Apprentice Ranger
South Downs National Park Authority
West Sussex (GU29 9DH)
Closes in 23 days (Sunday 29 June 2025)
Posted on 4 June 2025
Contents
Summary
An exciting opportunity has become available to work as part of the SDNPA Ranger Teams providing practical conservation, site management, visitor management and community engagement within the National Park.
- Wage
-
£14,526.20 to £23,492.04, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Countryside worker (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, some exceptions weekend work, but its voluntary to take those work days, paid extra or TOIL.
37hrs.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 1 September 2025
- Duration
-
1 year
- 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
- Work with SDNPA employees and designated partners to support the promotion of caring for and enjoyment of the national park environment.
- Assist in promoting and carrying out the operational work programmes to implement countryside management projects and support landscape, wildlife and recreational management.
- Assist colleagues in their work developing and maintaining links with visitors, partners and the local community.
- Participate in practical and applied training relevant to carrying out the apprenticeship as required.
- Undertake office administration tasks relevant to the role to develop business management skills which will including using Microsoft office systems and SDNPA / project procedures and processes.
- Understand and ensure high levels of customer care at all times.
- From time to time other duties may be requested by SDNPA in line with the grading of this post.
Where you'll work
South Downs Centre
North Street
Midhurst
West Sussex
GU29 9DH
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
Block release to Sparsholt College, schedule to be confirmed.
More training information
SDNPA will provide all relevant training and tickets for a fully qualified ranger such as chainsaw usage, tree felling, first aid + F , brushcutter, off-road driving and any other relevant to the role, in the past we have provided Pesticide application, trailer towing.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4(C) or above)
- Maths (grade 4(c) or above)
Other in:
Licence (grade Full)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
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Physical fitness
- An understanding of the role
- Can do attitude
Other requirements
A significant amount of work within the remit of this post is outdoors and can be physically demanding which requires a high level of resilience. Use of equipment may be required for which the apprentice will receive full training and be supervised at all times in accordance with Health and Safety Regulations.
About this company
The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) is responsible for keeping the South Downs a special place. The SDNPA is also the planning authority for the National Park. The Authority is a public body, funded by government, and run by a Board of 27 Members.
After this apprenticeship
Progress withing the industry.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SPARSHOLT COLLEGE
Helen Mitchell
helen.mitchell@sparsholtservices.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000324386.
Apply now
Closes in 23 days (Sunday 29 June 2025)
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