Countryside Management

The voice of our landscapes, conservation champions and lovers of all things outdoors, you’ll help to keep the British countryside and coast wonderful.

The great outdoors don’t stay great on their own. Nor do they share their own stories. That’s where our landscape loving, hard-working Countryside Management teams come in. If you love the outdoors, you’ll absolutely love it here. Crashing waves, the scent of crisp-cut grass and the rush of the coastal breeze, every day here will be an adventure – for your senses and your career. A challenging one too. Working in some of the nation’s most stunning places and spaces, come rain or shine, your love of the outdoors will inspire others as you strive to ensure that landscapes are beautifully presented and continue to take our visitors’ breath away.

As you can imagine, this is a broad and hugely important area of the National Trust so there are many roles you could join us in. As a Ranger, you could be wandering woodlands with visitors, supporting volunteers or surveying butterflies. We also have a huge range of roles here like Coastal Advisors, Countryside Guides, Canoeing Development Managers and lots of different specialist positions for experts in their field. If you adore the outside and you’re not shy of hard work, there’s no better place to turn your passion into a profession.

Typical roles

We have lots of different opportunities in Countryside Management across our special places, regional and central offices and outdoor spaces. These include Assistant Ranger, Ranger, Area Ranger, Lead Ranger and Countryside Manager – and that’s just to name a few

Ranger

Playing a hugely important role at the Trust, you’ll deliver outstanding outdoor experiences and conservation work, inspiring our visitors every day.

Lead Ranger

Leading a culture of exceptional service across your team of rangers, you’ll protect and enhance the conservation of our properties, while delivering an outstanding visitor experience.

Countryside Manager

Showing a real passion for landscape conservation, you’ll engage with visitors in our special places and spaces, and develop plans to protect and enhance conservation at our properties.

The things we do for you

We want you to learn, discover and develop your career. And we’ll do everything we can to offer you the training, support and development that you need to achieve your goals. This could, for example, include helping you to study for a professional qualification appropriate to your career, trying something new or moving into a different business area. We’ll work with you to plan your development in a way that’s right for your needs.

Investing in you

Induction. Your learning in the Trust starts with your induction. Whatever role you're here to do we'll explain what to expect, show you where to go and make sure you understand your new environment before you get going.

Personal career progression development programme. One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to development. Tailored to you our ‘Grow Your Own Career’ approach is in place to help you identify where you see your career heading, and the best ways to get there.

Learning resources. We all learn in different ways and respond to different styles. It’s what works for you, whether that’s on-the-job training, flexible e-learning or one-to-one support. And in an organisation of our size and diversity, there’s plenty of room to develop and places to go.

Future Engage and Deliver leadership programme. If you’re in a management role we’ll support you to become a better leader through our ‘Future Engage and Deliver’ leadership programme. The programme is designed to make sure you’re well-equipped with the skills and confidence to lead your teams to deliver our plans.

Professional subscriptions. If you need to hold a qualification for your role, from either a legal or professional point of view, we’ll cover the cost of your membership fee. We’ll need to see that it’s part of your continuous professional development, though.

Employee volunteering. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the National Trust and many other charities. That's why we'll give you every opportunity to get involved with some volunteering outside the Trust. It's also a brilliant way to try new things, learn new skills and meet new people. So we'll give you up to five paid days per year to do your bit.

Secondments. Secondments are an excellent way for you to gain and practise new skills in real life situations, preparing you for a potential next career move. They usually last from three to 12 months – ideal for temporary or project roles.

Countryside Management people

Gemma

Countryside Manager

I love the variety of working at the National Trust; no day is ever the same as the next. It’s such a fantastic place to work and has a really open environment; you can pick up the phone to anybody here and they’ll always be willing to help.
Jane

Coastal Ranger

My job on the Northumberland coast gives me a different experience every day. We are a small team of three so we are the cleaner, admin assistant, accountant and Ranger all in one. The work role involves working with volunteers which gives me the chance to share my personal love of the Northumberland Coast at the same time as making the twelve miles of beaches safe and clean for everyone forever.