Cumbria Connect Community Ranger

Are you a people person with a passion for nature and upland landscapes? This could be the job
for you.

We are looking for a people person with a passion for nature to drive the community involvement
element of our Landscape Recovery Scheme. Working alongside the Cumbria Connect People and
Places Officer you will help to shape the role people play in nature recovery for a generation.
The Community Ranger will support the landscape recovery teams work during the 2-year
development stage. You will inspire and engage local communities and audiences in nature
recovery and lead on the production of access and stakeholder plans. These plans will underpin
our vision for the project area over the 20+ year implementation phase of the scheme.

As the face of the scheme in communities from Kendal to Penrith, you will work collaboratively
with partners, stakeholders, farmers, businesses, visitors, groups and consultants to inform
the plans, creating an inclusive nature recovery network. Listening to people will further our
understanding of the value of our landscapes cultural and natural heritage and community needs
and dynamics.

You will pilot enjoyable and accessible activities which appeal to different audiences,
creating a strong sense of engagement and community support, building capacity and furthering
community cohesion and drawing on lessons learnt and consultants reports to inform the vision,
plans and proposals for Kendal2Penrith Arc. You will increase awareness, understanding and
enjoyment of priority habitats and species, nature friendly farming, cultural heritage, nature
restoration, countryside skills and citizen science, further encouraging people to connect with
and take action for nature. 

You will be joining the Landscape Recovery Scheme from the start, and work alongside a new team
under the umbrella of Cumbria Connect, which is already successfully working with partners to
restore a nature-rich environment to uplands in Cumbria.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience: 

• Working on nature conservation/community projects
• Organising and facilitating community workshops and meetings 
• Understanding, analysing and interpreting data to inform planning 
• Producing reports and presentations 
• Creative thinking skills and innovative thinking
• Communicating with and influencing a wide variety of people 
• People focused with an empathic, inclusive and outgoing character
• High level of IT competency and experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills. 

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Developing new projects 
• Working in a partnership 
• Understanding of rural upland communities, including farming communities 
• Focus on prioritising and achieving objectives
• A pro-active attitude in ‘making things happen’
•  Sound knowledge of ecosystems, species and habitats

This is a Fixed-Term (21 month contract), Full time role for 37.5 hours per week until 30th
April 2026

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further
advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 10th June 2024. For further
information please contact Martin Varley, [email protected]

As part of this application you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete a short
form. If you wish to provide a cover letter with your application, please include this at the
end of your CV document upload.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone
feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a
world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People
of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate,
sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled,
we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any
additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the
successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be
offered an employment contract.