Overview

Helping to manage Dorset’s unique Coast and Countryside with the Countryside and Greenspace Ranger Service. Gain accredited qualifications and broad base of skills for further employment in Countryside Management.

What you will be doing

Day to day maintenance of the country parks, nature reserves, coastal paths and coastal corridor, the Rights of Way Network (Footpaths, Bridleways and Byways) and Highway verges.

The wardening and promotion of responsible use of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), specifically on Heathland sites.

Furniture replacement, litter picking, constructing and installing fingerposts and waymarks, gates and stiles, vegetation clearance, path surfacing and repairs and livestock checks

Visitor centre work helping with interpretation, guided walks, wildlife monitoring, volunteer days and tasks such as helping supervise Conservation Volunteers, Monument Management Programme, school groups and events with local community groups (this includes work with Dorset Dogs Initiative)

The habitats vary between, grassland, wetland, heathland, mixed woodland and scrub and from small picnic sites to National Nature Reserves

Conservation work which includes tree and scrub clearance, grass cutting and meadow management, coppicing and dry stone walling.

Any other lesser or comparable duties as required.

About you

• Hands on and practical in nature.
• Voluntary experience or attended a countryside management course is desirable but not essential.
• Able to problem-solve and think on the go.
• Able to articulate and willing to communicate with a range of different people

Skills required 

Hands on and practical in nature.

Voluntary experience or attended a countryside management course is desirable but not essential.

Able to problem-solve and think on the go.

Able to articulate and willing to communicate with a range of different people

Qualifications required 

Desriable to have GCSE Grade 2 or E or Functional Skills Level 1 or equivalent as a minimum in English and Maths.

Personal Qualities 

Enthusiastic, willing to learn, strong commitment or interest in countryside management, willing to work outdoors in all weather and commit to a 18 month contract and study in their own time.

Things to consider 

This is an apprenticeship placement opportunity with a maximum 18 month contract.

There is no guarantee of a permanent post beyond this but support and guidance will be provided throughout the apprenticeship to identify and ensure a positive end result in terms of employment or further training opportunities.

Apprenticeship question 1 

After choosing which location you would like to be based (East Dorset or West Dorset) which is your most favourite part of Dorset and why?

Apprenticeship question 2

Becoming a trainee ranger requires dedication, resourcefulness and a willingness to learn. What skills, qualities and previous experience can you bring to the 18 months you will spend with the Dorset Countryside Rangers?

Working at Dorset Council

This is a unique opportunity to join a brand new council in Dorset – home to the spectacular Jurassic Coast and thriving market towns and villages with a strong sense of community and identity.

On 1 April 2019, five district and borough councils and the county council were replaced by the new Dorset Council which will deliver more efficient, accessible and modern public services.

You will have the opportunity to build your career in a modern, flexible and inclusive organisation, and this is an exciting time to join – at the start of our journey together.

For more information about our new council visit www.DorsetCouncil.gov.uk/about

Dorset Council provides a framework to explain the behaviours expected from everyone who works, or volunteers, for Dorset Council regardless of their role or grade within the organisation, find more information about this here. The behaviours will form part of the selection process, where you will be asked to evidence when you have demonstrated them.

Additional Information

Dorset Council uses generic job descriptions and person specifications and therefore the job title in the attachments on the right may differ from the job title in the advert. Further specific information may be provided in a context statement where relevant.

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

If appointed, the personal information we collect from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found at https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.

For more information regarding Dorset Council’s rewards and benefits click here.

For further information regarding Dorset Council’s commitment to Equality & Diversity click here.

NB: You will be unable to view the job description and person specification forms after this vacancy has closed. We cannot accept CVs in place of an application form as we require the same range of information from all our candidates.

Dorset Council is committed to making our recruitment process barrier-free, and as inclusive as possible for everyone.

For more information on how to apply, please see this helpful guidance.