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Job Description

Job Title: Assistant Senior Ranger - Country Parks
Salary: £34,638– £39,309 per annum (pro rata if part-time)
Grade: D
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week

About the Department

The Ranger Service sits within Thurrock Council’s Place Directorate and is responsible for managing, conserving and protecting sites which are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Scheduled Ancient Monuments. The team works to protect and enhance biodiversity, maintain high-quality public open spaces and provide engaging opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the countryside. The Assistant Senior Ranger plays a key role in supporting these objectives through practical site management, conservation work and visitor engagement.

About the Role

As an Assistant Senior Ranger, you will be responsible for:

• Supporting the management and operation of council-managed parks and countryside sites, including deputising for the Senior Ranger/Site Manager when required.
• Taking responsibility for health and safety compliance, including risk assessments, safe systems of work and site inspections.
• Undertaking practical countryside management activities including woodland management, tree planting, grassland maintenance, haymaking and watercourse management.
• Operating and maintaining tractors, chainsaws and a wide range of land-management machinery and equipment.
• Supervising rangers, trainees, students and volunteers where required.
• Carrying out site patrols and monitoring compliance with byelaws, environmental legislation and the Countryside Code.
• Welcoming visitors, schools and community groups, delivering guided walks, educational activities and public events.
• Assisting with visitor centre operations, public engagement activities and the production of interpretive information.

This role offers the chance to make a real difference by helping to protect and enhance Thurrock’s natural environment while providing high-quality experiences for visitors and local communities.

What We’re Looking For

We're looking for someone who has:

• Proven experience in countryside management, estates management or conservation work.
• Competence in operating tractors and land-management machinery.
• Practical chainsaw skills to LANTRA or NPTC Level 2 standard, including cross-cutting and felling.
• Experience of grassland management and haymaking operations.
• Knowledge of environmental legislation, the Countryside Code and health and safety requirements including PUWER and COSHH.
• Experience working with volunteers and supporting public events and activities.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams.
• Knowledge of flora and fauna, including tree and wildflower identification.

Essential Qualifications:

• LANTRA or NPTC Level 2 Chainsaw qualification (including cross-cutting and felling) or equivalent demonstrable competence.
• Full UK Manual Driving Licence with Category C1 entitlement, or a Full UK Driving Licence obtained before January 1997.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Foundation Degree, HND or Degree in Environmental Studies, Countryside Management or Conservation.

  or

• Countryside Worker Level 2 Apprenticeship or Countryside Ranger Level 4 Apprenticeship.
• Relevant tractor, machinery or pesticide application certifications.

DBS Check: Basic DBS required.

Benefits of Working with Us

At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Important Dates

Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 10th September 2026

Closing Date (Internal & External): 27th September 2026

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

Additional Information

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:

Christopher Griffiths-Beven – Senior Ranger and Site Manager

07749 101545 | Chris.GBeven1@thurrock.gov.uk

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:

Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.

About us

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council