Lead Ranger

The ranger team care for exceptional places, from the gateway to the Jurassic Coast in Exmouth, SSSI sites outside of Sidmouth to the ancient monuments of Musbury and Dumpdon Hill forts. The coastal village of Branscombe where you will be based welcomes visitors each year, along with its stretch of pebbly beach, and pretty thatched buildings (many of which are in the team’s care and owned by the Trust). There is an exciting variety of places to care for from woodlands at Salcombe Hill, maritime grassland along the coast from Sidmouth and orchards at Branscombe and Loughwood.

This post is for 18 months and will be a great opportunity for someone looking for that next step and be involved with our exciting conservation programme; Land Outdoor and Nature.

What it's like to work here:The Countryside Team are focused on creating a ‘healthier, more beautiful natural environment’ across East Devon. Developing management site plans with a view to improving our land conservation, develop stronger partnerships with tenants and local communities and provide experiences that ‘move, teach and inspire’ our visitors.

There will be opportunities to grow our teams of volunteers and work more closely with the communities we work in. The small friendly team includes an Area Ranger, Ranger and Visitor Experience Officer. They are supported by a volunteer administrator, practical volunteer ranger groups.

You are also part of a wider portfolio team which provides administrative, compliance, estate management, buildings advice, visitor experience and marketing support.

What you'll be doing:You’ll play an important role building up partnerships with our farming and commercial tenants. As well as working alongside other organisations like East Devon AONB, RSPB and Natural England. There will be the chance to lead on projects identified in the site plans and you’ll play a valuable role in the portfolio’s Land, Outdoor and Nature programme.

The ranger team is based in the heart of Branscombe village which is also the main hub of visitor activity. We are looking for an individual who can provide leadership and strategic thinking, but is equally willing to get their hands dirty and provide practical support.

If you would like an informal chat about the role, please call **David Ford, General Manager on
01752 346585
- Who we're looking forStrong leadership skills and experience with the ability to lead a team to deliver effectively
- Strong land and access management experience with a good understanding of conservation principles
- Strong organisation skills including time and resource management, confidently able to manage a demanding workload with competing pulls on your time
- Confident in managing budgets, finances, income generation and contracts
- An excellent communicator with experience in stakeholder management, you’ll be a great champion for the properties with a wide range of audiences and external communities
- The passion to lead by example, to deliver exceptional visitor experiences every day and maintain conservation at the heart of all we do
- Knowledgeable in health and safety requirements and other compliance issues relating to the countryside and visitor activities
- Driving Licence

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.

Benefits for working at the National Trust include:

- Flexible working whenever possible
- Free parking at most locations
- Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

Requirements :Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK