An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Ranger to work within the Parks and Countryside Service at Durham County Council assisting with the management of County Durham’s Parks and Countryside Estate. The post is based at Hardwick Park where the majority of role will be carried out. Hardwick Park is an 18th century country park located just outside Sedgefield in County Durham. Following a Heritage Lottery funded restoration, completed in 2009, the park offers a visitor centre with education room and café along with play areas, a Yurt, circular lakeside walks and various different habitats which you will assist in managing as part of this role. You will be required to undertake all aspects of park and countryside management. This includes site inspections, routine practical maintenance, working with machinery, managing volunteers, and working alongside the Programming Team to deliver education sessions and events, which all ensure a positive profile of Durham County Council’s Parks and Countryside Estate. Other main duties include responsibility for the regular cleaning, security and general maintenance within the visitor centre and associated facilities. Additionally, Durham County Council’s Parks and Countryside Service manage a further 50 sites across County Durham which include SSSI’s, LNR’s, an extensive railway path network, and picnic areas, overseen by a team of site-based rangers, whom you will also assist as part of this role. This role will include regular weekend and shift working, between the hours of 07:30 – 17:30 including bank holidays, on a rota-based system. We encourage you to contact Paul Everson via email at paul.everson@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role. WHAT WILL I NEED? NVQ level 3 in countryside management or directly related subject, or ability to demonstrate significant relevant experience. Experience of operating a range of machinery. Experience of working with groups of volunteers.Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria. If successful, you will be required to undertake and pass an in-house driving assessment as part of our pre-employment checks before any offer of appointment can be confirmed. REWARDS AND BENEFITS We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best: Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service. Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year. Excellent work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year). Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS. Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme. Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring. Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers). Discounted DCC gym membership. Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause. Trade Union membership. A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.Hybrid working would not apply to this post Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions. Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26895/Rewards-and-benefits SOCIAL MEDIA Don’t see the perfect role for you right now? Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates on new opportunities at Durham County Council! Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dccjobsandcareers/ Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/durhamcountycounciljobsandcareers EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services. We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job. As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process. Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26899/Equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-our-workforce INTERVIEWS Interviews will be held on week commencing 15th September 2025 We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran. HOW TO APPLY In line with the County Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line via the Northeast Jobs portal. Please use the ‘Person Specification’ section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed. If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27 (option 4), or the Recruitment Team via email at RecruitmentNE@durham.gov.uk We collect personal information from you when you register with North East Jobs and make an application. Details on how we process your personal data is available in our Privacy Notice. https://www.durham.gov.uk/media/24645/Privacy-notice-human-resources/pdf/PrivacyNotice-HR.pdf PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION FOR THIS POST WILL BE SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS THAT YOU HAVE REGISTERED WITH NORTH EAST JOBS, INCLUDING YOUR INVITE TO INTERVIEW IF YOU ARE SHORTLISTED. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL AFTER THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOTIFICATION FROM DONOTREPLY@NORTHEASTJOBS.ORG.UK AS YOU WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED BY ANY OTHER MEANS. PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL. VPRS/161