Beechbrae Outdoor Learning Ranger (Maternity Cover) in Blackridge

Responsible to: Project Manager and Beechbrae Board

Hours of work: 6 hours per week over 2 days (4.5 hours on Friday with 1 hour online team meeting at a time mutually agreed)

Place of work: Beechbrae Wood, Heights Rd Blackridge EH48 3SW

Duration: This is a 6 month fixed term contract

Closing Date: 5pm 21 August 2026

Interview Date & Location: Online - Fri 28 August 2026

Job Purpose: Be a nurturing supporting leader for Beechbrae's Outdoor Wellbeing Programmes

Beechbrae Values:

• Nurture: we nurture those who engage with Beechbrae and the land itself. We engage in a trauma-informed way to seek health, wellbeing and wholeness.
• Connection: we recognise relationship and connection as being at the heart of Beechbrae - within ourselves, with everyone who comes to or is part of Beechbrae, and with the land.
• Curiosity: we choose to be open to exploring, learning and fostering curiosity about the natural world, each other and ourselves as a means of strengthening our collective agency.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• To plan and deliver Branching Out and other adult mental health groups.
• Develop good Health and safety working practice & carry out risk assessments.
• Provide a psychological safe place for people in trauma to be and feel safe.
• Plan and deliver activities and sessions in a trauma informed way following NME principles.
• Collect monitoring information and statistical data.
• Report regularly to management team to ensure efficacy of support and interventions.
• Undergo regular training and supervision.
• Any other duties as required to the benefit of the project.

Person Specification - Experience, Skills & Abilities:

• In depth knowledge of environmental issues and ways to encourage care & right action towards the earth.
• Prior experience running & delivering outdoor education sessions outdoors.
• In depth knowledge of outdoor based skills.
• Prior experience working with people with a high number of ACE'S & SEND's.
• Knowledge of the effects of trauma on a developing brain.
• Knowledge of trauma related triggers and ways to prevent triggering.
• Ability to work with, motivate and encourage people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
• Experience of working with vulnerable people.
• Self-Motivated team player.
• Highly organised, committed and responsible.
• Ease of working in an outdoors environment in all weathers.
• Ability to work flexibly, including evenings and occasional weekends.
• Enthusiasm, commitment & flexibility.
• Passion and care for the environment.
• Appropriate professional and educational qualifications e.g. NVQ3 or equivalent in Community Work, Environmental Education, Social Work or directly related work experience.
• Proven track record of working with people in complex and chronic trauma.
• Prior experience managing volunteers in a garden/ park setting open to the public.
• Prior work experience in an educational setting.
• Awareness of environmental good practice.
• First Aid training.
• Clean Driving Licence.

The post is subject to a check through the PVG scheme. Enhanced training will be given prior to commencing work with individuals or groups.