Boat Operator/Ranger

Please note accommodation is not provided with this role so please consider where you'll live before applying if you do not live locally already. 

Rangers have been a part of the National Trust since the beginning, our place in the organisations future means that we need to think long term about how we look after our special places. As part of the wider Ranger team, we need you to think about our impact on the environment, and find better ways to do things.

The Farne Islands National Nature Reserve is an amazing group of Islands, located off the stunning Northumberland Coast. As one of the UK’s most important breeding sites for seabirds, they are inundated with nesting birds during the summer months. Species which breed on the islands include Atlantic Puffin, Common Guillemot, Razorbill, Black-legged Kittiwake, Northern Fulmar, European Shag and Common Eider. The Islands also have one of the largest Atlantic Grey seal colonies in the UK and every winter the islands are abundant with endearing white seal pups which are born from October to January. There is a wealth of history linking the Farne Islands with early Christianity, with Inner Farne designated a Scheduled Monument, and historic buildings including St Cuthbert’s Chapel which dates back to the 14th century. Attracting thousands of visitors, the Islands are an inspiring National Nature Reserve and a valued Northumberland treasure. 

Contract: Fixed term contract until December 2024

Salary: £22,222pa to £23,000pa depending on your experience 

Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week, 5 days working on the island and two days off on the mainland (see attached document for more information about the shift patterns you'll work).

Interviews: in person week commencing the 29th of January

To apply, we ask candidates to answer the following questions within a cover letter. Please use 500 words or less for each question and submit these along with your CV.

1.    Why do you want to work on the Farne Islands?

2.    Explain how your experience and skills will contribute towards the role of Boat Ranger?

3.    What do you hope to gain from the position and what you think the biggest challenges may be?

We are developing our Ranger team on the Farne Islands and have other opportunities currently available: 

Assistant Ranger x 6: job reference IRC145962

Ranger: job reference IRC145979 

If you would like to be considered for other roles, please do apply. 

The Islands are a diverse and unique place to work, where no two days are the same. You'll be part of a close-knit team working alongside rangers and act as a duty manager to the assistant Ranger team as they welcome visitors to the islands, monitor the wildlife and manage the habitat. Boats are used daily to gain access between the islands in order carry out monitoring and conservation work. During the season group activities such as cliff counts, puffin census and nest count take place, these will involve early morning and some evening work. Depending on avian flu and building works you may occasionally stay on the island with your colleagues and will be truly immersed in island life. 

As boat ranger you will manage the day-to-day transport for the ranger team and lead boat maintenance on the islands. You'll guide and lead your team in safe boat practices and protocols. Supported by the Area Rangers, you'll have a variety of duties which will include duty managing, supervising others and championing boat compliance. Aside from your main focus of boat operations you will support the team in habitat management, infrastructure maintenance, monitoring, and welcoming visitors to the island. You'll be responsible for guiding the team out for cliff counts around the island via boat and provide access to the smaller islands for nest counts.

Due to location, we would encourage you to consider how you would travel in the area prior to applying, public transport is not always reliable and having your own means of transport and a driving license would be encouraged.

•              Minimum RYA powerboat 2 ideally with 3 years of experience. 

•              Commercial endorsement (not essential)

•              Practical boat maintenance and repair experience (not essential)

•              Leadership experience

•              Full UK driving License and own vehicle (due to location)

Additional boat training may be provided if necessary for new applications in line with boating legislation.