Summary
Joining the hard working and dedicated team here at Wiltshire Landscape there are two Area Ranger vacancies dedicated to maintaining our special places and ensuring they are presented to the highest possible standard.
Salary: £29,367 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours/ working pattern: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week. In this role, you’ll work some weekends, bank holidays, and evenings.
A full UK driving licence will be essential to fulfil the requirements of this role.
Based at the National Trust Estate Office at Stonehenge Cottages the first role will focus on grassland management in the Stonehenge Landscape and the second role will focus on our other important grassland sites across South Wiltshire properties as well as managing our modest woodland pockets across Stonehenge and beyond.
What it's like to work here
Role 1- You will be working on internationally important archaeological sites and species rich chalk grassland habitats across the Stonehenge Landscape. Covering more than 840 hectares and 10,000 years of history the Stonehenge Landscape is full of globally significant archaeological features and rich and diverse natural habitats with exciting opportunities to demonstrate your skills in the care and presentation and restoration on this World Heritage Site. You will play a key role in maintaining and developing this incredibly special and iconic landscape to ensure that both newly created and ancient grasslands undergo the correct management for archaeology, wildlife, and people.
Role 2 - Important species rich chalk grassland sites at Cley Hill, Figsbury Ring, Pepperbox Hill, White Barrow, as well as the woodland compartments of Stonehenge Landscape will be in your care. You will find rolling chalk downland and dry coombe valleys with an abundance of species rich chalk grassland flowers and butterflies, diverse scrub and woodland habitats and breath-taking panoramic views of the Wiltshire landscape. Between them, they read like a who’s who of special designations: SSSI, Scheduled Monument, AONB, SPA, SAC, International Dark Sky Reserve.
Both roles will have a ranger supporting them for whom the area ranger will have line management responsibilities.
What you'll be doing
No two days are the same when working to protect our nationally and internationally important archaeology and chalk grassland. There is lots going on including scrub & woodland management, practical estate maintenance work, regular volunteer work parties, and ecological surveying, to name but a few elements of these exciting area ranger roles.
It is all about getting the best out of your direct report whilst looking after our heritage and nature and making our sites accessible for our many visitors. Under the direction of a Lead Ranger, you will work closely with our property staff as well as organising the countryside volunteering offer ensuring we make best use of the many groups and individuals who want to volunteer with the team.
With your endless passion for our work, you will help with the protection and care of habitats, wildlife, property and machinery, and your passion will inspire others to love this beautiful place as much as you do. We want you to engage with visitors and stakeholders, making time to talk to them, not rushing away to the next task.
Whilst each role will have set objectives and areas of responsibility both will demonstrate a willingness to work collaboratively sharing staff, resources, volunteers, and equipment. We want these two roles to support each other to provide an enthusiastic and well-functioning cohort of rangers across our South Wiltshire sites.
Who we're looking for
We’d love to hear from you if you’re:
1. Significant practical experience in relevant land, conservation, and access management, supported by appropriate qualifications to level 4 (or equivalent level of vocational experience).
2. Conservation grazing knowledge and experience of working with graziers and farm tenants.
3. Experience of managing countryside contractors.
4. People management skills including setting personal objectives and conducting development reviews.
5. Competence with machinery/equipment such as tractors, chainsaws, trailer towing, and competence certificates as required by the property combined with practical skills applied across a broad range of habitats and estate management.
6. Effective management of budgets, finance, and small projects.
7. A demonstrable passion for heritage, nature and the outdoors and experience of working on archaeologically sensitive areas and SSSI’s.
8. Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation relevant to a countryside setting and an ability to work safely, leading on compliance including writing risk assessments as well as safety and environmental procedures
9. a driver, with a full UK licence.
The package
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)
•Rental deposit loan scheme
•Season ticket loan
•EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
•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