Countryside Rangers, STOWMARKET

• Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
• Address: Various countryside sites across our Babergh and Mid Suffolk districts
• Salary: 27,694 per annum (pro rata for part time or fixed term)
• Hours: Full Time, 37 hours per week, working pattern to include weekends and bank holidays
• Contract: Permanent or Fixed Term Contract or Secondment, on a Seasonal basis from April to October 2026

This role is open to full time, part time, and job share applications, all of which will be assessed equally.

Join our team

We are looking for two Seasonal Rangers to join our Public Realm Team, helping to protect, manage and enhance our countryside sites while ensuring they remain safe, welcoming and enjoyable for all visitors.

If you share our values and you are motivated to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities, we would love to hear from you.

About the Public Realm Team

The Public Realm Team are responsible for the day-to-day management of the District Councils countryside sites, parks and open spaces. These include recreational sites, local nature reserves, parks and smaller picnic areas.

In addition, the Team is responsible for Council owned play areas, management of the Councils tree stock, routine grounds maintenance on roadside verges and open spaces within Council housing areas as well as keeping the districts clean through litter collection, mechanical sweeping and removing fly tips.

About the role

You will play a vital hands-on role in the day-to-day management of parks, open spaces and nature reserves, working outdoors in all weathers and having a positive, visible presence on site.

Key responsibilities

• Supervising and welcoming visitors to countryside sites, promoting responsible use and site rules
• Carrying out practical countryside management, including vegetation management, litter picking, minor repairs and habitat improvement works
• Patrolling sites on foot and travelling between locations as required
• Monitoring site safety, undertaking basic risk assessments and reporting issues
• Supporting biodiversity, conservation and site improvement projects
• Working with colleagues, contractors and volunteers to maintain high standards across sites

This is a full-time role, working 37 hours per week (pattern to be agreed) including weekend and bank holiday working.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Enjoys working outdoors and has a genuine interest in the natural environment
• Has experience in practical countryside, grounds, environmental or outdoor work (or the willingness to learn)
• Can communicate confidently and courteously with members of the public
• Is reliable, proactive and able to work both independently and as part of a team
• Holds a full, clean driving licence and is comfortable driving between sites
• has an awareness of Health and Safety at Work Act, practice and responsibility.
• is computer literate with the ability to use email and mobile devices

• can maintain accurate work records.

A relevant qualification (or equivalent experience) in countryside management, conservation or a related field would be desirable.

About us

At Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils we are passionate about building communities that people want to live, work, visit and invest in.

We serve around 200,000 residents across our two districts and are well known for our collaboration and partnership working across public, private and voluntary sectors.

We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work, with:

• 60 conservation areas
• two National Landscapes
• many picturesque market towns

It is no surprise we are ranked among the top 50 places to live in the UK (United Kingdom).

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous leave entitlement (26 days a year, rising to 31 days after 5 years).
• Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Wellbeing Support and Employee Assistance Programs.
• Private Health Care Options.
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (Business needs permitting).
• Great learning and development opportunities.

For more information, visit our Employee Benefits page.

Our ways of working

We believe work is what we do, not just where we go.

We work in a hybrid way, with a mix of office, home, and remote based working (Business need permitting). Our hybrid working arrangements support flexibility and collaboration, helping our teams to thrive.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, providing opportunity and ambition for all, supporting and enabling our people to deliver the best possible services for our residents.

For more information

For more information or to arrange an informal discussion about this role, please email public.realm@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk

Please read the Job Description and Person Specification (pdf) before applying for this job opportunity.

Closing date: 5.00 pm, 19 May 2026.

Promoted as FJ (Featured Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

How to apply

Please ensure your:

• application form is fully completed, including employment and education history
• supporting statement clearly addresses how you meet the criteria in the Person Specification

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.