IRC162516 – Ranger

The National Trust is seeking a Ranger for their Arlington estate in the UK, focusing on nature conservation, woodland management, and community engagement. The role involves leading woodland creation efforts, collaborating with various stakeholders, and providing support to junior team members. Candidates should have experience in forestry management and strong leadership skills. Weekend and evening work may be required.
Summary

As a Ranger, you’re a champion of nature conservation and the great outdoors, and you’ll play a crucial role in keeping the nation’s beloved countryside and coast in good shape, for wildlife and for people.

You should be willing to work some weekends, bank holidays and evenings, and be on call.

What it’s like to work here

Arlington is a large 2700 acre lowland estate in the heart of North Devon, where we have a drive and ambition to do more for nature, people, and climate. Specifically, this role is focused upon the delivery of woodland creation and woodland management across the Arlington estate. In addition to working with staff and volunteers, you will be working with our tenants to help them integrate more trees across the land they look after.

You would be joining an ambitious Ranger and Project Team, who are working to break the hard lines between monocultured habitats, softening edges and creating a more mosaiced, and dynamic landscape. Arlington is part of a Landscape Recovery Scheme and one of the National Trust’s Nature Accelerator sites.

It is important that people are at the heart of what we do, so that they can share, and benefit from these transformative nature gains. As our ambition keeps growing, we are actively working with communities to create incredible outdoor experiences for all.

If you want to be part of a dynamic and forward-thinking team, who care about creating abundant and diverse habitats, and who inspire, challenge and supports each other, then we would like to hear from you.

For more information about our property please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/days-out/regionsouthwest/devon

What you’ll be doing

You’ll be supported by a wider team of Rangers and Project Managers, you’ll be leading for both woodland management (caring for what we already have) and woodland creation (developing the Arlington treescape of the future).

You’ll work closely with a mix of stakeholders, including projects team, tenants, contractors, statutory bodies, local community groups and volunteers. Good communication skills and willingness to work effectively as part of a team is essential.

You’ll have the necessary skills to find, engage and employ appropriately skilled and qualified people. You’ll have previously engaged contractors in the forestry/woodland sector and be able to deliver excellent contract management.

You’ll take on a senior leadership role within the Ranger Team, including line management duties. You’ll support more junior members, help organise the team’s weekly planning, and when needed, pitch in with regular estate work. You’ll be a model for our values and behaviours, setting standards for others to emulate.

You can view the full role profile and additional information for this role in the documents attached. You don’t need to have all of the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.

Who we’re looking for

We’d love to hear from you if you have:
• Experience of woodland and forestry management
• Strong self and team leadership capability.
• Experience of delivering forestry and woodland contractor management
• Experienced chainsaw operator with competency certification to reflect this
• Understanding and experience of compliance related to trees and woodlands
• Experience of designing planting areas in all forms; orchards, woodlands, wood-pasture etc
• Understanding of the permissions and grants system related to tree planting
• Awareness of the UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS) and experience of managing certified woodlands

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

• 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

National Trust place

Arlington Court, Arlington, Barnstaple, EX31 4LP

Documents
• Ranger – Career Level B.pdf
• Supporting Information.docx

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 13 April 2025

Interview Date: 24 April 2025

To apply for this vacancy simply click the ‘apply’ button in the top right hand side of the page.

If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at recruitmentenquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk

If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at adjustments@nationaltrustjobs.org.uk and we’ll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.