Job Details:
Job Reference: HCC621811
Salary Range: GBP 26,918 : GBP 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 and 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 an