Area Ranger

Company: National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
Apply for the Area Ranger
Location: Stroud
Job Description:

This is an exciting role delivering first class forestry and woodland management and nature restoration alongside access at one of our key sites. You’ll be one of a team of Rangers based at Ebworth where you’ll be responsible for leading and managing the work programme and ensuring excellent standards of care, presentation and conservation work. You’ll work alongside the Cattle team, tenant farmers and project staff and you’ll be supported by a team of committed volunteers.

A further four Rangers are based at our Sherborne property and, together, we care for countryside properties across the Cotswolds Countryside, including some nationally and internationally important sites. You will look beyond our boundaries and work with partners, tenants and stakeholders.

Salary: £28,500 per annum

Contact: Permanent

Hours/ working pattern: Full‑time, 37.5 hours per week

Interview date: 3rd August 2026

In this role, you’ll work some weekends, bank holidays and evenings and may be required at times to be on‑call.

What it’s like to work here

The Cotswolds is a very special place to work, and we care for a diverse range of sites. The area has a rich history, and you will experience this through the landscape, the communities and the built environment. From internationally important grassland and woodland to archaeological sites and Grade I listed buildings and parkland, there’s a lot to get excited about. That’s why our team is so motivated and enthusiastic. There’s a lot going on and a great team getting on with it! Always ready to go the extra mile and support colleagues to achieve great things. This is a wonderful opportunity and a really fulfilling role for someone with the skills, experience and motivation to make an impact and lead with enthusiasm, pace and passion.

What you’ll be doing

As the Area Ranger for the Ebworth Estate, you’ll lead by example with a passion for great conservation and woodland management, quality engagement, enthusiastic commitment to partnership working and a strong eye for compliance and risk management. You’ll work closely with the Countryside Manager and Restore Nature Delivery Manager and also our Regional Trees & Woodland Advisor, given the importance of the Ebworth woods to the Cotswolds Commons and Beechwoods NNR. You will take the lead on the Woodland Management Plan, small projects, conservation work and estate presentation. You will draw up the work programmes and rotas to achieve this and will coordinate, volunteers and contractors. Like the rest of the outdoor team, you’ll support work across the whole Cotswolds Countryside portfolio of places when necessary. It’s a positive and energetic atmosphere and we rely on great team-working to deliver on our priorities and ambitious projects.

Who we’re looking for

To deliver this role successfully, you will need to:

  • Have practical experience of woodland management and countryside/rural skills including certification in chainsaw use, tractor driving and towing trailers and a full UK manual Driving licence.
  • Have evidence of good experience managing and supervising contractors and volunteers.
  • Demonstrate a passion for nature and knowledge of systems and processes for species monitoring.
  • Have excellent communication skills including negotiating and influencing and be proficient in the use of MS office and comfortable using IT and GIS systems and software.
  • Have strong organisational skills including work programming and managing budgets.
  • Be able to work safely, leading on compliance including writing risk assessments as well as safety and environmental procedures.
  • Work with partners to deliver nature outcomes.

And you’ll need to demonstrate the following experience on your CV/Application:

  • Diploma/NVQ3 or higher, or equivalent experience, in countryside or environmental conservation.

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)
  • 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.

National Trust place

Ebworth Estate, The Old Ebworth Centre, Stroud, GL6 7ES

Documents

  • Area Ranger – Career Level B.pdf
  • 20260707 Ebworth Area Ranger Prospectus(1.1).pdf

Requirements

Compliance. Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 26 July 2026

To apply for this vacancy simply click the ‘apply’ button in the top right hand side of the page.

If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at recruitmentenquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk

If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at adjustments@nationaltrustjobs.org.uk and we’ll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.

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Posted: July 16th, 2026