Ranger Team Leader

Position:
Responsible to:

Starting Salary:

Ranger Team Leader (Full time 37 hrs. / wk.)
Land & Property Manager
(or such officer as the Trust may designate)
NJC Scale 18 to 22 (£31,537 - £33,699) under review

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the staff team in one of Britain’s most iconic
landscapes. The successful candidate will carry out a wide range of practical and
administrative tasks involved in helping to manage the Malvern Hills and Commons.

Closing date for applications is Monday 23rd March 2026 (12 noon).   It is currently
anticipated that interviews would be held from 8-10 April 2026. To apply, please return
your completed application form via email to: Reception@malvernhills.org.uk or via post
to:  CEO, Malvern Hills Trust, Manor House, Grange Road, Malvern WR14 3EY marked
‘Private and confidential’.

The area
The Malvern Hills is a much loved and nationally important landscape. Over 1,000,000
visits are made each year and the view from the top of the Hills has been voted one of the
best in Britain. Much of the land cared for by the Trust lies within a National Landscape,
as well as containing Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Scheduled Monuments.

The organisation
Malvern Hills Trust (MHT) is a statutory body established by Act of Parliament in 1884 and
is also a registered charity. MHT owns or manages around 1,200 ha (3,000 acres) of the
Malvern Hills and Commons. The duties and responsibilities of the Trustees are set out
under the 1884 Act and four subsequent Acts and include:

•  Preserving the natural aspect of the hills
•  Protecting and managing trees, shrubs, turf and other vegetation
•  Preventing unlawful digging and quarrying
•  Keeping the hills open, unenclosed and unbuilt on as open spaces for the

recreation and enjoyment of the public.

MHT is also responsible for conserving and enhancing biodiversity, Sites of Special
Scientific Interest and Scheduled Monuments on its land.

MHT’s two main sources of income are a levy charged to local Council Tax payers in
Malvern town, Guarlford, Malvern Wells, West Malvern, Colwall and Mathon and the
revenue from car parks on its land. Copies of the annual accounts are available on the
website https://www.malvernhills.org.uk/looking-after/annual-review-and-accounts/

The role

The Ranger Team Leader will lead and coordinate the Ranger team to provide a
consistent, visible and professional presence across all Trust land. Working closely with
the Land & Property Manager, the postholder will plan patrols and daily tasks, oversee
incident response and standards of evidence. They will support boundary and
encroachment casework, coordinate car park operations, and ensure that maintenance,
path condition monitoring, waste handling and volunteer activity are effectively planned,
delivered and recorded. The role maintains high standards of visitor care and byelaw
compliance while ensuring safe systems of work throughout operations.

Equal opportunities

The Malvern Hills Trust welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds and
abilities who meet the essential criteria for this role.  It is our aim to foster a culture that
embraces equality and values diversity which will help us to ensure that everyone feels
involved and included in our plans, programmes and activities. A copy of our Equality and
Diversity policy can be found on our website.

Job Description – Ranger Team Leader (FT)

Job Title:

Salary:

Ranger Team Leader

NJC Scale Points 18-22 (£31,537 - £33,699) under review

Place of Work:

Based at Manor House, Grange Road, Malvern

Hours of Work:

Responsible to:

Key Relations:

37 hrs hours per week including weekends on rota. Plus,
some evenings on-call (home-based)

Land & Property Manager
(or such officer as the Trust may designate)

Rangers, Conservation Manager, Operations Manager,
Community and Conservation Officer, Administration staff,
Members of the Public and Graziers / Commoners.

Job purpose:
Provide day-to-day leadership and oversight of Ranger operations, ensuring safe working
practices, compliance with byelaws and countryside legislation, and the efficient use of
staff, volunteers and other resources. Establish and maintain effective systems for
recording incidents, tasks and operational information, ensuring records are accurate,
timely and useful for decision making. Support staff and volunteers to deliver high
presentation standards, positive visitor engagement and effective conservation work
across the Hills and Commons. The role also supports the Land & Property Manager (LPM)
with basic budget monitoring and minor operational projects. This will be a key role in the
Trust’s delivery of its Land Management Plan.

Duties:

a) Leadership & People Management:
Lead, support and coach the Ranger team in their day-to-day work, setting clear
objectives and holding regular 1:1s to guide performance and wellbeing in line with Trust
procedures. Plan workloads and prepare weekly rotas across the seven-day service,
including evening and on-call cover. Organise daily tasks, ensuring safety briefings and
dynamic risk assessments are completed and recorded, with priorities communicated
clearly. Maintain accurate competence records for staff and volunteers covering
inductions, performance reviews, refresher training and equipment authorisations. Act as
the Designated Volunteer Leader and Responsible Person for Specialist Volunteers,
delegating routine supervision where it is safe and appropriate to do so.

b) Patrols, Public Engagement & Byelaw Compliance:
Plan, support and oversee risk-based patrols that respond to visitor activity, seasonal

factors and operational priorities, ensuring the quality and consistency of Ranger patrol
work. Ensure incidents are recorded accurately, evidence standards are met and matters
are escalated appropriately, with Rangers handling first-response recording. Provide clear
guidance when dealing with the public, graziers / commoners, livestock issues and
partner agencies such as police, the emergency services, utility companies and local,
regional and national stakeholder organisations.

c) Car Parks & Visitor Presentation Standards:
Support and oversee daily car-park operations, including staff presence, meter emptying
and cash-handling checks with Finance staff. Ensure signage checks, litter removal and
tidying tasks are completed to the required standard, escalating defects as required.

d) Volunteers & Events:
Work with the Conservation Team to coordinate volunteer recruitment, induction and
ongoing communications, and to plan and oversee practical volunteer tasks with
appropriate safety briefings, supervision and welfare arrangements; also support the safe
delivery of events by reviewing Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS),
monitoring welfare on the day and responding to weather-related or operational triggers.

e) Paths, Maintenance & Seasonal Risks:
Establish and manage a system for reporting defects, maintaining up-to-date
maintenance logs for manager review and any follow-up action by the appropriate team.
Coordinate temporary closures, signage and public information as instructed, and support
with seasonal risk management (wildfire, freeze–thaw and snow).

f) Casework & Operational Support to Land & Property Manager:
Handle frontline operational complaints and assist with incident response alongside the
Estate Supervisor (ES) or Operations Manager (OM). Provide weekly updates to the LPM,
highlighting any issues and suggesting improvements. Help with boundary and
encroachment cases by gathering evidence and supporting follow-up actions. Support the
monitoring of easements and wayleaves to ensure conditions are being met and any
issues are reported or followed up appropriately. Assist the LPM in liaising with
contractors to ensure they have suitable insurance, method statements and safe systems
of work.

g) Yard & Depot Oversight:
Oversee the daily use of the Lower Shed and yard, ensuring tidy, safe and compliant
working conditions. Monitor housekeeping, PPE availability, spill-kit readiness and
waste-segregation arrangements, escalating defects or hazards promptly. Oversee the
day-to-day use of Ranger fleet vehicles, ensuring they are used safely and any defects are
reported promptly.

h) Records, Assurance & Continuous Improvement:
Maintain accurate, audit-ready operational records (patrols, incidents, defects,

volunteers, vehicles, waste and cash handling) and ensure compliance with
data-protection and retention requirements. Keep H&S documentation (RAMS, COSHH,
PUWER, vibration) current and ensure Ranger compliance. Support equipment
inventories, pre-use checks and maintenance records, and contribute to audits and
continuous-improvement reviews.

i) Financial & Procurement Support:
Place essential operational orders when delegated and assist with basic budget
monitoring and small project delivery, including cost tracking and demonstrating value for
money. Provide operational input on required tools and equipment, noting that
procurement decisions rest with the LPM/OM. Assist the LPM/OM with preparing annual
budget information where relevant.

Please note this can be a very physical and challenging role, working outside in
sometimes extreme and adverse conditions, often on steep and rough terrain.

A full job description will be issued to the successful applicant.

The  Malvern  Hills  Trust  reserves  the  right  to  alter  the  contents  of  this  job  specification
after consultation with the post holder to reflect changes to the job or service provided
without altering the general character or level of responsibility.

Deborah Fox,
Chief Executive Officer

03/03/2026

Person Specification – Ranger Supervisor
Skills and Experience

Essential

Skill / Knowledge / Experience

Certification / qualification / evidence

Knowledge of the countryside and
rural issues

In a professional / employed capacity

Level 4 countryside or
environmental qualification

Formal qualification / demonstrated professional track
record

Experience of dealing with the
public

Leadership and people
management

In a professional / employed capacity

Examples of supervision, coaching or line management

Volunteer management and
safeguarding

DBS; experience coordinating and organising volunteers
(individuals and groups).

Managing public access and
wildlife conservation sites

Experience of recreation access management in a
wildlife conservation area, particularly in the local /
regional area

Driving on road

Full current driving licence

Basic practical hand and power
tool skills

Operational Health & Safety (risk
assessments, RAMS, COSHH,
PUWER)

Incident response and evidence
recording

Stakeholder liaison (public,
graziers, police, utilities,
emergency services)

Practical estate skills

IT skills

Communication

Desirable

Experience of using a range of hand and power tools

Demonstrable applied use of H&S systems

Experience producing accurate, auditable records

Examples of multi-agency working

Experience from undertaking practical countryside
maintenance tasks (i.e., fencing or coppicing) either in
private or public sector

Word processing, email and use of mapping systems

Clear written and verbal communication skills

Skill / Knowledge / Experience

Certification / qualification / evidence

Level 5 countryside or
environmental qualification

Countryside law knowledge

Degree or equivalent progression

Knowledge and understanding of countryside and
commons legislation

Leadership training

ILM Level 3

Health & Safety management

IOSH Managing Safely

Trailer towing capability

B+E licence

Project management

Ecological monitoring

PRINCE2 or equivalent

Evidence of survey or monitoring work

Cash handling integrity

Experience of reconciliation / handling cash responsibly

4x4 / winch operations

Formal training

Previous experience in a
supervisory ranger role

Use and maintenance of brush-
cutters and clearing saws

Use and maintenance of
chainsaws and basic felling
techniques
Possession of current chainsaw
ticket

Pesticide application

Off road driving skills

Demonstrated relevant employment history

Experience of using / maintaining strimmers, brush-
cutters, and clearing saws
Current certification, e.g.
NPTC ABC02 Brush-cutter use

Experience of using / maintaining chainsaws and basic
felling techniques
Current certification, e.g.
LANTRA CS30/31 or NPTC 201/202

Experience of using / maintaining handheld
pesticide applicators.
Current certification, e.g.
NPTC PA1/PA6A
Knapsack sprayer certification

Experience and or training course in driving off-road,
particularly on steep slopes