Countryside Ranger Apprentice

**About the Job**

**Salary**: £23,500 to £23,893 per annum.

**Location**: Your main work location will be Buchan Country Park (near Crawley), RH11 9HQ, with a requirement to visit other managed countryside sites in West Sussex. Your apprenticeship will require attendance in person at Sparsholt College Hampshire (near Winchester), SO21 2NF.

**Contract**: 30 month fixed term apprentice contract

**Working pattern**: Full-time, 37 hours per week. Flexible working options available, to be agreed with your manager.

**Employer Pension Contribution**: 19.70% this alters per annum on the 1 April each year.

**Annual leave**: 25 days holiday + Bank holidays = **33 days**.

As an Apprentice Countryside Ranger you will assist in conserving and protecting the countryside while ensuring safe access for the public to key sites.

You will have the opportunity to work on 6 managed countryside sites. During your training and work experience, you will learn to complete a range of tasks within timescales to a competent standard. The role will include:

- Undertaking routine inspections
- Logging issues
- Organising and completing practical management
- Organising small scale project works
- Working with volunteers
- Preparing interpretation
- Completing on site surveys.

The Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship will be undertaken over a 26-month period, not including the End Point Assessment (EPA). The course will be delivered by Sparsholt College, near Winchester, Hampshire and attendance will be required weekly to fulfil the requirements of the course.
**What we need from you**:

- Willingness to learn practical countryside management skills including habitat/estate management and the use of hand and power tools.
- Ability to work in a customer focused way.
- Ability to meet agreed deadlines and use initiative to complete varied tasks.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work as part of a team to provide a co-ordinated service to others.
- At least 5 GCSEs at Grades A*-C or 9-4, including Maths with a minimum Grade B or 5-6, English and Science. Or equivalent Level 2 English, Maths and Science.
- Previous experience of providing a service to others and working with others to deliver a goal, either in a job or an extra-curricular activity.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Awareness of health and safety issues.

**Rewards and Benefits**
We care hugely about wellbeing, allowing time for a good laugh, and developing our team to be the best they can be. Alongside this, we also offer the below benefits:

- **25 **days annual leave + bank holidays.
- A generous pension scheme.
- A strong supportive management team.
- Training and development opportunities, including a range of technical training, coaching and mentoring opportunities.
- Subscription fees paid for one relevant professional body.
- A range of discounts including Argos, Samsung, Asos, B&Q and many more.
- Free access to employee assistant programmes.
- Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres.
- A range of commuting and business travel discount and initiatives.

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our **Rewards and Benefits** page.
**Further Information**

Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

This a physically active role and you will be working in the outdoor elements on a regular basis. The role could involve some lone working, and at times you may be carrying and using heavy pieces of equipment. You will need to be able to travel independently, often to remote locations, to carry out countryside ranger duties, including driving off-road. A works vehicle is provided.

Job Reference: EIE01294