Job Profile: Countryside Lead Ranger

Name: Tom Wright

Location: Based at Shipley Country Park (Derbyshire)

Employer: Derbyshire County Council

Job Responsibilities:

Lead Ranger/Ranger responsibilities are incredibly varied. The main focus is a blend between land and visitor management. As a lead ranger, my responsibilities are to lead a team of rangers, plan and deliver habitat management programmes, write and implement habitat management plans, ensure sites are safe, welcoming and accessible to visitors, coordinate volunteers, reactionary tasks such as dealing with fly tipping, routine tasks such as site inspections, write and follow risk assessments and promote environmental education though events and interpretation. There is also an administrative responsibility that comes with being a lead ranger including email correspondence, pricing up and ordering supplies, task scheduling, correspondence with contractors and community groups and writing plans, reports, proposals and risk assessments.

Every day is truly different, this to me is what is so appealing about the role. One day I can be focused on site inspections, another day I can be out hedge laying. Although I try to plan in my working week, a lead ranger role is very reactionary, a storm can come in through the night, then your next day is spent dealing with windblown trees. A report from a visitor can come in at any given time, and a skill to the role is being able to prioritise the urgency of reports. Above all this, much of my time is spent being out in the country park, keeping an eye on the positive changes made through habitat management, checking and inspecting infrastructure and talking and listening to the people that come to the park.

A lead ranger role is predominantly spent outdoors, in any weather!

Is there any seasonal variation? Yes. Winter is predominantly a time for habitat management works. While most vegetation is dormant, it’s usually this time of year when tree felling/coppicing/hedge laying work takes place, it’s a time to prepare and manage our habitats for the coming spring and summer. Summer is predominantly spent carrying out infrastructure repairs, damaged fences, benches etc, while we take a step back on our habitat management. Summer also brings an influx of visitors; this can keep us busy as we respond to queries, we also need to ensure that no swimming guidance and no BBQ rules are followed and understood.

Qualifications needed:

A degree in the sector does help in this field, but experience through volunteering with conservation organisations is a massive bonus.

I have a MSc in Wildlife Conservation and a BSc in Environmental Conservation, alongside gaining experience in the sector through a work placement allowing me to develop further practical skills and develop an understanding of the day-to-day tasks the role requires.

Additional training: There are some key tools / equipment qualifications you should consider that will give you an edge when applying for roles, though further experience of using them after completion is preferable as you will develop confidence and safe working practises. These are:

• Chainsaw – cross cutting / felling and maintenance
• Brush cutter/ Strimmer
• Woodchipper
• Pesticide
• Outdoor first aid

A driving licence is often essential for lead ranger or ranger roles.

Skills needed: A good understanding of habitat / conservation management. A keen interest in the natural world. Practically minded. Being willing to have a go at learning something new. Time management skills. Adaptability. An ability to work unsupervised. Leadership skills. IT savvy. A willingness to communicate with members of the public. Decision making. Physically fit and be willing to work outdoors in all weathers.

Advice to anyone looking at similar roles:

Contact your local ranger team, they may have volunteer sessions but try and go a bit further than that to get a real understanding of the role. Ask for a short work placement / work shadowing to see the day-to-day tasks which form a large part of the role. There is a reality to the role that isn’t always the eye-catching conservation tasks usually associated with being a lead ranger / ranger, bins need to be emptied, anti-social behaviour does occur, fly tipping / litter is a constant issue, if these don’t put you off (as they don’t with many working in the sector) you will absolutely love the role. It’s a highly rewarding career path and whilst it is a difficult sector to get into, don’t be put off if you are applying / interviewing and not landing a job. Keep applying, keep building your skill set, keep up to date with conservation and habitat management techniques and reports and you will get there.

If you have any queries about this role or would like to ask Tom a question please contact CJS by email.

Find all the articles in the CJS Focus on...Countryside Management Series here

More from Derbyshire County Council