Area Ranger
| Posting date: | 26 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £13.74 per hour |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 08 February 2026 |
| Location: | Western Valleys, The Lodge, Wasdale, CA20 1ET |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | National Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | IRC170604 |
Summary
As our Area Ranger for the outdoor visitor operation across the portfolio, you'll play a pivotal role in delivering and leading for consistently good, inclusive and engaging visitor experiences across the property. Taking an audience-focused approach that adapts to seasonal demands and visitor needs, this role blends operational delivery with stakeholder management, community participation and ensuring high presentation standards.
If you have any questions about this role, please contact bruce.hardy@nationaltrust.org.uk
Interview date: Friday 20th February
What it's like to work here
The North and West Lakes is a large countryside portfolio which includes Wasdale, the home of England’s deepest lake, Buttermere where the Rannerdale bluebells bloom and Borrowdale, where Derwent Water plays host to millions of visitors every year. Our visitor offer is extensive and there are many stake holders with competing needs. Delivering positive outcomes in this challenging environment will be key to success.
You'll play a key role in ending unequal access to nature by working to improve equity of access and use of nature helping a broader range of people to benefit from our outdoor sites on their terms.
You'll ensure all visitors feel welcome, safe and inspired by our work to love and care for the natural world around them.
What you'll be doing
Working across the busy portfolio, you'll lead the maintenance and development of visitor infrastructure with an emphasis on maintaining site standards and improving access for all.
This is a very practical role and will see you maintaining car parks, signage trails and countryside furniture along with the maintenance of boundaries adjacent to our visitor sites. You'll maintain and develop way marked trails and will often need to manage relationships with contractors and stake holders.
You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all of the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.
Who we're looking for
Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:
confidence in leading practical conservation work that protects and enhances the natural and cultural value of the property
ability to ensure safety of people, places, and operations through effective risk management and compliance
experience in supporting teams of staff and volunteers to deliver high performance and a positive working environment
skilled at delivering inclusive, high-quality visitor experiences that connect people with nature and heritage
proven track record in managing budgets, contractors, and work programmes to deliver value for money and support operational delivery
ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support delivery
confidence in applying practical countryside skills and using tools and machinery safely and effectively to support land and visitor management
a driver, with a full UK licence
Additional criteria for all other applicants. We’d love to hear from you if you have:
significant practical experience in relevant land, conservation and access management including running small projects and supervising contractors
experience of organising and delivering engagement activities and running programmes of work that help strengthen visitors connection with nature
practical and skilled in looking after a range of habitats and landscapes, with certificates in chainsaw use, tractor driving and towing trailers
good people skills enabling strong relationships both internally and externally to be built and maintained
effective management of budgets, finances and small projects
experience of working collaboratively across departments and with external partners
a driver, with a full UK 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.
Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
Rental deposit loan scheme
Season ticket loan
EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
Perks at work discounts such as 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 Trust places
If you have any questions about this role, please contact bruce.hardy@nationaltrust.org.uk
Interview date: Friday 20th February
What it's like to work here
The North and West Lakes is a large countryside portfolio which includes Wasdale, the home of England’s deepest lake, Buttermere where the Rannerdale bluebells bloom and Borrowdale, where Derwent Water plays host to millions of visitors every year. Our visitor offer is extensive and there are many stake holders with competing needs. Delivering positive outcomes in this challenging environment will be key to success.
You'll play a key role in ending unequal access to nature by working to improve equity of access and use of nature helping a broader range of people to benefit from our outdoor sites on their terms.
You'll ensure all visitors feel welcome, safe and inspired by our work to love and care for the natural world around them.
What you'll be doing
Working across the busy portfolio, you'll lead the maintenance and development of visitor infrastructure with an emphasis on maintaining site standards and improving access for all.
This is a very practical role and will see you maintaining car parks, signage trails and countryside furniture along with the maintenance of boundaries adjacent to our visitor sites. You'll maintain and develop way marked trails and will often need to manage relationships with contractors and stake holders.
You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all of the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.
Who we're looking for
Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:
confidence in leading practical conservation work that protects and enhances the natural and cultural value of the property
ability to ensure safety of people, places, and operations through effective risk management and compliance
experience in supporting teams of staff and volunteers to deliver high performance and a positive working environment
skilled at delivering inclusive, high-quality visitor experiences that connect people with nature and heritage
proven track record in managing budgets, contractors, and work programmes to deliver value for money and support operational delivery
ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support delivery
confidence in applying practical countryside skills and using tools and machinery safely and effectively to support land and visitor management
a driver, with a full UK licence
Additional criteria for all other applicants. We’d love to hear from you if you have:
significant practical experience in relevant land, conservation and access management including running small projects and supervising contractors
experience of organising and delivering engagement activities and running programmes of work that help strengthen visitors connection with nature
practical and skilled in looking after a range of habitats and landscapes, with certificates in chainsaw use, tractor driving and towing trailers
good people skills enabling strong relationships both internally and externally to be built and maintained
effective management of budgets, finances and small projects
experience of working collaboratively across departments and with external partners
a driver, with a full UK 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.
Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
Rental deposit loan scheme
Season ticket loan
EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
Perks at work discounts such as 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 Trust places