Assistant Rangers

Joining our team as an Assistant Countryside Ranger means you'll play a crucial role in protecting and enhancing Dorset's natural spaces. You'll work on our nature reserves and greenspaces, as well as manage 3,000 miles of public rights of way, including National Trails like the King Charles III England Coast Path and Wessex Ridgeway. You'll be part of a team that helps cut over 2 million square meters of roadside verges, boosting biodiversity and supporting green initiatives. You'll gain hands-on experience with a variety of tools and machinery such as ride on mowers, tractors, strimmer’s and other power tools.  

You'll benefit from:

• Professional Growth Opportunities: Access to training and industry-standard certification.
• Supportive Work Environment: A collaborative and innovative team culture.
• Community Impact: Work on projects that directly benefit the local community and economy.
• Being part of the team that manages Dorset’s greenspaces

What you can expect to be doing:

As an Assistant Countryside Ranger, you'll help maintain and improve Dorset's green spaces. Your key tasks will include:

• Managing rights of way and trails
• Habitat management on nature reserves
• Cutting roadside verges

You'll also work on vegetation management, habitat restoration. Additionally, you'll support our green asset management plan, addressing climate and nature issues. This role makes a significant difference to people, communities, and the environment. Our Assistant Rangers play a vital role in making Dorset a wonderful place to live, work, and visit.

About you:

We are looking for individuals who:

• Is a hard worker, who enjoys being out an all-weather delivering practical, physically demanding work.
• Has a can-do attitude, with a strong team, and problem-solving ethos.
• Care about the environment and have a commitment to conservation
• Have relevant qualifications in countryside management, environmental science, or a related field
• Bring practical experience in habitat management, vegetation control, and public engagement
• Are physically fit, as the role involves outdoor work in various weather conditions
• Hold a valid full driving license

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. 

If you are enthusiastic, dedicated, and ready to make a difference, we encourage you to apply.

At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We:

• provide essential services that support over 300,000 residents
• work in partnership to make a real difference
• value every role and the impact it has on our communities
• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

You will:

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
• have access to a range of benefits and support
• receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.

Find out more about how to apply.