6541 - Reserve Ranger, Derbyshire Dales NNR, Bakewell DE45

6541 - Reserve Ranger, Derbyshire Dales NNR

Number of jobs available

1

Region

East Midlands

City/Town

Bakewell

Grade

EO

Organisation Grade

NE Level 2.

Post Type

Permanent

Working Pattern

Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share

Role Type

Operational Delivery

Salary Minimum

£27,590

Job description

Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities

Helping to deliver the aims of the NNR Management Plan, you'll undertake a wide range of practical land management across the site. Demonstrating initiative and safe working practises, you'll work alongside and supervise others (volunteers, contractors, apprentices etc.), in addition to operating effectively as a lone worker. Key skills will include:

Collaborating and partnerships- as part of a strong team, you'll contribute positively to collaborative working, demonstrating honesty and integrity

Decision making- demonstrating flexibility, you'll use the best available evidence and pragmatism to get things done

Work delivery- prioritising day-to-day work and helping to organise work programmes for the wider Reserve team and volunteers, you'll manage projects and deliver tasks on time and to budget, recording work undertaken and resources used

Communication- you'll use great speaking and listening skills and written and non-verbal communication to tell compelling stories, tailoring them to suit internal and external audiences

Environmental and organisational outcomes- demonstrating an awareness of local environmental issues, you'll quickly build a clear understanding of local delivery plans, the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and Natural England's vision, mission and objectives

Technical skills- with a working knowledge of the techniques and practice of the management of habitats, species, access and/or community engagement, you'll be competent in the use of tools and machinery as required, certificated where appropriate, and will undertake all necessary training once in the role. Knowledge of the biodiversity and other features relevant to the Reserve and local area will be vital.

The main tasks associated with this role will be:

Implementation of Health&Safety (H&S) Frameworks and Legislation- taking responsibility for your own H&S, you'll follow Natural England's H&S policies at all times. You'll understand risk control methods and comply with local risk assessments, controls, safe working standards and associated legislation. You'll create, review and update risk assessments as your knowledge develops

You'll also contribute towards H&S management of the site through checks and record keeping (including conducting site safety audits of mineshafts, site infrastructure and hazardous trees), and support audit and review processes. Where working alongside or supervising others, you'll share risk assessments and controls with them, and ensure they follow safe working practices. You'll observe and challenge unsafe behaviours or practices, escalating appropriately. You'll report H&S near hits and incidents, and support investigations as required

Emergency response- under direction/supervision, you'll provide practical support to unforeseen emergencies such as windblown trees, wildfires, animal health, pollution incidents etc.

Site management tasks: you'll support the team in carrying outsitemanagement taskswhich support the Reserve's conservation objectives, including:

• Day-to-day practical habitat management; habitat/species/environmental monitoring as set out in the NNR Management Plan, maintaining records as required
• General estate work and maintenance of site infrastructure including fences, dry-stone walling, cattle handling facilities, mine shafts, paths/trackways, estate furniture (stiles, bridges etc.) and interpretation signs
• Operation of a wide range of estate machinery, tools and equipment in addition to carrying out their associated maintenance, repairs, checks and record keeping
• Woodland management on very steep terrain, including tree felling with chainsaws, tree planting which includes the logistical challenge of accessing the work site with materials. Other woodland work includes tractor and winch work, woodchipper and pesticide spraying
• Scrub management on steep terrain, with chainsaw, brush cutter and applying pesticides
• Installation and upkeep of stock fencing, on steep, rocky sites
• Tractor operation using a wide range of machinery, including front end loader and attachments, trailers, post driver, timber winch, mowers, baler and hay making machinery
• Stock management of the NNR's herd of cattle, used for conservation grazing. You'll contribute towards livestock checking, handling and herd management

Reserve Base/Office Management- you'll monitor and carry out maintenance of tools, machinery, vehicles and other equipment, keeping up-to-date maintenance records as NE requires. You'll support office management for the smooth running of the Reserve base

You'lluse IT and other associated technologywhere required to support and deliver your work

Financial management and monitoring- you'll develop your knowledge of procurement and other internal processes, including requisitioning and managing contracts. You'll promptly process invoices and expenses, and ensure any budget and financial risks, losses or additional requirements are reported promptly

Project and resource planning- you'll support the team in project and resource planning, helping to review and refine projects to ensure infrastructure effectively supports site management priorities and contributes to the delivery of NNR Management Plans

Connecting People with Nature- you'll meet, greet and advise members of the public visiting the NNR. You'll be involved in planning and delivering events and inclusive engagement activities on the NNR, including guided walks; group visits and volunteering, and accessible visitor experiences that tackle barriers to access to nature. You'll support responsible recreation through monitoring and managing visitor behaviours and patterns of use, and promote and recruit volunteering opportunities to build volunteer capacity to support operational delivery

Partnerships Management- you'll build and maintain strong working relations with a range of stakeholders engaged in the day-to-day management of the Reserve, including land management stakeholders, neighbours, local partners and community groups. You'll contribute to developing projects and areas of delivery where partnership working can add mutual benefit

People Leadership (functional)- you'll oversee and direct volunteers, students and contractors across the NNR in the completion of practical tasks, survey and monitoring etc., ensuring that highest standards of H&S are followed. You'll apply your knowledge, skills and experience in supporting others in their learning and development as appropriate.

The team

Do you have a passion for nature and the environment? Do you want to make a real difference and secure significant environmental gains in the present and the future? Do you enjoy being outdoors and working in a team?

Our National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are at the forefront of nature recovery and people engagement and are at the heart of achieving Natural England's ambitions (such as Local Nature Recovery, Biodiversity Net Gain etc.) and new Strategy. This role is fundamental to the delivery of the NNR Management Plans and ambitions, providing key operational delivery on the Reserve and helping to deliver the Government's ambitious 25-year plan.

The team at Derbyshire Dales NNR are seeking a highly motivated and professional individual with a real passion for nature conservation, to join established colleagues within a small team managing over 400 hectares on the NNR. Comprising a mosaic of woodland, scrub, grassland and freshwater habitats within five different dales, much of the NNR is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and is home to a wide range of rare species.

Reporting to the Senior Reserve Manager and Reserve Manager, you'll help deliver the day-to-day practical conservation and estate management of these internationally-important sites. Working both within a small team and by yourself, you'll demonstrate practical aptitude and initiative alongside excellent teamwork and communication skills. You'll be proficient in the safe use of a variety of vehicles, tools and machinery associated with countryside conservation estate work; you'll also need to be physically fit and able to operate safely and effectively in remote locations, as day-to-day tasks are often conducted on steep, challenging terrain and require working outside in all weather conditions.

Contact and additional information (Recruiters Name, Email and Phone Number)

Siân Hammerton-Fraser

Email:

Tel: 07823 391418

Closing Date:

05/06/2026, 23:55 hours

Interview dates

Expected 7th&8th July 2026

Level of security checks required

Basic Check (BPSS)

Please note the successful applicant will need to undertake …