Beechbrae Outdoor Learning Ranger (Maternity Cover)

Job Description

Title: Beechbrae Outdoor Learning Ranger (Maternity Cover)
Responsible to: Project Manager and Beechbrae Board
Hours of work: 6 hours per week over 2 days (4.5 hours on Friday with 1 hour online team meeting at time mutually agreed)
Place of work: Beechbrae Wood, Heights Rd Blackridge EH48 3SW
Salary: £23,256 Pro Rata £4,000p/a
Duration: This is a 6 month fixed term contract
Closing Date: 5pm 21 August 2026
Interview Date & Location: Online – Fri 28 August 2026

Job Purpose:

Be a nurturing supporting leader for Beechbrae’s Outdoor Wellbeing Programmes

Beechbrae Values:

Nurture: we nurture those who engage with Beechbrae and the land itself. We engage in a trauma-informed way to seek health, wellbeing and wholeness
Connection: we recognise relationship and connection as being at the heart of Beechbrae – within ourselves, with everyone who comes to or is part of Beechbrae, and with the land.
Curiosity: we choose to be open to exploring, learning and fostering curiosity about the natural world, each other and ourselves as a means of strengthening our collective agency.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• To plan and deliver Branching Out and other adult mental health groups
• Develop good Health and safety working practice & carry out risk assessments
• Provide a psychological safe place for people in trauma to be and feel safe
• Plan and deliver activities and sessions in a trauma informed way following NME principles.
• Collect monitoring information and statistical data
• Report regularly to management team to ensure efficacy of support and interventions
• Undergo regular training and supervision
• Any other duties as required to the benefit of the project

Beechbrae Outdoor Learning Ranger

Person Specification- Experience, Skills & Abilities

Essential

• In depth knowledge of environmental issues and ways to encourage care & right action towards the earth
• Prior experience running & delivering outdoor education sessions outdoors
• In depth knowledge of outdoor based skills
• Prior experience working with people with a high number of ACE’S & SEND’s
• Knowledge of the effects of trauma on a developing brain
• Knowledge of trauma related triggers and ways to prevent triggering
• Ability to work with, motivate and encourage people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities
• Experience of working with vulnerable people
• Self-Motivated team player
• Highly organised, committed and responsible
• Ease of working in an outdoors environment in all weathers
• Ability to work flexibly, including evenings and occasional weekends
• Enthusiasm, commitment & flexibility
• Passion and care for the environment
• Mental Health First Aid Trained

Desirable

• Appropriate professional and educational qualifications e.g. NVQ3 or equivalent in Community Work, Environmental Education, Social Work or directly related work experience
• Proven track record of working with people in complex and chronic trauma
• Prior experience managing volunteers in a garden/ park setting open to the public
• Prior work experience in an educational setting
• Awareness of environmental good practice
• First Aid training
• Clean Driving Licence

The post is subject to a check through the PVG scheme. Enhanced training will be given prior to commencing work with individuals or groups.