Assistant Ranger Apprenticeship - Level 2 – Find an apprenticeship

Summary

As an Assistant Ranger apprentice, you’ll be working as a member of the ranger team as they conserve the environment that makes the countryside both distinctive and special and help take care of our protected landscapes.

Wage

£23,810 a year

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Training course

Countryside worker (level 2)

Hours

Fixed Term f/t (37.5 hrs pw to 26/02/27).

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

1 year 8 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

You’ll be working outdoors in all weathers as part of our ranger teams, supporting our strategy to restore a healthy, beautiful and natural environment. Your role will be working to protect and improve the health and wildlife richness of our countryside, preserving all the benefits we get from it and helping our visitors to experience and get closer to conservation of our special outdoor places.

Your training will be delivered via a combination of mandatory week long college blocks and online learning, with all expenses and travel paid. There may also be opportunities to travel to other National Trust locations with some overnight stays to expand your learning and experience.

You will be based on the Golden Cap Estate, near Bridport, West Dorset; part of a portfolio of 33 places that we care for across North & West Dorset, including some of National Trust’s most important sites for nature and archaeology.

No day will ever be the same, undertaking the full breadth of nature and estate work, from hedgelaying, step building and footpath maintenance, to repairing erosion scars on historic hillforts, to surveying habitats and species. You will be joining the team at an exciting time as we embark on two large scale nature restoration and woodland creation projects.

Where you'll work

West Dorset
Filcombe Farmhouse
Bridport
DT6 6EP

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)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

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

Working alongside your mentor on tasks specific to your apprenticeship, you’ll develop the skills & knowledge relevant to this apprenticeship standard Countryside Worker Level 2.

You’ll attend, and prepare for, regular review meetings with your training provider, and be accountable for your own progression. You’ll be required to complete mandatory e-learning, courses and training provided.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 2)
Maths (grade 2)

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
Team working
Physical fitness

Other requirements

This location is in a rural area, so please think about how you’d get here for work, before applying for the job.

About this company

We protect and care for places so people and nature can thrive. We look after hundreds of houses and close to a million objects, along with vast areas of coastline, countryside and green spaces, for everyone’s benefit. With our staff, members, volunteers and supporters, we’re the biggest conservation charity in Europe. Everyone can get involved, everyone can make a difference.

After this apprenticeship

This role can lead to an assistant ranger or ranger role and potentially move to a Level 4 Countryside Ranger apprenticeship after additional experience gained in role.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SPARSHOLT COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000318999.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Tuesday 20 May 2025)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

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

Company’s application instructions

Please follow the link to the National Trust website for more information, and to apply:

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Assistant Ranger Apprenticeship - Level 2

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