Senior Ranger

National Trust; Midhurst; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension scheme

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

National Trust, South Downs West, is seeking a Senior Ranger to lead day-to-day land management and conservation work across Black Down and surrounding areas. Based at Woolbeding near Midhurst, you’ll build a flexible work programme and supervise volunteers and contractors.

You’ll engage local communities through events and guided walks, reporting progress and embedding high presentation standards while supporting conservation targets and partnerships.

Qualifications

• Practical countryside/rural skills with certification in chainsaw use, tractor driving and towing trailers.
• Experience in land, access and conservation management including small projects.
• Evidence of good people management, leadership, and supervision of contractors or volunteers.
• Knowledge and passion for nature and wildlife.
• Ability to communicate this passion to stakeholders and partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day land management and conservation work across Black Down and surrounding areas.
• Build and manage an effective work programme in line with the Business Plan.
• Line manage a Ranger and lead groups of volunteers.
• Engage with audiences through events and guided walks; communicate conservation work.
• Support engagement with contractors and land managers; meet Conservation Performance Indicator targets.

Skills

Countryside skills

Chainsaw use certification

Tractor driving

Towing trailers

Land conservation management

People management

Stakeholder communication

UK driving licence

Job description

Summary

We have an opportunity for a Senior Ranger to join our team to lead and deliver the day-to-day land management and operations across the South Downs West, based out of our office and yard at Woolbeding near Midhurst. Sharing your love of the outdoors, you'll inspire others as you strive to ensure that landscapes are beautifully presented. Some weekend and on-call working is required on a rota basis. Additional pay and time off in lieu are given.

What it's like to work here

The South Downs West is a wonderful place to work, with a dedicated team and a wide range habitats and fascinating wildlife to look after. We manage thousands of acres of wildflower meadows, heathlands, chalk grassland and woodland, using our herd of beef cattle for conservation grazing. We also have several exciting species reintroduction projects including beavers and water voles.

What you'll be doing

As the Senior Ranger for Black Down and the surrounding areas, you'll be part of a small team of Rangers working throughout and across the whole portfolio. Following the lead from the Property's Business Plan and the Countryside Manager, you'll build and manage an effective and flexible work programme. You'll support your fellow rangers across the area in undertaking engagement and conservation work, contributing towards HLS (Higher Level Stewardship) and other environmental targets. You'll line manage a Ranger and lead groups of volunteers who help with varying conservation projects and tasks across the sites. You'll play a key role in maintaining excellent standards of presentation and property maintenance, successfully achieving Conservation Performance Indicator targets. You'll build and maintain strong professional relationships with colleagues, contractors, tenants, and neighbouring land managers. You'll also be responsible for helping with excellent communication of our conservation work to a wide range of audiences, both new and existing, through events, guided walks, and engagement with local communities.

Who we're looking for

We'd love to hear from you if you have the following:

• have practical experience of countryside/rural skills, preferably with certification in chainsaw use, tractor driving and towing trailers
• demonstrate experience of land, access and conservation management skills including delivery of small projects
• have evidence of good people management and leadership skills, and be a strong team player, including supervision of contractors or volunteers
• demonstrate a knowledge and passion for nature and wildlife
• demonstrate an ability to be able to communicate this passion to stakeholders
• have strong organisational skills including demonstrating experience of work planning
• able to work safely leading on compliance and demonstrating experience with risk assessment process
• have 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