Ranger

ASVA: Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions; Inverness; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A conservation organization in Inverness is seeking a Ranger to deliver high-quality visitor experiences and manage conservation efforts. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in a similar role and be capable of managing volunteers while maintaining operational standards. Strong communication skills and knowledge of natural history are essential. Responsibilities include overseeing visitor interactions, site safety, and participation in biological monitoring programs. This is a unique opportunity to work in a mixed World Heritage Site.

Qualifications

• Proven track record as a ranger or reserve warden.
• Good general knowledge of natural history and conservation issues.
• Ability to work alone and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Create a welcoming environment for visitors.
• Supervise volunteers and contractors.
• Manage biological monitoring programmes.

Skills

Communication skills

Team management

Physical fitness

Time-management

Problem-solving

MS Office proficiency

Job description

Organisation: The National Trust for Scotland

Location: Balnain House, 40 Huntly Street, Inverness, IV3 5HR

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a small team delivering high quality visitor experiences and conservation management within the UK's only mixed World Heritage Site. As the Ranger you will be responsible for helping deliver key objectives in the management plan and ensuring the smooth operation of the site. Acting as the first point of contact and main local representative, you will embody the values of the National Trust for Scotland in this area. As a strong communicator you will inspire trust and confidence in the organisation and its objectives. You will manage and motivate volunteers.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Create a welcoming environment for visitors, researchers and contractors
• Develop a thorough understanding of the place you work, enabling you to answer common questions and help people get the most from their visit
• Maintain excellent standards of site and personal presentation and safety
• Convey key information through site inductions, presentations and guided walks as well as social media and website articles
• Liaise and communicate with key partners and stakeholders including QinetiQ, boat operators and cruise ships
• Assist with practical countryside and property management
• Contribute to biological monitoring programmes as appropriate, collecting, managing and collating biological information in a consistent manner compatible with Trust and national datasets
• Monitor and record visitors in a consistent manner compatible with Trust datasets
• Report all instances of damage, wear and tear or maintenance needs promptly

Scope of Role

Countryside & Property Management

• Be responsible for managing the routine and deep-cleaning programs of the public and tenanted buildings
• Fire alarm maintenance and testing throughout the property
• Upkeep of the safe systems of work, health and safety documentation
• Undertake compliance monitoring and recording

People Management

• Work closely with other members of the team and with other island workers and may be required to liaise with other advisory specialist colleagues based in other locations
• Supervision of volunteers
• Supervision of contractors working on site
• Develop and maintain sound relationships with representatives of key partners and stakeholders who have interests in the property including NatureScot, Western Isles Council, QinetiQ, researchers and local businesses

Financial Management

• Not a budget holder but will assist in making the best use of resources and ensuring best value
• Responsible for the accurate recording and depositing of cash and cheques

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

The above outlines the key skills the job holder will need to possess and exercise. In addition, either knowledge of or experience in the following is required:

Essential

• A proven track record as a ranger or reserve warden
• Good general knowledge of natural history and conservation issues
• A proven track record on working with and supervising adult volunteers
• Ability and willingness to undertake physical work including carrying supplies, wheelbarrowing over uneven ground and walking on steep slopes to undertake monitoring
• To be comfortable working in an open and precipitous landscape
• Ability to work alone as well as part of a team, with experience of lone working
• Good organisational, time-management and problem-solving skills with the ability to prioritise and re-prioritise workload to meet changing demands
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to write reports
• Competence in MS Office software
• Ability to assess safety hazards and recognise one’s own limitations

Additional Skills

• Skills / experience in education and interpretation; working with groups; guided walks
• Environmental education experience
• Physical fitness to work alone at high altitude and on remote parts of the property, on a daily basis
• Gaelic speaker
• Bird and other wildlife identification skills
• Practical skills