Area Ranger

Riverlands is a flagship landscape-scale national programme put in place by the National Trust to ensure that rivers and catchments are clean, healthy and rich in wildlife. The programme also inspires people to connect with rivers, nature and wildlife, increasing the relevance of rivers and other freshwaters in our lives. The North Devon Riverlands project will work with a range of partnership organisations, statutory bodies and local land managers and tenants to restore natural processes, create habitat and enhance water quality with an ambitious programme of work throughout the region. The project will bring the landscape to life and inspire people to care for their natural landscapes.

We are seeking a highly competent Project Ranger to work alongside the Riverlands Project Manager, Area Rangers and Volunteers to help deliver the two-year Freshwater Renaissance project also known externally as Species Survival (Defra). This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who has the drive and ambition to join our passionate and energetic team in North Devon to make a real difference. If you have experience within a similar project role, have strong contractor management and people skills and would like to be part of this inspiring and high-profile project then we would love to hear from you.

About Freshwater Renaissance

Freshwater Renaissance is a 2-year, multi-catchment programme of work aiming to restore a functioning network of biodiverse and climate resilient freshwater habitats. The programme is funded by the Government's Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency. Freshwater Renaissance is also supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The programme of work will be delivered across multiple river catchments at five National Trust places: Cumbria, the Bollin catchment, the Bure catchment, Holnicote and North Devon. #SpeciesSurvivalFund#TogetherForOurPlanet

What it's like to work here

The North Devon portfolio is an incredible place, with a key focus on nature recovery and delivering excellent experiences. The portfolio covers 60 miles of coastline and 12,000 acres of countryside, and buildings including Arlington Court, a 2,700 acre estate with a mix of grassy plateaus, steep sided wooded valleys and streams. Working collaboratively with in-house teams and external stakeholders across the portfolio will be absolutely key sharing resources, knowledge and skills to ensure we deliver our work at a truly landscape scale.

The role is based within our internal NT ranger team and you will work closely with regional colleagues as well as the property teams in the North Devon portfolio. Partnerships are at the heart of Riverlands and developing and maintaining good working relationships with a range of landowners and stakeholders will be key to the success of the project. Our work is part of a National Programme with many other projects and a national team bringing additional support and knowledge to our expanding ambition to create a healthy, beautiful, and natural environment.

You will have a dynamic working week and will need the ability to travel throughout North Devon for meetings. Work will be a combination of home working, working from property offices and being on site. Your main office could either be at Baggy Point in Croyde or Arlington Court. 

What you'll be doing

You will be helping to deliver the North Devon Freshwater Renaissance project through the critical two-year phase of design and delivery on various sites across North Devon. A critical element of the project will be managing contractors and internal ranger teams to delivery the projects whilst developing relationships with stakeholders in the community, whilst nurturing existing relationships.

You won’t be afraid to look at things differently and will explore and help to trial innovative solutions to catchment and climate challenges. Creating a healthy, resilient, natural environment for enjoyment by the nation is one of the Trust’s biggest priorities. The portfolio has ambitious plans and you will be a key part of helping to make these happen.

We protect and care for places so people and nature can thrive. We look after thousands of houses and close to a million objects, along with vast areas of coastline, countryside and green spaces, for everyone’s benefit. With our staff, members, volunteers and supporters, we’re the biggest conservation charity in Europe. We’re bigger than you think, we’re more complicated than we appear and we’re larger scale than you’d imagine. We’re for everyone, for ever and we really mean that.

This is a friendly, dynamic and passionate team to be a part of and a wonderful place to work. The role is initially offered for a 21-month duration and will then be reviewed.

Who we're looking for

Please see the role profile attached. We will assess your application against the below criteria: 

• To be an excellent project ranger with a proven track record in a project ranger / project management environment. 

• Experience working on land management, nature recovery projects or nature-based water projects is essential. 

• Experience in managing multiple projects, sometimes with conflicting deadlines.

• Experience in managing contractors, budgets and contracts ensuring works are carried out in line with the project specification to a high standard, within current CDM regulations. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills, you’re brilliant with people and build good working relationships with everyone around you. 

• Working knowledge of writing method statements and risk assessments. Be confident to challenge unsafe and / or unsustainable working methods.

• Good attention to detail and a talent for multi-tasking and problem solving. You’ll be able to work on your own initiative and have good decision-making skills and the ability to influence people.

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)

• Tax-free childcare scheme

• 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

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.