity and maintaining high standards across the property.

You'll be working outdoors, with varied workload, and making a difference. You’ll join a passionate team at a pivotal moment—helping shape how we open nature for more people, while caring for the landscapes that make the Shugborough Estate such a special place.

You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what's possible in this role.

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 (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• 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