Lead Ranger

The diverse Stowe and Aylesbury Vale portfolio offers a unique opportunity for a Lead Ranger to join our established Gardens and Parks department. The fantastic team of Rangers, Gardeners and volunteers share your enthusiasm for conservation and strive to manage the countryside and mosaic of habitats in our care for the benefit of nature.

This salary will be applicable from 1 April 2024.

Reporting to the Head Gardener/Countryside Manager for the Stowe & Aylesbury Vale Portfolio, you'll be responsible for strategic planning and day to day management of a team of employed and volunteer rangers.

Stowe is one of the most significant landscape Gardens of the 18th Century, but we are striving to make it equally as renowned for the abundance of red listed, nationally scarce and protected species present, including deadwood invertebrates, mammals and birds.  

With 138 hectares of priority habitats to restore, from Claydon’s parkland and wood pasture, Stowe’s lowland meadows and reedbeds to Boarstall Duck Decoy’s deciduous woodland and ponds, no two days are ever the same.

In addition to habitat creation and restoration, the honourable responsibility of protecting over 300 veteran and notable trees will be in your hands. 

It’s an important time at Stowe where we are looking for a dynamic person to join the team as we embark on an ambitious period of projects to improve access to nature and carryout significant conservation. 

Stowe is a complex estate with multiple stakeholders and users outside the National Trust. Stakeholder management, community engagement and presentation standards are therefore key parts of the role.

If you have the passion, experience, and knowledge and are looking for a challenge to make a difference, why apply to join our great team?

To be successful in the role you'll have

• Effective leadership skills
• An ability to inspire your team to deliver Stowe's bold vision
• Knowledge of a broad spectrum of habitats and how to manage them
• Strong knowledge of trees and experience managing them
• Experience of use of wide selection of machinery used to maintain parkland
• An understanding of working within a significant historic landscape
• An understand of how to maintain access and visitor infrastructure

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.