Senior Countryside Ranger

Location: Dorchester, with travel across Central Dorset
Contract Type: Temporary (6 months initially, with potential for extension)
Hours: 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Thursday and 8:00am to 3:30pm Friday
Salary: 20.29 per hour

About Us

Connect2Dorset is the managed service provider for Dorset Council, delivering high-quality temporary, contract, and interim staffing solutions. We pride ourselves on being an ethical, transparent, and people-focused organisation, committed to supporting both our clients and candidates.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Countryside Ranger to join Dorset Council's Greenspace team. Reporting to the Greenspace Manager, you will be responsible for managing a designated geographical area within Dorset, helping to improve access to the countryside, maintain public amenity areas, and support the management of rights of way, nature reserves, and environmental projects.

This is a varied role that combines team leadership, project delivery, stakeholder engagement, and operational management to ensure the effective delivery of countryside services across the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of staff, volunteers, and contractors.
• Manage countryside sites, public rights of way, and environmental improvement projects across a designated area.
• Develop and deliver work programmes, site management plans, and access improvement initiatives.
• Manage budgets, monitor project performance, and support funding opportunities.
• Build positive relationships with local councils, landowners, community groups, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, health and safety standards, and operational requirements.
• Respond to customer enquiries and support the effective delivery of frontline countryside services.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• NVQ Level 4 (or above) in Countryside Management or a related subject.
• Full manual driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Experience managing teams, budgets, and projects.
• Strong leadership, organisation, and communication skills.
• Experience working with a range of stakeholders and delivering high-quality services.
• Good IT skills and knowledge of health and safety practices.
• Ability to prioritise workloads and work effectively under pressure.

Desirable

• Degree or additional qualification in a relevant subject.
• Experience within countryside management, environmental services, or a local authority setting.
• First Aid or health and safety qualification.
• Experience producing reports, funding applications, or community engagement activities.

Additional Information

• A Basic DBS check will be required.
• The role requires regular travel across Dorset and occasional outdoor working in all weather conditions.
• Flexibility may occasionally be required to support operational needs and seasonal service demands.

If you're passionate about protecting and enhancing Dorset's natural environment and have the leadership skills to manage people, projects, and partnerships effectively, we'd love to hear from you.

Connect2Dorset is a trading style of Dorset & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Dorset Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Dorset is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.