Area Ranger

Join the Riverlands Bollin Project Team as our Area Ranger where you’ll play a key role in the Riverlands work over the next two years. The project focusses on watercourse restoration, pond creation, and woodland, grassland and peatland improvement. We have recently been successful with securing external funding, and we now need someone to help deliver this work. 

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £26832

Contract: Fixed until April 2026

Interviews: 22nd May

If you have any questions about this role please contact: .uk

This role will be delivering work along the river Bollin catchment and working across teams based in Dunham Massey, Quarry Bank, Alderley Edge and Lyme Park as well as with external consultants, partners and stakeholders.

Given the wide-ranging habitats at these locations means that no two days will be the same; some days you will be on a moorland, in a woodland or by a pond. There are also opportunities to work from home and from our regional offices to ensure the right balance is struck for both you and the project. 

The role will report to the Riverlands Bollin Project Manager and work closely with a range of specialists and property-based Rangers across the region as well as our external project partners; the Mersey Rivers Trust. The role is being advertised at full-time for the duration of the project.

More about the programme

Our main funder is the Governments Species Survival fund. It is a 2-year, multi-catchment programme of work aiming to restore a functioning network of biodiverse and climate resilient freshwater habitats. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency. Freshwater Renaissance is also supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The programme of work will be delivered across multiple river catchments at five National Trust places: Cumbria, the Bollin catchment, the Bure catchment, Holnicote and North Devon. #SpeciesSurvivalFund

#TogetherForOurPlanet

 • Moorlands 

 • Rivers and streams 

 • Ponds and wetlands   

 All this will boost biodiversity and increase resilience in the landscape as a response to the threat of climate change.   We want to deliver this work through a range of different delivery mechanisms and therefore, this role will be responsible for planning work with contractors, ranger teams and volunteers as required.  You will be expected to build relationships with key stakeholders including our farm tenants in order for us to successfully implement our planed work over the next two years. 

We want to bring our audience with us on this exciting journey and you will be supporting our outdoor engagement programme, with the support from the wider Project Team The Riverlands Bollin Project will be spending over c.£800,000 over the next 2 years to protect and enhance our sites that sit in and around the Bollin catchment. This is a wonderful opportunity to work in a multi-disciplinary environment with a hard-working team who have a passion for nature, conservation and the environment.  

The post holder will have: 

•  Knowledge of ecology and/ or practical nature conservation with some technical expertise in habitat surveying and mapping (e.g. UKhabs) as well as field identification. 
• Practical outdoor management skills in habitat creation and competence with basic machinery/equipment. 
• Experience of GIS mapping software including the production of simple maps and polygons. 
• Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation (CDM) and an ability to work safely, leading on compliance including writing risk assessments as well as safety and environmental procedures 
• Experience of delivering stakeholder engagement plans and the ability to form strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders including contractors, tenants, property teams and subject specialists (e.g. ecologists, curators, water specialists, archaeologists etc) 
• Familiarity with one or more GIS platforms (e.g. ARC or QGIS). 
• Experience of working with projects; working to fixed budgets, scopes, timescales and funding requirements. Sound written and verbal skills and ability to read and distil reports and management plans.

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)

• Tax-free childcare scheme

• Rental deposit loan scheme

• Season ticket loan

• 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

• Independent financial advice

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