Conservation Ranger

publicjobs; Kilkenny; Presencial; EUR 29.000 - 35.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in Kilkenny invites applications for the Conservation Ranger role with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). The position is full-time and involves fieldwork to support nature conservation across Ireland.

Ideal candidates will have wildlife conservation experience, strong report writing and IT skills, and a valid driving licence. The role offers diverse field duties and opportunities to engage with the public.

Formación

• Relevant experience in wildlife management or nature conservation;
• Good knowledge of wildlife and nature conservation;
• Ability to write concise, clear reports and maintain records;
• Good IT skills for word-processing, data analysis and report-writing;
• Demonstrable decision making and practical problem-solving skills;
• Physical ability for foot patrols;
• Ability to work on own initiative and independently;
• Good organisational skills and time management under pressure;
• Confidence and composure in challenging situations;
• Good customer service and interpersonal skills;
• Good communication skills in English (oral and written);
• Flexibility and resilience in a changing environment;
• A current full driving licence (Category B).

Responsabilidades

• Conservation Rangers are the public face of NPWS on conservation management, monitoring species and habitats, compliance, and public engagement.
• Work as part of NPWS regional teams to implement nature policies and wildlife protection legislation nationwide.
• Field-based duties include habitat monitoring, invasive species management, and licensing processes where applicable.

Conocimientos

Wildlife management

Nature conservation

Report writing

Data analysis

IT skills

Decision making

Independent work

Time management

Communication

English proficiency

Driving licence

Herramientas

Word processing

Data analysis tools

Descripción del empleo

Title : Conservation Ranger

Employer: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

County: Kilkenny

Closing Date: 3pm, Thursday, 19th November 2026

Starting Salary: €32,117

About the Employer

Department responsible for housing and water, physical and spatial planning, local government, weather forecasting and for conserving and managing Ireland’s unique heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.

The Department is inviting applications for the role of Conservation Ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to fill nationwide vacancies.

NPWS is an executive agency within the DHLGH and is primarily responsible for formulation and implementation of policy and legislation relating to nature conservation and biodiversity. It also has responsibility for the protection and conservation of Ireland’s natural heritage and biodiversity at national government level. NPWS collects, collates and publishes data and information about nature conservation sites, habitats, species, and other biodiversity-related matters, on an on-going basis.

The Minister or Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the statutory authority for nature conservation in Ireland and has a number of statutory functions under planning law, in particular, in relation to plans or development applications which may impact on areas designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Natural Heritage Areas (NHA). The NPWS is divided into 9 Divisions which cover the 26 counties of Ireland.

About the Role

Conservation Rangers are very often the public face of the NPWS on conservation management, monitoring species and habitats, compliance, and dealing with the general public. The Conservation Ranger position is a full-time role and is challenging, diverse and rewarding.

Conservation Rangers work as part of the NPWS regional team who are responsible for implementing nature policies and wildlife protection legislation throughout the country. Much of the Conservation Ranger's time is spent working in the field to assist in this goal.

Conservation Rangers may be involved in a wide range of duties, depending on their assigned region, from monitoring and managing midlands or coastal habitats, to managing invasive species in National Parks and Nature Reserves. Duties such as enforcement of the Wildlife Acts and Birds and Habitat Regulations, and processing of Wildlife Licences, are common to all geographical locations that Conservation Rangers are posted to.

About You

Candidates must have on or before 19th November 2026:

Note: This experience can come from current or previous roles, voluntary work and/or work experience/work placement undertaken during an academic programme.

*Examples of experience relevant to this role include, but are not limited to, areas such as habitat/species conservation programmes, eliminating invasive species, sampling/ testing in a variety of environments, monitoring protected habitats, carrying out habitats surveys, dealing with wildlife, experience of environmental impact assessments, wildlife licencing issues, EU LIFE Projects, animal and/or predator control, deer culling, previous law enforcement experience.

• Relevant* experience in wildlife management or nature conservation;
• Good knowledge of and a keen interest in wildlife and nature conservation;
• The ability to write concise, clear and accurate reports and maintain records;
• Good IT skills, particularly for word-processing, data analysis and report-writing;
• Demonstrable decision making and practical problem-solving skills;
• The physical ability to perform the duties of the post including foot patrols;
• The ability to work on their own initiative, and work independently without supervision;
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage time effectively including prioritising multiple responsibilities and working under pressure to deliver on goals in a timely manner;
• Demonstrate the confidence and self-assurance necessary to cope with challenging and sensitive situations;
• Good customer service skills and experience in dealing with the public;
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders;
• Good communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively, clearly and concisely in English both verbally and in writing;
• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and the ability to adapt to a changing work environment;
• A current full driving licence** (Category B), valid in Ireland1.

Full details of the role, including specific eligibility requirements, is available on www.publicjobs.ie.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm, Thursday, 19th November 2026.