Assistant Ranger in Havant

The Country Park comprises 259 hectares of land, which represents the core of a historic Regency estate and consists of:

• Formal Walled Gardens
• Landscaped Parkland & Ornamental Lake

The Park contains a Grade 1 listed Regency Parkland celebrating the designs of amateur botanist and renowned Orientalist Sir George Staunton. The gardens have recently been restored with help from the National Heritage Lottery and are Green Flag and Arbnet accredited, part of the RHS Partner Garden Scheme, and hold the National Collection of Lardizabalaceae. Over 300,000 visitors enjoy the site each year.

In this role, you will support the Countryside Ranger by ensuring that hand tools and mechanical equipment are properly maintained and recorded. You will complete vehicle logs, conduct checks, and keep inventories of equipment and materials up to date. Your role will be to deliver an agreed programme to maintain and improve Staunton Country Park, so the site complies with statutory requirements, environmental and horticultural good practice, and visitor expectation. You will supervise the work of the team and/or volunteers to achieve the above. To work with the Visitor Services and Education/Community Teams to deliver the Park’s Activity Plan. You will supervise volunteers carrying out practical work and liaise with landowners, stakeholders, or their representatives. When working on sites, parks, and Rights of Way, you will take account of biodiversity and conservation considerations. You will proactively record inspection findings, identify further maintenance or enforcement tasks, and report these to senior colleagues. Additionally, you will help colleagues identify materials and equipment needed for tasks and report requirements to senior colleagues. Recording completed works on sites, Rights of Way, parks, and attractions using appropriate HCC systems will also form part of your responsibilities.

You will carry out the day-to-day practical management and maintenance of sites, parks, attractions, and Rights of Way to ensure compliance with site management plan aims, statutory obligations, Health & Safety requirements, and overall objectives. You will ensure the health, wellbeing, and good presentation of all livestock within sites, parks, and attractions where this is part of the role. Your responsibilities will also include duties related to visitor management and public engagement across access points, Rights of Way routes, sites, parks, and visitor centres. In addition, you will assist in maintaining premises, depots, and yards to keep them safe and in good repair. To carry out a wide range of practical maintenance and horticulture tasks at this busy country park and heritage attraction. Work will include frequent site patrols and litter picking, site maintenance and the management of site infrastructure. Management will include horticulture-based tasks including providing walks and talks in what is a public facing role.

Having a flexible approach to work, you will be willing to work outdoors in all weathers both in a team and on your own. A basic level of certification in the use of power-tools such as chainsaws, brush-cutters and mowers are desirable, but training will be provided to the successful candidate. You will have a basic knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet use and will be expected to use the County Council’s online systems. You will possess good interpersonal skills and be able to undertake the physical requirements of the role. You will also be required to drive a Council vehicle and must hold a current full drivers’ licence. Weekend working will be required on a shared rota.

Our benefits package includes details of the holiday entitlement, pension scheme, flexi-time scheme, family friendly policies and interest free travel loans and discounts. We offer a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace. We have created an environment that you can look forward to being a part of, where you are empowered to be your best and a workplace built on teamwork where people can grow and develop in their roles.

If you think you have what it takes to make a real difference in Hampshire, get in touch! Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. A modern, forward-looking local authority, it offers a pleasant, supportive, and collaborative working environment.

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies. We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.