Countryside Rangers in Ipswich

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Countryside Rangers to join the team in Ipswich, Suffolk. You will join us on a full time, 37 hours per week, working pattern to include weekends and bank holidays. The successful candidate will earn a competitive salary of £27,694 per annum (pro rata for part time or fixed term). This role is open to full time, part time, and job share applications, all of which will be assessed equally.

We are looking for two Seasonal Rangers to join our Public Realm Team, helping to protect, manage and enhance our countryside sites while ensuring they remain safe, welcoming and enjoyable for all visitors. If you share our values and you are motivated to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities, we would love to hear from you.

The Public Realm Team are responsible for the day-to-day management of the District Councils’ countryside sites, parks and open spaces. These include recreational sites, local nature reserves, parks and smaller picnic areas. In addition, the Team is responsible for Council owned play areas, management of the Councils’ tree stock, routine grounds maintenance on roadside verges and open spaces within Council housing areas as well as keeping the districts clean through litter collection, mechanical sweeping and removing fly tips.

You will play a vital hands-on role in the day-to-day management of parks, open spaces and nature reserves, working outdoors in all weathers and having a positive, visible presence on site.

• Supervising and welcoming visitors to countryside sites, promoting responsible use and site rules
• Carrying out practical countryside management, including vegetation management, litter picking, minor repairs and habitat improvement works
• Patrolling sites on foot and travelling between locations as required
• Monitoring site safety, undertaking basic risk assessments and reporting issues
• Supporting biodiversity, conservation and site improvement projects
• Working with colleagues, contractors and volunteers to maintain high standards across sites

This is a full-time role, working 37 hours per week (pattern to be agreed) including weekend and bank holiday working.

We are looking for someone who:

• Enjoys working outdoors and has a genuine interest in the natural environment
• Has experience in practical countryside, grounds, environmental or outdoor work (or the willingness to learn)
• Can communicate confidently and courteously with members of the public
• Is reliable, proactive and able to work both independently and as part of a team
• Holds a full, clean driving licence and is comfortable driving between sites
• Has an awareness of Health and Safety at Work Act, practice and responsibility
• Is computer literate with the ability to use email and mobile devices
• Can maintain accurate work records

A relevant qualification (or equivalent experience) in countryside management, conservation or a related field would be desirable.

At Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils we are passionate about building communities that people want to live, work, visit and invest in. We serve around 200,000 residents across our two districts and are well known for our collaboration and partnership working across public, private and voluntary sectors.

We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work, with:

• 60 conservation areas
• two National Landscapes
• many picturesque market towns

It is no surprise we are ranked among the top 50 places to live in the UK.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous leave entitlement (26 days a year, rising to 31 days after 5 years)
• Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme
• Wellbeing Support and Employee Assistance Programs
• Private Health Care Options
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Paid volunteering days
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (Business needs permitting)
• Great learning and development opportunities

Closing date: 5.00 pm, 19 May 2026. If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t meet all the requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.