Apprentice Assistant Countryside Ranger (Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common)

Summary

Join the team at Burnham Beeches SAC, NNR and Stoke Common SSSI in Buckinghamshire to develop your skills and experience as an Apprentice Countryside Ranger. Help to manage one of the finest wood pasture landscapes in the UK at Burnham Beeches and restore heathland at Stoke Common.

Wage

£25,280 a year

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City of London Corporation staff can take advantage of the pension scheme. They also receive discounts and special offers for a wide range of products and services.

Training course

Countryside worker (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm for Burnham Beeches and Stoke common with occasional weekend days/evenings, with time off in lieu, other location(s) etc.

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 30 June 2025

Duration

1 year 7 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

Purpose of Post

Assist the Ranger Team to deliver the aims and objectives of the Ashtead Common Management Plan.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Patrol Ashtead Common in uniform to protect the site and visitors from harm. This will involve enforcing byelaws, reporting incidents, removing hazards and collecting litter
Contribute to the promotion of Ashtead Common by regular contact and communication with the public via routine patrolling, guided walks and presentations
Assist with the planning and delivery of educational visits and activities for organised groups
Assist the Ranger Team to deliver conservation and site management plans and work programmes by carrying out a range of practical site management tasks
Operate and maintain a variety of hand and power tools, machinery and vehicles
Provide support for volunteer tasks and lead groups of volunteers as required
Assist the Ranger Team to undertake surveys and monitoring work as required
Develop delegated projects and countryside management activities by planning, consulting, resourcing and leading colleagues and volunteers to achieve the desired outcomes
Undertake routine checks, audits and data gathering activities as required keeping accurate and clear records
Assist with the development and implementation of safety systems, including risk assessments, safe systems of work, COSHH assessments, procedures and guidance. Ensure own activities fully comply with these and report observed contraventions to the Ranger Team
Demonstrate a commitment to professional development and continuous learning, undertaking vocational and structured training identified through the Apprentice Programme and regular reviews with the Senior Ranger
Assist with the drafting of posters, displays, articles and social media messages
Actively seek to implement the City of London’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy in relation to the duties of the post, and at all times give due regard to the health and safety of both themselves and others when carrying out their duties
Actively seek to implement the City of London’s Equal Opportunity Policy and the objective to promote equality of opportunity in relation to the duties of the post
To undertake any other duties that may reasonably be requested appropriate to the grade

Where you’ll work

Burnham Beeches Office
Hawthorn Lane
Farnham Common
Slough
SL2 3TE

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

SPARSHOLT COLLEGE

Your training course

Countryside worker (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

Manage habitats using a range of specialist techniques such as coppicing, hedge laying, river/stream bank stabilisation and establishing native plants, using appropriate tools and equipment. This could also include new and developing sustainable practices such as using natural materials to manage excessive rainfall (in constructing leaky dams and bale dams) and subsequently manage erosion and flood damage.
Construct or repair boundaries including different fencing types (such as post and rail, stock fencing), hedging (establishing a new hedge or laying an existing hedge) and dry stone walling depending on the geographic location/landscape and local natural materials.
Construct or maintain access ways, for example a path surface using aggregate, stone pitching, slabs, bark, concrete or tarmac. This will include the skills to ensure that the path surface drains properly.
Manage vegetation in a range of different situations, for example strimming pathways, using pesticides, managing trees and hedgerows, eradicating invasive species in order to conserve native flora and fauna.
Construct and /or maintain site furniture for access and interpretation. For example, bridges, gates, stiles, boardwalks, signs/waymarks or information boards using sustainable materials where possible. This will involve both following standard methods and also undertaking site specific design. For example, installing a gate on a sloping field will involve modifying the standard method, while every river or stream crossing while require a different design.
Use a range of hand tools and powered tools safely such as hammers, panel saws, levels, drills, strimmers or chainsaws, hold the relevant certification for powered equipment and undertake the routine maintenance of the tools used.
Problem solving: be resourceful in finding solutions to problems that may arise in day to day work and know when to ask a supervisor for advice.
Identify a range of British flora and fauna native to the specific local area e.g. commonly seen birds, mammals, insects, herbs, flowers, trees or fungi to determine the appropriate habitat management needed.
Undertake surveys which feed in to site management plans and work plans, for example, survey habitats and species, numbers of visitors, the condition of Rights of Way or structures/furniture.
Write a simple dynamic risk assessment and be able to use it on site. Use the risk assessment as the basis of working safely; understanding the hazards on the site and involved in the wide range of practical tasks undertaken by Countryside Workers. Know how to reduce these risks to an acceptable level for themselves, the public and colleagues through using safe working practices and wearing personal protective equipment.
Communicate effectively in a range of situations e.g. through face to face interaction, electronic communication, telephoning or presenting to members of the public, contractors, colleagues or landowners.

Your training plan

You will be supported to achieve the Countryside Worker Level 2 apprenticeship. Theoretical training will be delivered weekly with the support of the training provider. Practical training and support will be given in the workplace, allowing you to embed your learning in the working environment. You will receive hours 6 per week to support with your apprenticeship studies.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 5)
Maths (grade 5)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness

Other requirements

Please ensure that you answer the questions in the Recruitment Information Pack - please include your answers in the supporting information section of the application form.

About this company

The City Corporation with a rich history that precedes parliament, the City Corporation has been an ever constant throughout history adapting in order to meet modern demands of the City it serves, and is home to some of the world’s most striking modern architecture. The City of London Corporation forms part of London as a whole, along with the 32 London Boroughs who have responsibility for local government services within their local area. Based at the Guildhall the City Corporation looks after and promotes the City of London.

https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/burnham-beeches-and-stoke-common (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, we aim to offer a permanent role within the team if a position is available. Alternatively, we shall endeavour to secure an alternative position within the City of London Corporation.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

City of London Corporation

Martin.Hartup@cityoflondon.gov.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000317760.

Apply now

Closes in 22 days (Thursday 22 May 2025)

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

Please apply online and ensure that you answer the questions in the Recruitment Information Pack - please include your answers in the supporting information section of the application form.

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