Estate Ranger with Freshwater Ecology Expertise

Job Title: Estate Ranger with freshwater ecology expertise
Location: On-site
Basis: Full-time
Salary: Dependent on Experience

Job Details

An exciting new position has arisen for an Estate Ranger with freshwater ecology expertise to support our Land Team at Ewhurst Park near Basingstoke in Hampshire.

Ewhurst Park is a 925-acre rural estate which has embarked on an estate-wide biodiversity and sustainability project with the goal of restoring the land for nature whilst growing healthy and ethically produced organic food. We aim to inspire people to reconnect with the land, nature and sources of food through community outreach, education programmes, nature-based experiences and hospitality events held across the estate.

As an organic estate, Ewhurst Park manages its land using regenerative and nature-led principles. The ranger team plays a key role in the day-to-day management of the estates Park’s landscapes, wildlife, livestock and visitor experiences. This diverse role combines practical countryside management, habitat restoration, ecological monitoring, estate maintenance and public engagement, helping to deliver the estate’s vision of nature recovery, regenerative land stewardship and environmental education.

We have various waterbodies throughout the site and are looking for someone to take a lead role in surveying and monitoring our wetland areas.

Areas of Responsibility

Estate & Landscape Management

Your work supporting the wider landscape restoration programme will involve:

• Stewarding livestock and ensuring their welfare, including end-of-life management where required.
• Supporting deer and wildlife management.
• Assisting with captive breeding and species recovery projects.
• Woodland creation, maintenance and improvement, including tree planting and aftercare, felling and coppicing.
• Habitat creation and restoration, including wetland creation and water feature management.
• Undertaking surveys of freshwater ecosystems and developing a monitoring plan.
• Contributing to the overall ecological data collection of the estate and advising on changes to wetland habitats.
• Monitoring and managing invasive species where appropriate.
• Maintaining public access routes, footpaths, gates, fences and estate infrastructure.
• Carrying out regular inspections of estate assets and reporting maintenance requirements.
• Supporting estate security and helping to ensure the safe operation of the estate.
• Operating, maintaining and safely using estate vehicles, machinery, tools and equipment.
• Assisting with seasonal land management tasks and practical conservation projects.
• Working in a professional, positive, kind and respectful manner with colleagues, volunteers, contractors and stakeholders.

Visitor Engagement & Environmental Education

Ewhurst Park is committed to helping people reconnect with nature. As part of this role, you will:

• Engage positively with visitors, community groups, schools and volunteers.
• Support guided walks, educational visits, workshops and nature-based experiences.
• Develop and share knowledge of native plants, trees, fungi and wildlife found on the estate.
• Develop an understanding of traditional countryside skills, foraging, herbalism and ethnobotany, and help communicate these subjects through visitor experiences where appropriate.
• Help visitors understand the estate’s biodiversity, regenerative farming and landscape restoration objectives.
• Act as an ambassador for Ewhurst Park, promoting a welcoming and educational visitor experience.

Events Support

You will occasionally support the delivery of events across the estate by:

• Preparing outdoor spaces for events and experiences.
• Assisting with event logistics and setup.
• Supporting visiting groups, suppliers and attendees.
• Helping ensure the smooth and safe operation of events held on the estate.

Your Experience

All applicants should have a strong interest in nature recovery and be passionate about taking action for nature. Experience with or at least a strong interest in freshwater ecosystems is necessary for this role. There is no onsite accommodation available.

Essential Skills

• Full driving licence
• A practical and methodical approach to work.
• A genuine passion for wildlife, conservation and nature recovery.
• A keen interest in freshwater ecosystems.
• Ability to conduct field surveys and analyse data.
• Knowledge of British wildlife, UK freshwater habitats and species identification.
• Experience and knowledge of freshwater surveying techniques and reporting.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good problem-solving skills and a proactive attitude.
• A good level of physical fitness and willingness to undertake outdoor manual work in all weather conditions.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work efficiently.
• Basic horticultural, countryside or land management knowledge.
• Competent IT skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• A positive, adaptable and open-minded approach with a willingness to learn new skills.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience in countryside management, conservation, farming, forestry, gamekeeping, estate management or a related field.
• Experience undertaking ecological surveys or wildlife monitoring.
• Experience operating machinery, ATVs, tractors or estate equipment.
• Chainsaw, brushcutter, first aid or other relevant land-based qualifications.
• An interest in, or knowledge of, foraging, herbalism, ethnobotany or traditional countryside skills.
• Experience delivering educational activities, guided walks or public engagement programmes.
• A passion for helping others develop a deeper connection with nature, food production and the landscape.
• Experience in wildlife management.
• Food hygiene qualification.
• Previous experience working in certified organic organisations / estates.
• Basic experience maintaining tools, equipment, machinery and vehicles.
• Previous experience working with livestock.

What We Offer

This role provides an excellent opportunity to become part of a pioneering and growing organisation with a strong ethical focus on restoring the natural landscape, producing sustainable food and creating meaningful connections between people and nature.

As an equal opportunity employer, we make recruitment decisions based on skills, experience and potential. We welcome applications from everyone who can demonstrate the qualities outlined in this job description.