An Apprenticeship with the National Trust Ranger team.
Rangers are at the heart of our strategy to restore a healthy, beautiful, natural environment. They’re working to protect and improve the health and wildlife richness of our countryside, preserving all the benefits we get from it and helping more than 200 million visitors a year to experience and get closer to conservation of our special outdoor places.
Further information of the Apprenticeship Standard Countryside worker / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
For this role, please submit a covering letter which introduces yourself and answers the following questions:
- What do you understand about the Apprenticeship scheme?
- What attracts you to this role? How would this apprenticeship benefit you?
- What do you know about the National Trust?
- What skills do you think would be the most important for an Apprenticeship Ranger?
Can lead to an assistant ranger or ranger role and potentially move to a L4 Countryside Ranger apprenticeship after additional experience gained in role. For all these roles you'll need to hold a driving licence.What it's like to work here:We welcome some 22.5 million visitors, from all ages and backgrounds, every year. We care for historic houses, gardens, mills, forests, castles, miles of coastline, islands, holiday cottages, pubs and inns, whole villages and even a goldmine. We also run a huge retail chain, a multi-million pound food and beverage business and much, much more. And we do all of this so that everyone can enjoy and make the most of the green spaces and beautiful places that England, Wales and Northern Ireland has to offer.
You can find out more from some of our current and previous apprenticeships here: National Trust Jobs :: Apprenticeships
Wallington is a 13,500 acre estate in the heart of Northumberland. The home of the Fenwick, Blackett and Trevelyan families, Wallington Hall sits at the southern end of the estate, surrounded by formal gardens, woodlands, a walled garden and bordered by the River Wansbeck. This area forms the busy visitor hub, welcoming over 215,000 visitors a year to visit the house and gardens, enjoy the riverside and woodland walks and try the Dragon Cycle Trail. The estate stretches up to the north, encompassing 15 farms, forestry compartments, peatlands, Capability Brown-designed landscapes, providing a variety of wildlife habitats and miles of footpaths and bridleways for people to explore the countryside. The Wilder Wallington project aims to increase the size and improve the condition of the priority habitats at Wallington, working with the tenant farmers and partner organisations, such as Environment Agency, Northumberland Rivers Trust, Forestry England and Beaver Trust.
The Apprentice will work with the Ranger Team, taking part in tasks ranging from repairing dry stone walls, planting trees and creating new hedgerows, surveying the native white-clawed crayfish in the rivers, carrying out safety checks in play areas, engaging visitors in the nature conservation and access work that we do, building relationships with our partners, volunteers and tenants, designing new access routes and keeping footpaths clear of vegetation. The variety of habitats at Wallington and working with the skilful Ranger Team provides a huge range of opportunities to develop a wide breadth of experience in countryside management.
What you'll be doing:You'll be working with your Trust Line Manager/ Mentor on tasks specific to your apprenticeship and as part of the wider team and will be working outdoors in all weathers. You’ll attend, and prepare for, monthly review meetings with your Provider Mentor and be accountable for your own progression in relation to the Apprenticeship Standard. You'll be required to complete and upload relevant evidence to the appropriate e-portfolio system to document your progress as well as maintain timesheets for Off-the Job training. You'll be required to complete mandatory e-learning, courses and training provided as well as preparing for exams if applicable.
You'll need to attend 2 block weeks of training at the college in Somerset, with all travel, food and accommodation costs covered.
Please also read the full role profile attached to this advert.
Who we're looking forWe’re looking for a self-motivated doer who is able to encourage those around them; someone with a curiosity about countryside management and the confidence to connect with visitors, partners and the local community about our sites, our work and our ambitions for land, the outdoors and nature.
Applications will be assessed against the below criteria as well as the content of your cover letter
The minimum criteria required for this role are:
- A Teammate with the ability to work independently or as part of a wider team
- Keen to learn, be committed to self-development and enthusiastic about acquiring new skills
- A genuine passion for nature and the outdoors Good attention to detail
The packageThe 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)
- Tax free childcare scheme
- Rental deposit loan scheme
- Perks at work discounts i.e. 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.
- Flexible working whenever possible
- Employee assistance programme
- Free parking at most locations
- Independent financial advice