Ranger (Visitor Services) – Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve

We are seeking an experienced and passionate ranger who is enthusiastic about wildlife, the countryside, and recreation to join the team at Durlston Country Park  National Nature Reserve. This a stunning gem on the Jurassic Coast, renowned for its rich biodiversity and historical significance is home to many rare species of wildlife, our park offers breathtaking views, fascinating geological formations, and a wealth of cultural heritage. Attracting thousands of visitors annually through day visits, events, weddings, and tourism, Durlston is a vibrant hub for nature lovers, history and art  enthusiasts alike.

As a ranger at Durlston, you will play a crucial role in promoting and sharing the unique assets of our park with visitors. Your responsibilities will include:

• Social Media: Promoting the park and its activities through various social media platforms
• Events: Organizing, leading and promoting events and exhibitions that celebrate the park's natural and cultural heritage.
• Visitor Centre Services: As duty Ranger work alongside volunteers to provide a high quality reception to visitors during their visit and assist in the day to day operation of the retail, building facilities and administration.
• Interpretation: Providing informative and inspiring tours and talks about the park's wildlife, geology, and history.
• Play: Creating engaging and interactive experiences for visitors of all ages.
• Education: Developing and delivering educational programs for schools and community groups.
• Conservation: Implementing and overseeing conservation projects to protect and enhance our natural habitats.

 This role is designed to help ensure the efficient delivery of a highly successful and reputable Country Park, so being organised with good customer service skills and the ability to manage a varied workload will be key.

Essentials…

• Proven experience in wildlife conservation, countryside management, or a related field.
• Experience of working in a busy customer facing environment,
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to engage with a diverse audience and foster a love for nature.
• Proficiency in using social media for promotional purposes.
• Enthusiasm for outdoor activities, events and environmental education.

Why Join Us? At Durlston, you'll be part of a dedicated team committed to preserving and celebrating the natural beauty and historical significance of our park. You'll have the opportunity to make a real impact, inspire visitors, and contribute to the promotion and conservation of our precious wildlife and habitats.

If you are passionate about nature and eager to share your knowledge and enthusiasm with others, we would love to hear from you.  Join us at Durlston Country Park and be a part of something truly special!

Onsite training will be provided to the successful candidate, along with practical training and knowledge.

This post will involve working on a 4week rota to average 37hrs per week, but part time hours can be considered as a job share, to include regular weekends (2 of 4), evenings and bank holidays. 

You must be willing to work during school holidays and weekends and to wear a uniform. Due to the nature of the role a DBS check will be required on employment.

For an informal confidential discussion about this role, please contact Katie Black 01929 424443 or via email; [email protected]

Provisional interview date Thursday 10^th July, at Durlston Country Park, the interview is likely to include formal interview, short presentation and 'paperwork/computer' based tasks associated with the job role

This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders. 

We’re passionate about making Dorset a great place to live, work and visit. Working for us should be no exception. 

At Dorset Council we: 

• provide more than 450 services to over 300,000 residents 
• have ambitious aspirations  
• are excited about our future 
• care about Dorset and all the people who live here 
• know that all roles make a difference and that our employees are key to our success 

You will: 

• have access to a range of employee benefits  
• be part of an organisation that supports each other to grow and succeed 
• have access to range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression 

We are challenging ourselves to become a more diverse and inclusive organisation. We recognise that recruitment and inclusion of individuals with diverse skills, perspectives and backgrounds will bring real strength to the council and our communities. We have a commitment to equality and welcome applications from everyone. 

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We offer an interview to everyone who declares a disability and meets the essential criteria for the role. We are keen to make our interviews accessible. Let us know on your job application if you have a disability and need any reasonable adjustments. 

We also look for applicants who share our commitment to our values. We will ask you to evidence when you have demonstrated them as part of the selection process. 

This role is UK based and we will need to establish your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. 

We use generic job descriptions and person specifications. This means the job title on any attachments may differ from the job title in the advert. We may provide specific information in a context statement if relevant. 

Find out more about how to apply.