Ranger – Lengthsperson

National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty; Guildford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension scheme of up to 10

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working whenever possible

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Job summary

The National Trust in Guildford is seeking a Lengthsperson to join our Ranger team at Wey & Godalming Navigations & Dapdune Wharf. The role focuses on maintaining the waterway and delivering high-standard service to visitors and river users.

You'll provide cover for weir operations requiring monitoring water levels and responding to operational requirements, including possible overnight work and weekend/bank holiday shifts. Travel across sites is required.

Qualifications

• Understanding of waterways with conservation and biodiversity.
• Experience in land, conservation and access management or equivalent.
• Willingness to undertake training for tools like strimmers, mowers, chainsaws.
• Ability to plan and organise own work programme.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the waterway and deliver high-quality service to visitors and river users.
• Provide cover for weir operations including monitoring water levels and adjusting weirs with 24hr cover.
• Respond to operational requirements at short notice to reach navigations within required response time.

Skills

Waterways knowledge

Conservation knowledge

Planning

Community engagement

Tools

Strimmers

Mowers

Chainsaws

Job description

Summary

A fantastic opportunity to be part of our Ranger team working at one of the oldest waterways in the country, helping us to take forward the nation’s heritage and play a part in its continuing history. Contract: Permanent Hours: Working pattern will require weekend and bank holiday working. You'll provides cover for team members so the role doesn’t work to a set rota – Flexibility will be required, you'll likely to be working most bank holiday Mondays. Given the need for weir operations, you may also be working overnight. This will be discussed at interview stage. This role requires regular travel to locations across the site, including areas not accessible by public transport. You will need to be able to meet these travel requirements.

What it's like to work here

River Wey & Goldalming Navigations & Dapdune Wharf is a tranquil waterway running for nearly 20 miles through the heart of Surrey. The Wey was one of the first British rivers to be made navigable, and opened to barge traffic in 1653. This 15-mile waterway linked Guildford to Weybridge on the Thames, and then to London.

What you'll be doing

Working alongside the large team that look after the Navigations, you'll be involved with maintaining the waterway for our visitors and delivering a high standard of service to river users, local communities and volunteers. A key part of your role will be providing cover for weir operations which will involve monitoring water levels and adjusting weirs as necessary, which will require 24hr cover. As this role includes responding to operational requirements at short notice, you will need to be able to reach the Navigations within the required response time. You can view the full role profile for this role in the documents attached. You don't need to have all of 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

Ideally you'll have some of the following skills, knowledge or experience:

• An understanding of waterways and a working knowledge of conservation and biodiversity.
• Practical experience in relevant land, conservation and access management, supported by appropriate qualifications or equivalent level of relevant experience gained through work, volunteering or other activities.
• using tools and machinery such as strimmers, mowers and chainsaws, or a willingness and ability to undertake training.
• An ability to plan and organise your own work programme.

We recognise that people gain experience in different ways and encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate relevant transferable skills.

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

National Trust place

Wey & Godalming Nav, Navigations Office and Dapdune Wharf, Guildford, GU1 4RR

Documents

• Additional information RWN NL Sep26.docx
• Lengthsperson - B.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 11th October 2026

Interview Date: 21st October 2026

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here .

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.