Senior Ranger

National Trust; Orford, Dunwich; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Trust is seeking a Senior Ranger to lead the countryside team across Orford Ness and Dunwich Heath. This hands-on leadership role shapes habitat management, ecological monitoring and public engagement across two iconic coastal landscapes.

You’ll line-manage one Ranger and 2.5 FTE external posts, manage budgets and contracts, and collaborate with partners and volunteers to deliver conservation, access and visitor experiences.

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

Leadership

Staff development

Conservation

Communication

Budgeting

Project coordination

Education

Level 4 or 5 qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Location: Orford Ness and Dunwich Heath

Contract Type: Full Time / Permanent

Reference: IRC181212

Closing Date: 22nd November 2026

Salary: £30,966

Summary

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.

Who we’re looking for

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.