Recreation Ranger
| Posting date: | 02 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £29,171 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 28 September 2025 |
| Location: | RM14 3NS |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 425363/1 |
Summary
We are recruiting a Recreation Ranger to work as part of the Thames Beat team overseeing community woodlands across the London Borough of Havering and Essex.
The Thames Beat team manages a total of eleven community woodlands (466 hectares) which have been created in partnership with communities since 1990 on greenfield and brownfield land. Today they support a range of habitats from established woodland to orchards, and wildflower meadows.
As a Recreation Ranger you will be responsible for supervising day-to-day operational delivery and the visitor experience, including overseeing income generating activities and managing health and safety. To achieve this, your role will involve supervision of contractors and the 2 Forest Craftspeople who are part of the Thames Beat team.
You will work alongside the Thames Beat Community Ranger and Active Forest Co-ordinator to develop the recreation offer available. Reporting to the Beat Manager, you will play a key role in the promotion and establishment of our newly created site – Hole Farm Woodland in Brentwood, ensuring that project deliverables are met, enabling the site to reach its full potential and achieve income targets.
Where you’ll work…
Your reporting office will be Thames Chase Forest Centre, Pike Lane, Upminster, RM14 3NS, however the role will require you to work at various sites across Thames Beat, including our newly created site, Hole Farm in Brentwood.
Key responsibilities & accountabilities
In this role, you'll have the opportunity to create memorable visitor/community focused experiences, maintain our recreational facilities, and co-ordinate engaging community activities. Here's a snapshot of your responsibilities:
- be the face of Forestry England: you'll provide a visible and welcoming presence for visitors by co- ordinating and supervising day-to-day site activities to ensure a positive and memorable experience.
- maintain safe and enjoyable sites: carry out regular inspections of car parks, cycle routes, and recreational facilities, including play areas and litter management, to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all.
- collaborate with staff: support Forestry England staff with public access considerations during planning and implementation of harvesting and conservation operations.
- promote responsible behaviour: deliver appropriate messages about responsible visitor behaviour and professionally manage and resolve potential conflicts.
- strengthen community engagement: develop community involvement and recreation opportunities that create meaningful connections between visitors and the nation's forests.
- support operational programmes: help with project delivery and align with internal guidance and district plans to promote sustainable and responsible forestry practices.
- ensure health and safety: coordinate emergency procedures, provide first aid assistance, complete accident and incident reports, and adhere to health and safety guidelines.
- manage stakeholder relationships: build strong relationships with external partners, tenants, and concession operators. collaborate with local agencies, such as the National Park Authority Ranger Team, to coordinate multi-agency work during peak times and reduce visitor impact and arson risks.
- represent Forestry England: participate in stakeholder meetings, events, and volunteer programmes to showcase the great work of Forestry England and foster community engagement.
- inspire others: plan, lead, and safely manage volunteer groups and programmes connecting volunteers and
local communities with the nation’s forests.
And any other tasks, reasonably requested by your line manager.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme