Ranger - National Trust : Job Details

Summary As a Ranger, you’re a champion of nature conservation and the great outdoors, and you’ll play a crucial role in keeping the nation’s beloved countryside and coast in good shape, for wildlife and for people. You should be willing to work some weekends, bank holidays and evenings, and be on call. . 

Working in some of the Northern Irelands 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 practical, hands-on job requiring a high level of practical aptitude with a broad range of countryside/estate management skills. It is a physically demanding, outdoor job that requires you to thrive in that environment. Strangford Lough is one of the most heavily designated nature conservation sites on the island of Ireland and is home to a wealth of wildlife interest and so you will need to have a genuine interest in and knowledge of natural history and ecology.

Working pattern - Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm, but there will be weekend work and earlier starts/later finishes due to the nature of the role and the location.

This role is required to work with vulnerable groups including children and any offer of employment or volunteering is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

What it's like to work here

Working within the East Down Property Group, you’ll be helping to manage Strangford Lough, a site of international importance. This highly designated property is home to an array of waders and wildfowl, from breeding seabirds such as Common and Arctic Tern, to Brent Geese that overwinter here and as such, bird monitoring is a key part of the ranger teams work here.

A large part of your work as a ranger here, will be spent on and around the water, working on power boats, carrying out habitat management on islands and seal counts on behalf of NIEA and moving livestock to and from islands with the Cuan Brig barge.

Along with Strangford Lough, you will be covering Ards Peninsula, from Orlock in North Down, to Ballyquintin at the tip of the peninsula. Managing coastal paths, farmland and woodland along with engaging with the thousands of visitors who use our sites and balancing the need for access alongside nature conservation.

What you'll be doing

You’ll be helping to protect and care for habitats, wildlife, buildings and machinery. You’ll pass on your knowledge and enthusiasm to encourage others to love this area as much as you do. Whenever and wherever you come across people, you’ll take the time to talk to them and answer their questions, rather than rushing away to the next task.

You’ll make sure that the conservation work and outdoor experiences on the land in your care are of the highest standard. You’ll build relationships in the local community, proudly representing the Trust and letting people know about the work you and the team are doing.

Reporting to one of the Area Rangers, you will work throughout the property portfolio including the whole of Strangford Lough, Ards peninsula and North Down.

Your main role will be carrying out practical habitat management work, estate work and assisting with biological monitoring Working for the Coast and Countryside Manager, and Lead Ranger under the direction of the Area Ranger you will implement an agreed site management plan.

You'll play a key role in setting standards of presentation and quality of practical work. 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.

Due to the extensive nature of the property, you will be required to drive a range of vehicles on a daily basis. Therefore a full driving licence is essential.

Although not necessary, experience of operating or assisting with boats is desirable

Due to the fact that a number of sites in the portfolio are islands, you will need to be comfortable working on and around water.

You can view the full role profile for this role in the document 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

We’d love to hear from you if you’re:

• practically experienced in conservation work, to protect and improve habitats and landscapes
• happy to talk to all kinds of people about the work you’re doing, and why it matters
• hard-working and willing to learn
• able to work safely, using risk assessments and following guidelines
• experienced in managing land, access and conservation, and working outdoors
• able to use machinery and equipment, with relevant certificates
• a driver with a 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 

•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

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