Job Profile: Park Ranger

Employer: Based at a Country Park, adhoc work on other sites and areas working for a Borough Council

 

Job responsibilities:

I am responsible for the day to day management of the country park alongside the site manager, balancing the needs of wildlife conservation with visitor management. I am part of a leisure team of just 5 employees.

The majority of my time is spent outdoors, it is a very practical, public facing role.

I regularly use and maintain handheld machinery, hand tools and a utility vehicle. I carry out flora and fauna surveys, which help focus our multitude of wildlife habitats and I continuously refer to the site’s management plan for organising tasks and my day to day workplans.

Being a lone ranger, a lot of my time is spent guiding and supporting volunteers and encouraging community involvement.

I assist in onsite health and safety monitoring and writing and reviewing risk assessments. I oversee contractors and monitor concession holders, which include the café, angling, swimming and sailing clubs.

My role also includes assisting in the management of other numerous green spaces, woodlands and pockets of land the council own, carrying out works when necessary. This can include hedge cutting, strimming, tree pruning and planting, scrub clearance, litter picking, reporting vandalism.

Autumn / Winter involves a lot of scrub clearance, tree work, dead hedging and hedge laying as well as planting.

Spring / Summer involves lots of wildlife and flower surveys, invasive species management, lake and river management, visitor engagement and events. Unfortunately, this time of year usually brings vandalism and antisocial behaviour, which can be frustrating.

 

Qualifications & training needed:

Degree in relevant field. Volunteering and past work experience essential.

I funded myself through machinery licences including chainsaw, hedgecutter / brushcutter, in addition to a chemical licence. Employer then funded additional qualifications including, playground inspection, basic tree survey. A DBS check and clean driving licence is also necessary for this role.

Skills needed: To be personable, approachable, fit and healthy. Happy to work alone and in a team in ALL weather! Determination and enthusiasm will help you go a long way!

 

Advice to anyone looking at similar roles:

It is a very hands on role, so being physically fit and healthy is key. Since beginning my degree over 10 years ago, I knew I wanted to be a park or countryside ranger, therefore, I sought volunteering and work experience wherever I could to gain as much experience as possible. Networking is essential, get your name out there with wildlife charities and local volunteering.

  

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