Ranger - Belfast

Summary

This role is a 3-year fixed term post to support the Belfast Ranger team in the management of the 10 countryside sites that sit within the Belfast portfolio. Our intention is to continue with the transformation of our places through a careful combination of nature recovery, conservation management and regenerative agriculture. In recent years a mosaic of species rich grasslands, restored peatland, wood pasture, wetlands and woodlands are emerging, creating outdoor places in the Belfast area where people and nature can thrive.

What it's like to work here

The countryside element of the Belfast Portfolio comprises of Divis & the Black Mountain, Minnowburn, Lisnabreeny & Cregagh Glen, Upper Collin Glen, Glenoe Waterfall, Greenhill and four coastal sites at Islandmagee. The portfolio is large and varied, covering uplands and urban fringe sites, Coastal sites, and woodlands. We work closely with partners in Councils and other NGO’s and manage on a landscape scale as key landowners within the Belfast Hills Partnership and Lagan Valley Regional Park.
You’ll be based at beautiful Minnowburn in south Belfast, a busy yet tranquil place on the banks of the river Lagan, however from there you will work across the sites within a dedicated team of rangers. You'll report to the Lead Ranger and day to day will be working within a team of 4 rangers. There will be lots of opportunities to input into developing plans and voicing your view on project planning decisions will be encouraged. 
Training will be provided to develop skills and to realise identified development opportunities.

What you'll be doing

With your endless passion for our work, you’ll help with the protection and care of habitats, wildlife, property and machinery. As an easily identifiable member of the Ranger team, on your best day you will be creating lasting memories for everyone. You’ll make sure we’re delivering outstanding outdoors experiences and excellent conservation work. You’ll share our common goal with customers and build relationships in the local community, proudly representing the National Trust.  You’ll share and promote the work that we do here, respond to queries and explain the value of the work being undertaken.  Tasks include:

• Assisting with the day-to-day management of the sites, keeping the presentation at a high standard and problem solving as you go. 
• Helping to recruit, train and manage a team of volunteers to help with all our countryside management work in the portfolio. 
• Monitoring and surveying our botany, birds, bats and butterflies to help us understand how we are making a difference to the places we work 
• You'll help implement compliance tasks to ensure the safety of visitors and our staff and volunteers in the work we’re doing. 
• You'll work to improve the visitor journey, thinking of how our visitors will interact with the space and how we can ensure everyone feels welcome. 

In this role, you may be expected to work some weekends, bank holidays and evenings but these will be agreed with you in good time.
Please also read the full role profile, attached to this advert.

Who we're looking for

You’ll need to;

• Deliver practical conservation work to protect and enhance the conservation status of the property
• Demonstrate a passion for nature, heritage and the outdoors
• Able to engage with visitors to ensure they understand the value of your work
• Help create a great place to work, sharing common goals
• Be enthusiastic with a willingness to learn
• Be an excellent team player
• Be able to work safely, with risk assessments and compliance with safety procedures
• Experience in a land, access and conservation management
• Experience in and working in a similar outdoor setting
• Competence with machinery and equipment as well as having the relevant certificates required
• A full UK driving licence

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.

Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you – and it doesn’t matter if you’re jam first, cream first, or even if you don’t like scones at all. Everyone is welcome.

Benefits for working at the National Trust include:

• Flexible working whenever possible
• Free parking at most locations
• Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.