Ranger

Job description

The voice of our landscapes, conservation champions and lovers of all things outdoors, you’ll help to keep the British countryside and coast wonderful. Working in some of the nation’s most stunning places and spaces, come rain or shine, your love of the outdoors will inspire others as you strive to ensure that landscapes are beautifully presented and continue to take our visitors’ breath away.

This is a fixed term contract due to end when the previous employee returns from maternity leave. At this point we cannot confirm exactly how long this contract will last, but it is unlikely to be more than 12 months.

We would also consider this role as an internal secondment opportunity.

As a countryside property, the National Trust in the Peak District is at the forefront of conservation – managing its Estate through a small but dedicated team, to the highest international standards for conservation, access and wider public benefits.

The High Peak Estate is the largest landholding within the Peak District portfolio. With over 11,000 ha of land designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, this is a huge and remote area comprising largely moorland and woodland habitats. Designated as a Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation for ground nesting birds and blanket bog, the High Peak is an important place for wildlife but also stores huge amounts of carbon to help mitigate the impact of climate change, provides natural storage for rain water and helps to reduce risks of flooding.

We have a leading 50-year Vision for upland management in the High Peak – encompassing the planting of clough woodlands, through to restoration of wildlife rich ecosystems across large areas of moorland, all in the context of a cultural landscape. We work with our tenants, partners, community stakeholders, volunteers and user groups to achieve our aims.

Sitting within the Peak District National Park, it is a highly valued destination for many visitors and outdoor enthusiasts. It provides a location for outdoor experiences but is also a place where people live and work. This is a unique and special place. This role takes you to the very heart of what it is all about.

As a Ranger you will be part of a small, flexible team covering a large area. Guided by seasonal work programmes, you will help maintain and deliver large scale moorland conservation work, contributing towards our Land and Nature targets and our woodland creation ambition. You will be responsible for day to day estate management and maintenance, maintaining excellent standards of presentation and access infrastructure.

You will support monitoring to ensure compliance with our stewardship agreements. On such a large estate, you will build and maintain strong professional relationships with colleagues, tenants, partner organisations and contractors to help us achieve our aims by working effectively together. You will contribute to project delivery and will manage a team of volunteers to increase our capacity, working safely and effectively.

With your endless passion for our work, you’ll help with the protection and care of habitats, wildlife, property and machinery. Your passion will inspire others to love this beautiful place as much as you do. With the support of our Senior Visitor Experience Officer you will be able to share your work to a wide range of audiences, ensuring special places like these are both protected and enjoyed by everyone for ever. This will see you responding to enquiries and explaining the value of the work being undertaken.

The Peak District like many other countryside sites is experiencing unprecedented levels of recreational use and new audiences. You will monitor and maintain a safe environment for visitors and support management through our visitor risk plans.

In this role, you may be required to work some weekends, bank holiday and evenings.

Please also read the full role profile, attached to this advert.

Our team believe that people deserve more than just ‘good service’, but an amazing experience they’ll never forget, and we are looking for like-minded people to join us.

You’ll need to;

• Deliver practical conservation work to protect and enhance the conservation status of the property

• Demonstrate a passion for nature, heritage and the outdoors

• Able to engage with visitors to ensure they understand the value of your work

• Help create a great place to work, sharing common goals

• Be enthusiastic with a willingness to learn

• Be an excellent team player

• Be able to work safely, with risk assessments and compliance with safety procedures

• Experience in a land, access and conservation management

• Experience in and working in a similar outdoor setting

• Competence with machinery and equipment as well as having the relevant certificates required

• A full UK driving licence

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.

Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you – and it doesn’t matter if you’re jam first, cream first, or even if you don’t like scones at all. Everyone is welcome.

Benefits for working at the National Trust include:

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Free parking at most locations

• Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.