Summary
The voice of our landscapes, conservation champions and lovers of all things outdoors, you’ll help to keep the British countryside and coast wonderful. Working in some of the nation’s most stunning places and spaces, come rain or shine, your love of the outdoors will inspire others as you strive to ensure that landscapes are beautifully presented and continue to take our visitors’ breath away.
Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve is a beautiful, open and wild landscape. You’ll be playing an integral role in helping manage one of the country’s most biodiverse sites.
You’ll be required to work 1 weekend in 4, as part of a duty ranger rota.
Salary: £27,612 per annum
What it's like to work here
Reporting to the Countryside Manager, you'll become part of a committed and dynamic team responsible for the stewardship of Wicken Fen - one of Britain’s oldest and most ecologically significant nature reserves. Wicken Fen encompasses one of the last remaining undrained fragments of fenland and holds multiple conservation designations, including Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Area of Conservation (SAC), National Nature Reserve (NNR), and Ramsar status.The wider reserve is a pioneering example of landscape-scale conservation, where extensive grazing by Highland cattle and breeding Konik ponies plays a vital role in shaping a rich and varied habitat mosaic. As part of our ambitious 100-year vision, we aim to expand the current 820-hectare site into a 5,300-hectare nature reserve through strategic partnerships and land acquisition, ultimately establishing a continuous wildlife corridor reaching the outskirts of Cambridge.As a duty manager, you'll be responsible on the day for the smooth running of the property during opening hours, acting as the main contact point for staff, volunteers, and customers in case of emergency, enquiry or complaint.
What you'll be doing
You'll take a leading position in delivering our comprehensive ecological monitoring programme. You'll be responsible for undertaking surveys, managing and coordinating our extensive and committed ecological volunteer team, and collating and interpreting data. You'll also liaise with research partners and external surveyors to enhance our understanding of the site and to evaluate the effectiveness of our management practices.
Working in close partnership with the Area Ranger, Livestock Manager, and the wider Ranger team, you w'll play an active role in the protection and stewardship of habitats, infrastructure, machinery, and our extensive grazing system. The work spans a diverse mosaic of habitats, offering considerable variety-from scrub management to operating a range of machinery, including our Softrak to manage the ancient fen. You'll also be responsible for maintaining paths, fences, and site furniture to ensure the site remains safe, accessible, and well cared for.
As a member of the Countryside team, you'll be a part of the face of the National Trust at a local level, engaging with visitors, tenants and neighbours; making time to talk to them and share your enthusiasm for nature, the outdoors and our countryside. You’ll also work with our Visitor Experience team to share and promote the work that we do here, ensuring special places like Wicken Fen are here to be both protected and enjoyed by everyone for ever.
Who we're looking for
Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:
1. ability to carry out physical tasks to protect and improve land, habitats, and access
2. confidence in helping visitors understand and enjoy the place and its conservation work
3. understanding of safety procedures and ability to help others stay safe
4. experience in working well with colleagues and supporting volunteers
5. capability to organise work and use tools, time and materials responsibly
6. awareness of how to help the property run well and support its long-term future
7. a driver with a full UK driving licence
Criteria for all other applicants:
8. good ecological understanding and field identification skills, including experience with undertaking field surveys.
9. able to support and motivate volunteers to perform at their best with your passion for nature conservation
10. good people skills, to work well and effectively within a team
11. practically experienced in conservation work, to protect and improve habitats and landscapes
12. able to work safely, using risk assessments and following guidelines
13. experienced in managing land, access and conservation, and working outdoors
14. able to use machinery and equipment, with relevant certificates
15. a driver with a full UK driving 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