Area Ranger - Ely

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.

Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve is a beautiful, wild landscape, one of Europe's most important wetlands. You'll be playing an integral role in helping manage the country's most biodiverse site and the 9600 species that call this place home.

You'll be required to work 1 weekend in 4, as part of a ranger rota.

Due to the nature of this role, a full UK driving license is required.

What it's like to work here

Reporting to the Countryside Manager, you'll be joining an enthusiastic, hard-working Countryside team responsible for managing Wicken Fen. One of Britain's oldest nature reserves, Wicken Fen consists of one of the last remaining undrained fragments of fenland, a SSSI, SAC, NNR & Ramsar designated habitat.

The wider area of the reserve is a pioneer of landscape-scale nature conservation, with grazing highland cattle and breeding Konik ponies, shaping a dynamic and diverse landscape. Our ambitious 100-year vision project bids to expand the existing 820ha site to a 5600ha nature reserve, creating a wildlife corridor stretching down to the outskirts of Cambridge.

What you'll be doing

As the Area Ranger you'll manage a team of 3 Rangers working like you throughout the portfolio: following the lead from the Property's Business Plan you'll build and manage an effective and flexible work programme for you and your team. You'll support your fellow rangers in undertaking engagement and conservation work, contributing towards agri-environment and conservation management plan targets.

You'll play the 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. You'll appreciate the need for our countryside sites to bring in income, so your business ideas will play an important part in the team's success.

We'd love you to have the following skills and experience:

• evidence of experience in land, access, and conservation management, including delivery of small projects and supervision of contractors


• experience of developing and delivering work programs to meet conservation and access outcomes


• be a strong team player, with experience of leading and line-managing teams of staff and/or volunteers


• practical skills applied across a broad range of habitats and estate management, with certification in chainsaw use, tractor driving, and towing trailers


• able to work safely, leading on compliance including writing risk assessments as well as safety and environmental procedures


• demonstrate a commitment to nature and the outdoors - able to engage with visitors to help them understand the value of our work
  
  The National Trust is committed to promoting and preserving those places of natural beauty and historic interest for which it has the privilege to be responsible for the benefit of the nation, for everyone for ever.


The Trust is proud of what has been achieved over the last 126 years and is determined to maintain those high standards of conservation, stewardship and curatorial care for which it has been recognised throughout the world.

Its achievements have enabled the general public and the Trust's members and visitors to enjoy and appreciate the countryside, coastline, gardens, historic buildings and collections, all of which encapsulate so much of the history of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. There is a duty to tell that history in a complete, balanced and accurate way, and without judgement.

The National Trust continues as a guardian of the past, and for the future, to uphold its duty to maintain and enhance what has been entrusted to its care.

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