Countryside Ranger Apprentice

Summary

Working in a small team to maintain the general condition of National Cycle Network routes within Sustrans’ management in Yorkshire. Carrying out regular maintenance duties on the path and surrounding land includes vegetation management, general repairs to boundaries/structures and habitat management.

Wage

£24,225 a year

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Training course

Countryside ranger (level 4)

Hours

Monday to Friday with occasional weekend work, shifts to be confirmed.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

2 years

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

The role will also require liaising with the path users, volunteers, neighbours and officers within partner organisations when necessary
This is a physically challenging role that will require the post-holder to drive on a regular basis, occasionally tow a plant trailer (training can be provided) and undertake manual handling
The work involves use of both hand and power tools such as, strimmers, hedge cutters, brush cutters, leaf blowers, breakers and chainsaws
The post holder will also work with Sustrans volunteers
To be part of a small team undertaking the maintenance of existing cycle paths infrastructure and land
This includes maintaining paths and boundaries; structural repairs, vegetation management and habitat management. Work is in both rural and urban areas.
To assist with carrying out planned maintenance work on Sustrans managed land
To assist with managing the land surrounding the paths as a positive environment for wildlife and people
To drive vehicles (subject to having a licence), tow trailers and operate power tools on a regular basis and in a safe manner
To assist in leading workdays and other activities with volunteers
To take part in and lead events on the path designed to promote use of the path and increased public engagement with Sustrans
To maintain records in the appropriate format as required
To maintain good relations with path users, neighbours and partner organisations and be an ambassador for Sustrans
To use IT equipment provided to maintain communications with other staff and receive/send information required to do the job effectively and keep any required records
To attend essential Sustrans training as required by the Charity
To proactively develop positive Health and Safety behaviour and practice within the site team

Where you'll work

Sustrans Bishopthorpe Depot
Appleton Rd, Bishopthorpe
York
YO23 2RF

Training

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

College or training organisation

BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON COLLEGE

Your training course

Countryside ranger (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Assess, prioritise, maintain and evaluate a safe working environment following relevant legislation, work place policies and procedures including identifying hazards, assessing risk and minimising risk and implementing and complying with control measures.
Comply with and ensure others comply with legal requirements, industry regulations and standards and organisational policies, processes, procedures and professional codes and ethics.
Comply with environmental best practices and procedures and follow sustainability and waste management practices.
Organise and prioritise environmental and land management work activities such as habitat management, work associated with public access or assets such as bridges and scheduled monuments. This includes assessing tasks, identifying and allocating the required resources to deliver the task effectively and review completed work.
Manage a range of habitats and species using a variety of specialist techniques and resources which takes account of the local area, habitat, species of flora and fauna and levels of associated protection such as felling, pruning, planting, cutting, mowing, coppicing, thinning, spraying and uprooting, livestock grazing and controlling vegetation and invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed.
Produce short or medium term work, site, habitat action or small scale project plans for the delegated areas of responsibility for and in line with organisations requirement and based on sound knowledge of ecological principles and in line with relevant legislation.
Delegate tasks to volunteers/ team members.
Deliver work and projects on time, to a high standard, using allocated resources, to planned budget, method and quality and represent value for money e.g. environmental and land management, public engagement, interpretation or survey work.
Manage workload, taking into account competing and changes in priorities and demonstrate problem solving ability.
Communicate with the correct authorities and seek advice on land, nature conservation and asset management, such as Historic England for Scheduled Monuments or ecologists.
Organise and prioritise asset and infrastructure construction, maintenance and management works including any surveys and alternative plans.
Construct, maintain and manage a range of boundaries, public access routes, infrastructure and assets using a variety of specialist techniques, tools, equipment and resources.
Correctly identify the unique range of native and invasive species and habitats in the geographical area.
Survey, analyse, communicate and evaluate results for habitats, species and countryside assets.
Select and use a range of work-based tools, machinery and equipment e.g. 4WD vehicles, trailers, winches and other powered and non-powered tools such as chainsaws, brushcutters, hedge trimmer and hand tools, mobile devices and other technology such as GPS, tablets and cameras.
Instruct others how to use tools and machinery correctly and safely and ensure operator competence.
Complete records associated with tools and machinery e.g. maintenance, use, vibration and noise levels etc.
Engage and communicate clearly and effectively with stakeholders including the public, landowners, tenants, contractors and colleagues.
Supervise, motivate and work alongside others while undertaking habitat management, construction and maintenance of boundaries, access routes and associated countryside assets.
Present information to the public and relevant stakeholders on planned works, site designation, its species and habitats and techniques used to manage an area.
Deal with emergencies and incidents as appropriate within the limits of their responsibility, authority and level of training.
Design, produce and evaluate various types of environmental interpretation and information provision for a range of audiences.
Speak in public and engage with a wide range of audiences such as stakeholders e.g. tenants, local community or interest groups, volunteers, educational and corporate groups and members of the public on a range of topics. For example, planned or ongoing habitat or access management, local flora and fauna or history and archaeology of an area.
Recognise strengths and areas for development, creates SMART objectives in line with organisational objectives, participates in development opportunities and regularly seeks feedback.
Make decisions based on the organisations principles and relevant and accurate information.
Assess, prioritise, maintain and evaluate a safe working environment following relevant legislation, work place policies and procedures including identifying hazards, assessing risk and minimising risk and implementing and complying with control measures.
Comply with and ensure others comply with legal requirements, industry regulations and standards and organisational policies, processes, procedures and professional codes and ethics.
Comply with environmental best practices and procedures and follow sustainability and waste management practices.
Organise and prioritise environmental and land management work activities such as habitat management, work associated with public access or assets such as bridges and scheduled monuments. This includes assessing tasks, identifying and allocating the required resources to deliver the task effectively and review completed work.
Manage a range of habitats and species using a variety of specialist techniques and resources which takes account of the local area, habitat, species of flora and fauna and levels of associated protection such as felling, pruning, planting, cutting, mowing, coppicing, thinning, spraying and uprooting, livestock grazing and controlling vegetation and invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed.
Produce short or medium term work, site, habitat action or small scale project plans for the delegated areas of responsibility for and in line with organisations requirement and based on sound knowledge of ecological principles and in line with relevant legislation.
Delegate tasks to volunteers/ team members.
Deliver work and projects on time, to a high standard, using allocated resources, to planned budget, method and quality and represent value for money e.g. environmental and land management, public engagement, interpretation or survey work.
Manage workload, taking into account competing and changes in priorities and demonstrate problem solving ability.
Communicate with the correct authorities and seek advice on land, nature conservation and asset management, such as Historic England for Scheduled Monuments or ecologists.
Organise and prioritise asset and infrastructure construction, maintenance and management works including any surveys and alternative plans.
Construct, maintain and manage a range of boundaries, public access routes, infrastructure and assets using a variety of specialist techniques, tools, equipment and resources.
Correctly identify the unique range of native and invasive species and habitats in the geographical area.
Survey, analyse, communicate and evaluate results for habitats, species and countryside assets.
Select and use a range of work-based tools, machinery and equipment e.g. 4WD vehicles, trailers, winches and other powered and non-powered tools such as chainsaws, brushcutters, hedge trimmer and hand tools, mobile devices and other technology such as GPS, tablets and cameras.
Instruct others how to use tools and machinery correctly and safely and ensure operator competence.
Complete records associated with tools and machinery e.g. maintenance, use, vibration and noise levels etc.
Engage and communicate clearly and effectively with stakeholders including the public, landowners, tenants, contractors and colleagues.
Supervise, motivate and work alongside others while undertaking habitat management, construction and maintenance of boundaries, access routes and associated countryside assets.
Present information to the public and relevant stakeholders on planned works, site designation, its species and habitats and techniques used to manage an area.
Deal with emergencies and incidents as appropriate within the limits of their responsibility, authority and level of training.
Design, produce and evaluate various types of environmental interpretation and information provision for a range of audiences.
Speak in public and engage with a wide range of audiences such as stakeholders e.g. tenants, local community or interest groups, volunteers, educational and corporate groups and members of the public on a range of topics. For example, planned or ongoing habitat or access management, local flora and fauna or history and archaeology of an area.
Recognise strengths and areas for development, creates SMART objectives in line with organisational objectives, participates in development opportunities and regularly seeks feedback.
Make decisions based on the organisations principles and relevant and accurate information.

Your training plan

Countryside Ranger Level 4 Apprenticeship Standard:

Level 4 Countryside Ranger - Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
LANTRA Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
C&G/NPTC 0014-26 L2 Award in the Safe Use of Brush-cutters and Trimmer

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

GCSE's inc English & maths (grade 4 to 9 (A* to C))

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
Team working
Physical fitness

Other requirements

The work can be physically demanding in all weather No two days are ever the same and there are always new experiences for us all - we are a supportive team and take these on by learning together from the things that go well and sometimes not so well. Full clean driving licence, as driving is an essential part of the role. please confirm this in your application

About this company

At Sustrans, you'll be part of a movement to make it easier for people to walk and cycle. We're all here to change things! You'll be part of an incredible community of talented, passionate, creative problem solvers all working together to change things for the better. We act locally and think big - we have a vision of a society where the way we travel creates healthier places and happier lives for everyone. You'll be questioning the status quo and daring to imagine a different world. You'll work on exciting, impactful projects that will stretch and empower you and you'll be rewarded by seeing the difference you make to people, communities and the planet. We believe including everyone is central to who we are and what we want to achieve. We welcome difference and pride ourselves on creating a culture where you can be yourself and where your wellness is supported. You'll be guaranteed to make friends for life and work with a team that is incredibly flexible, supportive, ethical and fun.

http://www.sustrans.org.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

The maintenance team is currently running with one vacancy; therefore, one permanent post should be available for suitable candidates on successful completion of apprenticeship

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The contact for this apprenticeship is: