Lead Ranger

We’re looking for a Lead Ranger to take on the leadership of our growing team and maximise this opportunity to deliver improvements for nature. You’ll design and deliver an enhanced programme of habitat management and priority habitat creation whilst working with the wider property team on long-term planning and access improvements on our sites.

**Salary: £30,225 - £38,571 depending on experience.**

Interview date: Friday 4th August.

**What it's like to work here:This vacancy is included in a trial of the ‘Disability Confident’ scheme (level 1).**

Reporting to the Countryside Manager, you’ll be based at Dunstable and Whipsnade Downs. You’ll lead a team of three rangers and established volunteer groups to deliver our habitat management work on three chalk grassland Sites of Special Scientific Interest. With woodlands, commons, species-rich scrub, parkland, farmland, a variety of scheduled monuments, and the registered garden at Whipsnade Tree Cathedral, there’s plenty of variety and challenge to keep you busy.

We have an ambitious programme to do more for nature by creating and restoring more wildlife-rich habitat and you’ll have the opportunity to help shape the future direction of our properties.

What you'll be doing:You’ll plan and deliver a programme of work to improve the condition of our chalk grassland SSSIs and to diversify the reverted wildflower meadows. You’ll manage new woodland and wood pasture creation projects, contribute to strategic spatial planning at our sites and develop a vision for the future management of the Whipsnade Tree Cathedral.

You’ll build strong relationships with our tenants and graziers and use the new grazing strategy report to help design a targeted grazing system. You’ll demonstrate excellent leadership skills and support the ranger and volunteer teams to deliver our practical work, engaging contractors where necessary to help us deliver our ambitions.

You’ll be forward-thinking, helping to bring our nature conservation ambitions to life, and be an excellent communicator and advocate for our work with a wide range of audiences, both new and existing.

**Please also see the role profile attached to this advert.**

Who we're looking forWe’d love to hear from you if you are:

- An experienced people manager with the ability to lead a team to deliver effectively.
- Experienced in land, access, and conservation management.
- Enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and inspiring, and comfortable working with people of all ages and backgrounds, including volunteers.
- Knowledgeable in health and safety requirements and other compliance issues relating to the countryside and visitor activities.
- Organised and self-motivated, confidently able to manage a fast-paced workload with competing pulls on your time.
- Confident in managing budgets, finances, and contracts.

The packageThe 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
- Perks at work discounts i.e. gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
- Flexible working whenever possible
- Employee assistance programme
- Free parking at most locations
- Independent financial advice

Requirements :Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK
Permanent f/t (37.5 hrs pw)