Ranger

**NORTHUMBERLAND NATIONAL PARK**

Post: Ranger
- Northern Area (Rothbury Base)

Department: Park Management - Conservation & Environment

Responsible to: Senior Ranger

Responsible for: No direct reports

Grade: Band 4

**Job Purpose**:
Support the Ranger Team in delivering activities which meet corporate objectives and targets**, **providing a welcome for visitors and recreational users and initiate skillstraining for trainees, apprentices, volunteers and contractors.

Role will be responsible for a specific (and defined) geographical area in the National Park. Supporting the collective work of the ranger function across the park including; visitor and stakeholder engagement, maintenance of NNPA infrastructure and assets. Whilst supporting health & safety compliance requirements for public spaces.

**Key Result Areas**

Operations
- Assist the visiting public and users with information and guidance. Participate in and supervise positive and effective programmes of visitor management ensuring observance of byelaws and good behaviour on access land and the Authority’s property.
- Identify opportunities for apprenticeships and day-to-day supervision of volunteers.
- Ensure the efficient execution of agreed monitoring, maintenance programmes and improvement tasks on public rights of way, accessibility routes and access points ensuring enquiries and complaints are dealt with effectively.
- Support and maintain NNPA’s physical assets across the park, maintaining a high standard of compliance and appearance.
- Monitor the condition of the Authority’s sites and properties and ensure that routine maintenance is carried out in a satisfactory manner.
- Assist users (including NNPA staff & tenants) with support, information and guidance.
- Work with specialists and partners to deliver internal Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) for events, education, conservation and enhancement of corporate objectives and targets especially in respect of the Biodiversity Action Plan, net-zero 2030, access and historic environment.
- Working with the Education and Engagement team act as a lead ranger to deliver a programme of sessions to student and groups throughout the year
- Assist in the recruitment and selection of volunteers and trainees and provide motivation and supervision providing an environment of development and learning through projects and skills exchange.
- When necessary provide first aid for colleagues and visitors.
- Carry out day-to-day supervision of contractors, volunteers in order to meet key objectives and outputs.

Project Development and Implementation
- As required, develop, manage or participate in the delivery of projects, monitoring identified outputs and milestones under the direction of the Senior Ranger or designated lead.
- Work with farming team and other community groups to identify, facilitate and implement sustainable projects.

Advocacy & Partnership working
- Seek innovative ways to improve communications between partner organisations and stakeholders; in particular events, shows, educational, engagement and interpretive activities.
- Represent the Authority and provide guidance and assistance to partner organisations, local bodies, stakeholders and the media.
- As part of a team, support a culture which fosters innovation, creativity, open communication and collaboration throughout the Authority.
- Foster and maintain positive relationships with communities and key stakeholders within the National Park.

Asset and Performance Management.
- Record and report service targets for Ranger engagement.

Other Duties
- Collect cash from car parking machines ensuring Health and Safety and audit procedures are adhered to.
- Drive the vehicles provided and keep proper vehicle records. Regularly clean and check vehicles and account for and maintain any equipment, clothing, tools and supplies that are provided.
- Participate in other comparable duties as may be required by the Authority under direction of the Senior Ranger.
- Proactively support the promotion of equality and inclusion in all areas of work

**NORTHUMBERLAND NATIONAL PARK**

**Person Specification**

**Essential**

Knowledge
- Formal training or experience in a Ranger based or countryside management discipline.
- Sound knowledge of countryside recreation/rights of way issues.
- Good working knowledge of conservation and rural land management.
- Numeracy and literacy to GCSE level or equivalent

**Skills**:

- Good communication skills and confidence in dealing with the public

Experience
- Experience of working with and supervising volunteers, community groups and student placements.
- Ability to monitor and survey rights of way.
- Be able to assist with the delivery of programmes of engagement and education work including leading guided walks.
- Able to work on own initiative, alone and unsupervised.
- Ability and experience of working with school groups to deliver education sessions

Personal Qualities
- Physically fit for the stated