Job Title: Countryside Works Ranger Starting Salary: £26,835 opportunity to progress to £30,060 Hours: 37 Location: Radlett Aldenham Contract Type: Permanent Directorate: Resources About the team The Rural Estates Team manage approximately 10,000 acres of land and buildings spread across the whole of the county. Most of the land is let to tenant farmers under tenancies that are managed by the team's land agents. Approximately 1,000 acres is non-let land such as woodland, open space sites and disused railway lines the majority of which have public access. These sites are managed by the Countryside Team which this role forms part of. About the role Carry out on-site based tasks as specified in the annual work programme or identified in a site management plan. Works will include tree planting, maintaining new and existing woodland, carrying out basic wildlife surveys, creating and maintaining wildlife areas, topping and strimming grass, cutting hedges, spraying around newly planted trees and dealing with unwanted weeds. Undertake unscheduled and reactive site-based tasks including minor gate, fence and pothole repairs, assisting in felling dead/dangerous/windblown trees, litter picking and fly tipping clearance. Use and maintain a range of power and hand tools, plant, machinery, and vehicles in a safe, fit for purpose and useable condition, carrying out daily service routines as required. Maintain and contribute to a well organised and structured Workshop facility and ensure efficient and effective arrangement of accessible tools, plant, and equipment at all times. Comply with and act upon all Health, Safety and Welfare directions and ensure full compliance with guidelines and safe working practice. Contribute with manager to safety audits, COSHH assessments and individual task-based risk assessments as required. Communicate positively and clearly on an ad-hoc basis to members of the public, tenants, volunteers and others on the nature and reasons for works being undertaken and generally promote best practice in all works being undertaken. Broad spectrum of work with each day being different and having different challenges. Helps the County Council with their climate change objections and helps shape the future environmental landscape of Hertfordshire with planting new trees / woodland. About you Essential: Ability to work outside in all weathers in different settings e.g. woodland, farmland as part of a team or lone working. Previous experience of grounds maintenance Experience of using a variety of grounds maintenance tools and equipment. Driving licence Desirable: Qualification in forestry / grounds maintenance tasks / tools e.g. chainsaw, spraying, strimming, chipping, trailer etc. Training can be provided where required. An understanding of ecology / wildlife and timescales for work. Ability to work from and create individual / site risk assessments. This job role is within the Operational Services, level OPS7 job profile. Please locate this via: Job profiles - Operational services To hear more about this opportunity please contact Serena Aston, serena.astonhertfordshire.gov.uk for an informal discussion about the role. Interview Date: to be confirmed. Benefits of working for us How to apply As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences. Disability Confident We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post. Driving required You'll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations. English Fluency The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.