Parks and Countryside Ranger

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Parks and Countryside Ranger to join our Parks, Open Spaces and Seafronts Team.

North Somerset has a diverse landscape with huge nature conservation value with the Council managing 1100 parks, open spaces and wildlife sites. It is not therefore unsurprising that our vision is to be a greener Council. To demonstrate this, we have declared an ecological and emergency, started to improve biodiversity in our parks and open spaces, and published our first green infrastructure strategy. Our passionate Parks, and Open Spaces and Natural Environment Teams manage green infrastructure across North Somerset through services such as parks and open spaces, seafronts, rights of way, trees, ecology and landscape.

The Ranger role will grow and develop on the work already started to deliver projects within the natural environment across NSC land, actively engaging with our large network of volunteers.

The successful candidate will have an interest in the natural environment with a good history of volunteer engagement and management, including health and safety, event co-ordination, use of tools for practical conservation, and ideally experience of green social prescribing to support lower carbon healthcare. You will be working closely with the Senior Parks and Open Spaces Officer.

You should have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and be computer literate. The role also requires the ability to drive. The Council supports agile and flexible working.

Key Responsibilities:

• Working alongside the Senior Parks and Open Spaces Officer to support existing NSC volunteers.
• Where possible deliver opportunities for new volunteering and community involvement opportunities on our parks and open spaces. This will involve working with Green Social Prescribing projects and other interested parties.
• Support the Parks and Seafronts, and, Natural Environment Team with delivery of community projects which support our Green Infrastructure Strategy.
• Colate information relating to volunteer numbers and provide input to reports demonstrating volunteer and community projects taking place around North Somerset.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence is essential.

This position will based in the Town Hall in Weston-super-Mare.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated. This role will also include the need for occasional evening and/or weekend working.

This role falls into the category of Mobile/Field Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

Mobile/Field Worker

• 0-1 day in the office
• Includes field workers who primarily work remotely.
• Comes into the office for meetings or focused work. Virtual connections with the team are essential, with portable technology supporting work on the go.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about working in and improving the natural environment with others. Including supporting volunteers and the local community to be involved with their local areas. Who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• NVQ level 2 literacy & numeracy or equivalent.
• NVQ level 3 or 4 units of work or equivalent to demonstrate technically specific skills.
• Practical experience of working within the service area.
• Ability to engage with and motivate stakeholders, in particular general public, NSC volunteers and Green Social Prescribing providers/participants.
• Ability to work without close supervision.

Desirable Criteria:

• Familiarisation with green infrastructure and green social prescribing
• Hold a qualification/licence to operate specialised equipment required for service delivery where appropriate.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Samantha Phillips, Senior Parks and Open Spaces Officer, Samantha.phillips@n-somerset.gov.uk, or Edward Mckay, Principle Parks and Open Spaces Officer, Edward.mckay@n-somerset.gov.uk .

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: W/C 18th May 2026

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.