National Trust

Area Ranger

Location: Castle Ward, Strangford, Downpatrick, BT30 7LS

Contract Type: Full time / Permanent

Reference/IRC: IRC144016

Closing Date: 01/10/2023

Salary: £26169

Summary

The voice of our landscapes, conservation champions and lovers of all things outdoors, you’ll help to keep our countryside and coast wonderful.

Working at the stunning Castle Ward Demesne on the shores of Strangford Lough, come rain or shine, your love of the outdoors will inspire others as you strive to ensure that this stunning historic demesne is beautifully presented and continues to take our visitors’ breath away.

What it's like to work here

Nestled on the shores of Strangford Lough Bay, Castle Ward is a historic 820 acre demesne containing an eclectic mix of designated parkland, woodland, ASSI grassland, 34km of multi-purpose trails and historic buildings.

Reporting to the Countryside Manager you'll play a key role in managing and inspiring our small, dedicated ranger and volunteer team looking after this special place. This varied role will include exciting tasks such as managing priority habitats and historic landscapes, flora and fauna surveys, engaging with visitors, leading guided walks and working with our tenant farmers.

What you'll be doing

As the Area Ranger you will manage a small team of Rangers working like you throughout the portfolio: following the lead from the Property’s Business Plan you will build and manage an effective and flexible work programme for you and your team. You will support your fellow rangers in undertaking engagement and conservation work, contributing towards HLS (Higher Level Stewardship) targets.

You will play the key role in maintaining excellent standards of presentation and property maintenance, successfully achieving Conservation Performance Indicator targets. You will 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 will 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.

Who we're looking for

• Have practical experience of countryside/rural skills
• Have evidence of good people management and leadership
• Have excellent communication skills including public presentation
• Have a full UK Driving licence
• Be able to manage contractors and small projects, including budgets.
• And you'll need to demonstrate the following experience on your CV/Application;
• Habitat and species surveying experience
• Significant experience of working with volunteers

   
Apply: IRC144016 - Area Ranger (nationaltrust.org.uk)

Closing Date: 01/10/2023  Location: Castle Ward, Strangford, Downpatrick, BT30 7LS