Location
Northamptonshire

Hours
37 hours per week

Salary
£29,171 per annum

About the Role
Join Forestry England, a passionate team dedicated to growing the nation’s forests for everyone. As a Recreation Ranger, you will ensure seamless day-to-day visitor operations, delivering excellent visitor experiences while maintaining a welcoming and safe environment. You will actively engage with local communities to cultivate meaningful relationships, develop recreational opportunities, enhance volunteer involvement, and respond to visitor enquiries. Your role will contribute to enriching the visitor experience, driving efficiencies and income generation, and strengthening community connections. You will be part of the Central England Forest District Team, managing 30,000 hectares of diverse forests and seven visitor centres attracting over 2.5 million visits annually. This is a permanent role where you will help create amazing places and experiences, support wildlife habitats, and promote sustainable forestry.

Benefits
Forestry England offers a generous pension contribution averaging 28.97% through the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme. You will receive 25 days holiday per year, increasing by one day per year of service up to 30 days (pro-rated for part-time employees), plus bank holidays. Additional benefits include free parking at Forestry England sites, free entry to National Arboretums at Westonbirt and Bedgebury, access to the STaR employee benefits scheme offering discounts on shopping, holidays, gym memberships and more, and a commitment to lifelong learning with support for career development and professional memberships.

Experience
Relevant experience in visitor engagement, community involvement, or recreational management is desirable. Experience working in outdoor or forestry environments is advantageous.

About you
You are enthusiastic, motivated, and passionate about forestry and outdoor recreation. You have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with visitors, volunteers, and local communities. You are committed to delivering high-quality visitor experiences and maintaining safe environments. You work well both independently and as part of a team, with a proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.

Qualifications
There are no specific qualifications required; however, a background in environmental management, forestry, or related fields is beneficial. You must have the ability to communicate clearly in spoken English. Successful candidates will undergo a criminal record check and government baseline personnel security standard check.