Apprentice Assistant Ranger (Fixed Term Contract 30 months) (pay award pending)

Join our Parks and Countryside team as an Apprentice Assistant Ranger. This full-time apprenticeship opportunity is offered on a fixed-term contract for 30 months, providing hands-on experience and development throughout the programme. You must be able to start no later than 12th October 2026.

At Bracknell Forest, we pride ourselves on being a council which is stable and well-managed where our employees can thrive in a supportive environment. We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance and offer a variety of flexible working practices, including options for remote working and arrangements that allow you to work from home, dependent on the needs of the service.

About You

As an Apprentice Assistant Ranger, you will be passionate about conservation and nature and keen to start your career and develop skills in the sector. You will have an affinity for the outdoors and British wildlife. You are someone who values community involvement and understands its importance in the success of long-term environmental projects. Alongside your job role, you will study towards the Countryside Ranger Apprenticeship. Your learning will be a combination of classroom-based sessions, one-to-one support with a workplace coach, and on-the-job learning and will last for approximately 30 months. At the end of the programme, you will complete an end-point assessment and when this is successfully completed you will gain your Level 4 qualification.

Working in partnership with the council and the training provider, you will learn and demonstrate the skills and behaviours required to successfully meet the apprenticeship standard. You will collect a folder of evidence to demonstrate your knowledge and skills over the 30 months. At the end of your apprenticeship, we will work with you to see if we can identify and secure a permanent position for you in Bracknell Forest Council.

About The Team

Bracknell Forest Council Parks & Countryside service is responsible for more than 300 hectares of countryside sites, ranging from large wildflower meadows and woodlands to play areas and sports pitches. This post sits in the North team based at Westmorland Park, but you will be required to start at other locations when required. We endeavour to manage our sites for the benefit of people and wildlife, this being a key objective for the council. Two of our historic parks have been restored with grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund. Involvement of local communities is also central to this success.

Key responsibilities

• To undertake estate management tasks including maintaining flower beds, cutting grass, planting shrubs, hedge cutting, sweeping leaves, removing litter, maintaining paths and other park infrastructure.
• To undertake regular safety inspections of the parks and address resulting health and safety matters which arise.
• To encourage community involvement and liaise with volunteers to help co-ordinate their work in the park.
• To comply with all health and safety procedures, particularly in regard to machinery and equipment.
• Carry out play area weekly inspections, reporting findings and making safe any issues.

Our benefits

• 25 days annual leave increasing to 28 days after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days.
• Hybrid working opportunities to support your wellbeing and work-life balance.
• Paid employee volunteering scheme.
• Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover.
• Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply)
• Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing.
• Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club.

Our values

At Bracknell Forest Council, our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day.

If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. We will work with you to support you throughout the process.

Disability confident and inclusive recruitment

Bracknell Forest Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and an inclusive employer. This means that if you tell us on your application form that you have a disability, are an armed forces veteran or are a care leaver, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.

Interview date

Interviews will be held on 10th September 2026. Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment. We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.

Please note AI is prohibited during the interview, any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.

Want to ask us a question?

For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact: Oscar Pickles, Lead Ranger – Tel.:07879 848288 or Alan Wilson, Green Infrastructure Delivery Manager – Tel.: 07802545506.

Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment.

We can only accept applications from candidates who have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years due to funding regulations - not wholly for the purposes of education. This role is not eligible for a sponsored work visa as it does not meet current Home Office sponsorship criteria. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK. No agencies please.

Equal Opportunities

Bracknell Forest Council – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.