Countryside Ranger

We are delighted to advertise the opportunity to become a Countryside Ranger at Camphill Village Trust.

As a national charity and not-for-profit organisation, The Trust, has for almost 70 years been providing a range of care, support and accommodation for people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health challenges and complex needs. We support around 550 adults in nine communities and through Day Opportunities across England.

Our aim is to empower people with disabilities to lead more connected, fulfilled lives with meaning and purpose. We call this ‘a life of opportunity’ and we believe that, with the right support, it is possible for everyone. Our approach is to provide Social Farms, Gardens and Craft opportunities utilising our natural environment and creating sustainable communities.

The Trust’s long-term aim is to 'become a beacon of sustainable land management'. To make this come to life operationally we follow five principles:

1. To Enable Green Care - we will use our land to maximise life opportunities for our beneficiaries, by inspiring them through connection with nature, enabling them to get involved with growing food and animal care, and experiencing the healing qualities of the natural environment.
2. Environmental Land Management - we will farm our land in a regenerative way with a focus on food production that nurtures the natural resources provided by the land and minimises the use of external inputs. In particular to ensure that improving soil health, water quality, and wildlife interest are key priorities in management decisions and that all land-based operations are environmentally responsible, socially just, and economically sound.
3. Farm to fork - we will use the food and materials that we produce on-site or as locally as possible to minimise our food miles and we will favour crops and livestock that complement the sustainable management of our land.
4. Greater involvement of volunteers - we will re-ignite our land-based volunteer programme creating opportunities for people to strengthen our capability to achieve environmental and social gains.
5. Collaboration with other partners - we will build partnerships and collaborate with like-minded organisations to increase our impact and magnify the positive difference we can make to our land and our people.

Purpose: 

Are you passionate about the natural environment?

Do you strive to make a difference?

As the Countryside Ranger for the North, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of the strategic direction of the Trust’s natural environment.

Based at our Botton Community and working across the Northern sites, you will implement plans to protect and enhance the natural environment of our land. Leading a team, you’ll deliver estates management plans, look after the grounds maintenance for the communities and work on targeted nature conservation projects, whilst enabling people to connect with those landscapes. An example of the work programmes include:

• Habitat improvements
• Habitat maintenance
• Land infrastructure such as: hedges, walls and fences
• Nature recovery projects
• Grounds Estate management

Locations & Travel:

Botton Village (Danby, North Yorkshire)

Botton comprises extensive acreage of productive farmland intertwined with sizable expanses of woodland. An environmentally conscious site, Botton has proudly held organic certification since 1955, a testament to its steadfast commitment a to organic farming practices. The farmland itself is a mosaic of improved pasture and lower-quality agricultural moorland edge land.

Larchfield (Middlesbrough)

Larchfield is an extensive mixed farm on the outskirts of Middlesbrough, with extensive hedgerows, wooded areas and traditional orchards, interspersed by residential properties. 

Croft (Malton, North Yorkshire)

Croft is situated on a site with historical origins as an old quarry, encompassing well-established native trees forming the outer perimeter. The central focal point of the site comprises a productive garden, segmented into four quadrants and featuring fruit trees.

As the Countryside Ranger for the North, you will be based at Botton, however you will be expected to travel to our communities in Malton and Middlesbrough to lead the workplans in those communities

Duties & Responsibilities:

As the Countryside Ranger for the North you will:

1. Lead and supervise Volunteers in the practical delivery of agreed work programmes.
2. Produce monthly progress reports and monitor key performance indicators.
3. Lead and supervise the teams of estate workers to ensure planned and scheduled land maintenance works are carried out in accordance with set schedules.
4. Assist in dealing with conflicts and solving problems encountered such as including fly-tipping, vandalism, off-road biking/driving and trespassing.
5. Ensure all health & safety, COSHH and other legislative and regulatory stipulations and conditions are complied with, including all site risk assessments, safe working practices and staff training.
6. When required work with the Trust’s agricultural & horticultural staff regarding the management, movement and supervision of Trust livestock to maintain high standards of animal welfare and husbandry.
7. Provide practical assistance to other Trust departments, as required.
8. Be involved with, and take pride in, the wider estate management and visual appearance.
9. Ensure safe operation, maintenance and cleaning of equipment, machinery, and vehicles. Carry out essential maintenance work, equipment checks, including daily and routine maintenance and duties as trained to do so.
10. Drive and be responsible for a company vehicle when required and in accordance with health and safety and fleet policy and driver's handbook, including conducting weekly vehicle checks.
11. Follow the Camphill Village Trust health and safety policies and procedure.

Person Specification:

Knowledge & Experience

• You will have previous experience of countryside management.
• Significant and extensive experience in relevant land, conservation and access management with a deep understanding/knowledge of relevant habitat conservation, designated landscapes and protected species.
• You will have practical countryside management skills and a demonstrable aptitude for a practical role.
• A high level of competency in wildlife identification is desirable.
• You will be financially competent, ready to take responsibility for budgeting and benchmarking financial performance.
• You will have a full, valid, UK driving license (trailer BE is desirable).
• You will be enthusiastic about environmental Land Management, new environmental schemes, soil management and have an interest in carbon auditing.

Key Competencies:

• Leadership, teamworking and collaboration across teams.
• You react sensitively to other people and recognise different viewpoints, beliefs, values and opinions.
• You are creative and willing to learn new skills. 
• You treat people with respect, dignity, honesty and equality.
• You have a positive and driven attitude for success.
• You have excellent interpersonal skills and are able to foster team spirit and empowerment of staff.
• You will have great attention to detail and be able to manage your workload with minimal supervision.
• This is a practical hands-on role where you will need to be comfortable working on-site outdoors within all weather conditions.

Qualifications

• A certificate of competence or higher for tractor operation is desirable.
• A formal land management or similar qualification is desirable.

The charity

As a national charity and not-for-profit organisation, Camphill Village Trust brings over 65 years of experience, knowledge, and passion to supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health challenges, and complex needs.