Lead Ranger

This is a new Lead Ranger role set in the northern half of the National Trusts Wiltshire Landscape portfolio at an exciting time as we take on management of the countryside sites around Lacock.

This role will be based at West Kennett Farm SN81QF.

What it's like to work here

At the centre of the National Trusts North Wiltshire property group is Avebury, set in the northern half of the Stonehenge and Avebury WHS, with its distinctive and internationally important archaeology and monuments. Nearby are Windmill Hill - a neolithic causeway enclosure, Lockeridge Dene & Piggledene with natural sarsen boulder streams and further to the north-east is The Coombes at Hinton Parva, a distinctive steep sided chalk valley with a rich botanical diversity.

Heading west you will find Calstone and Cherhill, a further 200ha of species rich chalk grassland and an Iron Age hillfort, with many important and rare species such as the Burnt Tip orchid and Wart biter cricket and further afield, Sutton Lane Meadows, with thousands of Green Winged orchids. New to the portfolio are the countryside sites around Lacock providing new and fantastic habitat opportunities including the creation of new woodlands & hedges and management of lowland meadows.

You will play a pivotal role in maintaining and developing these special and iconic places to ensure that both ancient and new landscapes and habitats undergo the correct management for heritage, wildlife, and people.

What you'll be doing

You will line manage two area rangers covering the North East and the North West of the county respectively, each with a ranger to assist them. You will report to a Restore Nature Delivery Manager who will oversee your operational leadership whilst they build partnerships and explore new opportunities with our neighbours to deliver the National Trusts Restore Nature strategy.

You will develop close working relationships with internal stakeholders including our NT property archaeologists, nature conservation and farm advisers whilst forging great working relationships with our tenant farmers and graziers.

With your endless passion for our work, you will protect and care for our heritage assets, habitats, wildlife, property and machinery, and your passion will inspire others to love this beautiful place as much as you do. These landscapes mean different things to different people and we want you to manage our landscapes so that they are accessible to all.

You will make sure that, at every twist and turn of these fantastic landscapes, you are delivering excellent conservation work. You will share our common goals with customers and build relationships in the local community, proudly representing the National Trust.

In this role, you will work some weekends, bank holidays, and evenings. A full UK driving licence will be essential to fulfil the requirements of this role.

Who we're looking for

We would like the successful candidate to have:

• Significant practical experience in relevant land, conservation and access management including an in-depth knowledge of grassland management creation and restoration including conservation grazing with both cattle and sheep.
• A passion for the Avebury Landscape, its archaeology and ecology, and a desire to learn more about why this World Heritage Site is so important.
• Experience of implementing countryside stewardships schemes and other grant funding opportunities and a proven track record of managing budgets, finances, and contracts.
• Knowledge and experience of working with farmers and farm contractors.
• Strong leadership skills and experience of working with volunteers with good understanding of the different approaches needed to reward, recognise, and motivate volunteers.
• Experience of managing operational risk, including how to access and manage risk effectively. Knowledge of all H & S and Compliance requirements relevant to a countryside setting.

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)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• 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