Job Details:
Job Reference: HCC621811
Salary Range: £26,918 – £29,616 per annum
Work Location: Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Horndean
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 31 August 2025
Interview Date: 11 and 12 September 2025
Access. Explore. Improve
Hampshire County Council is recruiting a Ranger to the Countryside Service. Joining an Area Access Team, you will undertake practical maintenance and improvements on public rights of way so that they comply with statutory requirements, are easy to use and are accessible to the wider public. To assist with developing other countryside access opportunities as they arise and to promote the use of access routes to the general public.
With a flexible approach to work, you’ll be willing to work both outdoors and in, as part of a team or on your own. You will be able to undertake the physical requirements of the role; have a basic level certification in the use of machinery such as chainsaws, brushcutters and mowers and will possess a full driving licence.
The Role:
In this role, you will work alongside the Countryside Access Ranger Team carrying out a range of practical maintenance tasks. You will also support and collaborate with the Assistant Ranger providing guidance, sharing knowledge, and working together to deliver high-quality access improvements and countryside maintenance.
You’ll need to be enthusiastic, work on your own initiative and have a wide range of practical experience. The work will be undertaken in the diverse landscapes found throughout Hampshire, including the South Downs National Park and the South Coast.
You will be responsible for maintaining and improving public rights of way, so they comply with statutory requirements, are easy to use and are accessible to the wider public. You will assist with developing other countryside access opportunities as they arise, and to promote the use of access routes to the general public.
What you’ll do:
Resource Management
• Undertake physical improvements and maintenance work on rights of way to ensure that they comply with HCC’s statutory obligations and priorities, Health & Safety and within budget.
• Ensure that the required maintenance of hand tools and mechanical equipment is undertaken and recorded so as to keep them in good repair.
• Complete vehicle log and keep inventories of equipment and materials up to date.
• To lead on daily checks of working yard and equipment store.
• Supervision of volunteers carrying out practical work
• Take account of the natural environment including biodiversity and conservation matters when carrying out work on rights of way.
• Proactively record through inspection further maintenance or enforcement work required on rights of way, identifying tasks and report to the Area Rights of Way Officer.
• Identify required materials and equipment required to complete tasks and report to the Area Rights of Way Officer.
Problem Solving and Planning
• Contribute towards the design and implementation of works orders to ensure that rights of way are accessible and that other interests are not compromised. Work may involve path and bridge construction and tree operations.
• Contribute to resolving problem of how to move heavy and bulky equipment from vehicle to work site.
• Help identify and negotiate suitable access to sites with landowners/agents.
• Play an active role in helping to plan the work schedule so as to complete works orders issued by the Area Rights of Way Officer.
• Support the Assistant Ranger in planning and coordinating access improvements and maintenance tasks to ensure efficient delivery of works.
Team Working
• Work closely with the Countryside Access Ranger Team, offering support and sharing knowledge to achieve high-quality results as a team.
• When planning how and when work is to be carried out, consider individual skills to develop an effective and efficient team.
• Be responsible for undertaking work in accordance with Lone Working Policy and in discussion with the Area Rights of Way Officer.
Health and Safety
• Prepare and implement Risk Assessments and safe working practices for work undertaken.
Communication
• To foster good working relations with farmers, landowners and their representatives so as to promote support for the access network.
• To advise users and landowners on rights of way matters within the scope of role holder’s knowledge, referring matters to the Area Rights of Way Officer as appropriate.
• To explain work to users to enable them to understand it and to protect their safety.
What we’re looking for:
Essential Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
• You will be required to drive a Council vehicle and must hold a current full drivers’ licence.
• GCSEs or equivalent, including English and Maths.
• Evidence of outdoor practical working experience e.g. on an estate, farm, forestry or countryside management enterprise.
• Experience of using and maintaining power tools and machinery.
• Awareness of Health & Safety procedures including preparing and implementing Risk Assessments.
• Able to accurately interpret written instructions, maps, drawings and plans relating to site work. Able to adapt instructions and carry out work to meet local conditions.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to maintain appropriate records.
• General knowledge of countryside and conservation issues.
• Post holder will be required to complete First Aid training, Risk Assessment course and gain certificates in chainsaw use and trailer towing addition to their driving licence. They will be required to undertake training necessary to ensure their competency to use equipment and machinery necessary for the completion of their work.
Desirable Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
• BTEC, HND, degree in relevant subject.
• NPTC CS30/31 Chainsaw
• LANTRA/NPTC Brushcutter and Strimmer operation and maintenance
• Trailer towing experience / certificate
• Experience in rural construction such as timber bridges, path surfacing.
• Working knowledge of rights of way
Why join us?
Our Hampshire County Council authority provides high quality public services to over a million customers. Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. A modern, forward-looking local authority, it offers a pleasant, supportive, and collaborative working environment.
Our benefits package includes a minimum 24 days holiday and also bank holidays (pro-rata) on top of your annual leave entitlement. It also includes local government pension scheme, family friendly policies and interest free travel loans and discounts. We offer a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace. We have created an environment that you can look forward to being a part of, where you are empowered to be your best and a workplace built on teamwork where people can grow and develop in their roles.
You will have the opportunity to work in stunning countryside settings across Hampshire and become part of a welcoming, supportive team that takes pride in providing a safe and accessible rights of way network for both residents and visitors.
If you think you have what it takes to make a real difference in Hampshire, get in touch!
Additional Information:
Access Ranger Candidate Pack
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:
Sam Baker, Rights of Way Officer on sam.baker@hants.gov.uk or 07834 106982
Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.
We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.