Advertise
Samantha Kerr
Samantha Kerr, Countryside Ranger at Hart District Council

Job Title: Countryside Ranger with Hart District Council

  

Name: Samantha Kerr

Location: Based in North East Hampshire covering a range of sites including Fleet Pond (SSSI)

Employer: Hart District Council (local authority)

  

Job Responsibilities:
The job of a Countryside Ranger is a varied one, we look after a range of green spaces including SSSIs (Site of Special Scientific Interest), SINCs (Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation) and SANGs (Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspaces). A Ranger’s focus is to ensure these green spaces are the best they can be for both nature and the public.
An overview of tasks can include:

  • Habitat management on heathlands, reedbeds, marshes, woodlands, meadows, ponds etc.
  • Structure repairs for benches, signs, sculptures, bridges, fencing
  • Survey monitoring such as butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, birds, rapid habitat assessment
  • Organising and leading volunteer tasks
  • Working on events to help educate the local community on our work and the habitats
  • Working with grazing livestock

  

Majority of time is spent doing:
It’s hard to summarise, but the majority of my work is focus outside doing practical tasks whether is a planned habitat management task, working with volunteers, repairs as and when needed. There is an element of indoor-based admin work which is focused on responding to e-mails and planning/organising the practical tasks so they can run smoothly.

Time is spent mainly outdoors

  

Is there any seasonal variation:

Yes. Between September and February is the winter work programme, this sits outside the nesting bird season so a larger proportion of our work is completing the larger-scale management tasks such as scrub clearing on heathlands and marshes, glade and ride creation in the woodlands, reed cutting and removing on reedbeds. It’s a very busy but very rewarding season.

From March to September, our focus is shifted to grassland management such as strimming path edges and hay meadow management, survey and monitoring work, structure survey and repairs and guided walks/events.

  

Qualifications needed:

Generally, a relevant degree or diploma is required. My degree background is Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology (not regularly used in my day job!) though a Countryside Management qualification from an agricultural college would be a great start.

Being able to show commitment and passion for the career does help, having a history of volunteering whether helping out with a weekly or monthly local group or a longer-term traineeship.

  

Additional training:

  • CS30 & CS31 Chainsaw qualifications (cross cutting, maintenance and small tree felling)
  • Brushcutter/strimmer maintenance and operation
  • Manual-fed wood chipper
  • PA1 and PA6 pesticide application
  • Trailer towing

Not all are required to start a job in this sector and this is not a complete list. The options of courses are vast depending on the sites you work on and your interests.

  

Skills needed:

  • Good people skills, able to speak to a range of people from locals on sites, volunteers, professional bodies such as Natural England and contractors
  • Physically active – you don’t have to be super fit and athletic!
  • Ability to work outdoors in all-weather
  • Passion for the job and the area you work in
  • Be able to adapt quickly to changes in plans – no matter how much you schedule your time, there’s normally a curveball thrown your way to change things!

  

Advice to anyone looking at similar roles:
It can be challenging to get the job you want in this sector; I’d say to make sure you get yourself out there. Join the volunteering group at your local nature reserve, consider a traineeship with a charity such as Wildlife Trust, RSPB etc, absorb as much information as you can and make yourself known to people already in the sector. A lot of people would say it’s not what you know but who you know!

  

If you have any queries about this role or would like to ask a question of the job holder please contact Sam on samantha.kerr@hart.gov.uk

Built by Jack Barber in Whitby, North Yorkshire. Visit Herbal Apothecary for herbal practitioner supplies, Sweet Cecily's for natural skincare, BeeVital for propolis health supplements and Future Health Store for whole foods, health supplements, natural & ethical gifts.