Peatlands Conservation Ranger
Job Summary
The Peatland Conservation Ranger should be educated to Level 6 - (Degree) in an environmental related subject and have experience of working with contractors, landowners, farmers/graziers and other key stakeholders.
* Experience working as part of a project team.
* Strong communication and organisational skills.
* Knowledge of GIS-based field survey techniques and proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel.
Salary
NJC Pts 12-15; £28,598-£30,024 gross per annum.
Contributory pension with employers pension contribution 5% per annum.
Appointment will be made at the first point of the scale.
Hours
Full-time hours – 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
Will require some weekend and evening work.
Location
Based at Mourne Heritage Trust (MHT) offices, 19 Causeway Road, Newcastle with hot desk access at other locations, and hybrid working by agreement. Occasional travel throughout the UK and Ireland will be required.
Contract
Fixed Term Contract to 31st March 2029, unless funding becomes available.
This post is subject to a 6-month probationary period.
Leave
25 days per annum plus 12 days statutory holidays.
Reporting to
Peat + Mourne & Slieve Gullion Projects Coordinator.
Transport
Access to a work vehicle will be provided to facilitate access to and from site locations (i.e., from base). Access to a suitable form of transport to travel to MHT office locations will be required along with a full clean driving license.
Other Benefits
Flexi-time system and onsite free parking and a basic health cash plan, provided by the Hospital Saturday Fund.
Requirement
Prospective candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK. This will be verified with shortlisted candidates at the interview stage.
Basic Access NI check will be completed prior to appointment.
The PEAT+ project is led by Ulster Wildlife and is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). In collaboration with cross-border partners, the project will focus on restoring peatlands across Northern Ireland and Ireland's border counties. This initiative integrates climate action, biodiversity enhancement, and community engagement to reduce emissions from degraded peatlands and increase their carbon capture post-restoration. It also aims to improve biodiversity, protect historical features, and contribute to flood prevention, water quality, and wildfire risk reduction.
Project Overview
The overall PEAT+ project is structured into three key work packages: Conservation Planning & Design, Peatland Restoration, and Capacity Building & Community Engagement. Through these efforts, PEAT+ will leave a legacy, by restoring vital habitats and fostering long-term environmental and community benefits.
Partners in the project include; Ulster Wildlife, Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, Newry, Mourne & Down District Council (NMDCC), Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark, Mourne Heritage Trust, Atlantic Technology University, Letterkenny, Crichton Carbon Centre, RTÉ.
Mourne Heritage Trust and Newry Mourne and Down District Council are collaborating to deliver work focused on the Eastern Mournes and Slieve Gullion. The MHT team includes, Coordinator ( Matthew Bushby), Senior Peatlands Technical Officer (James Fisher) and Peatlands Conservation Ranger. The Slieve Gullion team member will be the AONB – Geopark Peatlands Officer. Together these roles constitute a southeastern regional team working to improve peatland habitats in the respective Special Areas of Conservation (SAC). This team will work cohesively as part of a wider Northern Ireland and
Republic of Ireland programme led by Ulster Wildlife on a cross-border basis
Job Purpose
The Peatlands Conservation Ranger will lead on all stakeholder engagement; including landowners, graziers, contractors and other key partners. Essentially you will be the eyes and ears across all projects on the ground. You will collect data from monitoring locations and provide photographic or drone footage as required and provide input into the education & awareness raising with MHT/NMDDC and across Peat+ project partners. You will positively contribute to the overall NI PEAT+ programme and work closely with the AONB – Geopark Peatlands Officer, to ensure the smooth delivery of projects across both SAC sites.
As Peatlands Conservation Ranger you will participate in the NI Peatland Collaborative Network, ensuring that practical peatland restoration & monitoring techniques at Slieve Gullion and Eastern Mournes are consistent with
best practice, and contribute to the recovery networks overall project objectives. You will support the PEAT+ team in monitoring compliance with all relevant legislative requirements such as Construction Design Management (CDM) and Habitat Impact Assessment (HIA).
You will assist fellow MHT colleagues in relation to the facilitation of the Eastern Mournes SAC, Conservation Management Plan development and implementation, providing technical guidance and support the Forever Mournes Partnership in technical conservation advice on projects where appropriate.
Key Tasks and responsibilities
Operational
* Assist the Senior Peatlands Technical Officer to manage on-ground works contracts, to ensure delivery to time and budget.
* Assist with fieldwork for the collection of scientific monitoring data, including peat depths, water table depths, and species-specific surveys for peatland sites.
* Assist the Senior Peatlands Technical Officer to carry out risk assessments including CDM assessments for on-ground works to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements.
* Assist in the engagement and liaison with landowners to secure participation in restoration management
* planning processes and in the implementation of restoration actions.
* Assist with the organisation and delivery of stakeholders' meetings and events.
* Participate in project promotional and public engagement activities as required.
General requirements
* Actively contribute to the MHT and NMDDC teams and promote the sharing of knowledge with Peat+
* programme partners and across the wider heritage sector.
* Comply with MHT policies and practices at all times and observe the policies and practices of other
* project partners.
* Participation in internal staff and MHT Board meetings as required.
* Ensure that contact with others is of a style and quality consistent with Mourne Heritage Trusts ethos.
* Undertake any other relevant duties as required by the MHT Landscape Services Development
* Manager/CEO.
No job description can cover every issue which may arise and subsequently the post holder may be expected to carry out other duties along with those itemised above and the duties of the post will be subject to review in accordance with the
needs of the organisation
Essential Criteria
1. At least level 6 (degree), in a relevant subject e.g. such as biology, ecology, geography, land
2. management, hydrology or other related subject and a least 1 year's cumulative relevant full-time
3. experience (including placement and volunteer experience) OR 4 year's relevant full-time (or
4. equivalent part-time experience) in an environmental/ecology/land management role. It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate the relevance of qualifications and work-related
5. experience.
6. Good knowledge and understanding of NI's biodiversity and objectives associated with designated sites.
7. Knowledge of peatland habitats and their restoration.
8. Experience of carrying out conservation field work and data collection.
9. Knowledge of implementing and compliance with health and safety policies and procedures.
10. Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbally – effective presentation, report
11. writing and the ability to converse with a diverse range of people at all levels.
12. Effective organisational skills including the ability to plan, manage and prioritise workloads for self,
13. meet deadlines, plan and organise meetings and events.
14. High level of computer literacy with a good knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
15. Current Driving License and access to transport for business purposes to allow the post holder to
16. carry out the full requirements of the role.
Desirable Criteria
1. Two years' cumulative, relevant full-time experience (including student placement and volunteer experience).
2. Experience in the use of GIS software for surveying and data analysis
3. Experience of procurement procedures and associated document management.
4. Demonstrable experience of engaging with contractors, farmers and landowners.
5. Training and/or experience of CDM for Peatland Management and restoration.
6. Experience of working in remote or upland environments.
How to Apply
Complete and submit the online application in the required format by the deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please note the form cannot be saved and must be completed in one submission.
You will also be asked to submit a separate equality monitoring form.
The deadline for submission (online) is Monday 15th June 2026 by 12 noon.
Interviews are scheduled during the week beginning 22nd June 2026.
Contact recruitment@mourne.co.uk (Mon- Fri 9-5pm) if:
You have any questions about the role or the application process.
You have any special requirements in relation to attending the interview.
You may also visit our website for more information (https://mournelive.com )
Equality Monitoring and Criminal Convictions Disclosure
Along with the application form, you will be asked to complete and return the Equal Opportunities
Monitoring and Criminal Convictions Disclosure Form in a separate document. Neither of these will be
disclosed to anyone involved in shortlisting your application.
Equal Opportunities
Mourne Heritage Trust is an equal opportunities employer, and all applications for employment are
considered strictly on the basis of merit.
Mourne Heritage Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for people with disabilities. We guarantee an interview to a person who states they have or have had a disability and who meets the minimum essential criteria for the post. Applicants with a disability who meet the minimum essential eligibility criteria for the role they have applied for, are offered an interview.
We will consider all requests for reasonable adjustments for any stage of this recruitment process. Details of any disability are only used for these purposes and do not form any part of the selection process. If you have indicated on your application that you have a disability, are successful in the selection process and are being considered for appointment, you may be asked to outline any reasonable adjustments you consider necessary in order for you to take up an appointment.
Shortlisting for interview
Application forms will be processed for eligibility to invite for interview using the essential and desirable criteria. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide sufficient information for the assessment panel to carry out an objective evaluation of the breadth and depth of information given in the application forms.