Estate Maintenance Ranger

Crown Estate Scotland has an exciting opportunity for an Glenlivet Estate Maintenance Ranger to join our Property team on a full-time permanent basis. 

The role will assist the Head Ranger with the management, maintenance and improvement of the outdoor recreational infrastructure and visitor engagement facilities, and the Forest Manager with practical forestry maintenance work across the Glenlivet Estate.

By joining the Crown Estate Scotland team, you’ll be surrounded by dedicated and talented individuals who are passionate about what they do, giving you the opportunity to learn and develop.  You’ll be working alongside like-minded individuals who are working towards achieving the shared goal of making Scotland a better place.

About the role

The successful candidate for this role within the organisation will be responsible for:

Maintenance

• Ensuring the visitor infrastructure on the Estate is maintained in line with Health & Safety standards, policies, and procedures, through completing and adhering to risk assessments, including but not limited to undertaking repairs and regular inspections.
• of countryside sites, hazardous trees, play areas, paths, and bridges.  The current key policy is HSP15 ‘Management of Glenlivet Estate Visitor Infrastructure’.
• Undertaking maintenance duties as required including grass cutting, strimming, pesticide spraying, litter collection, painting, weeding, tree clearing, erection of signs, interpretive panels and waymarkers, the upkeep of estate furniture and other maintenance tasks as required, and assisting with procurement for works and materials.
• Maintaining Estate assets to a standard that results in a safe and welcoming environment for tenants, residents, and visitors.

Engagement

• Assisting the Head Ranger with the delivery of engagement activities such as the organisation and supervision of groups, including volunteers undertaking practical work on the Estate and educational visits.

Forestry

• Providing on the ground support to the Forestry Manager as required including but not limited to responding to forestry enquiries, assisting with procurement for works and materials, monitoring contractors and active work sites, liaising with sporting tenant. This will include working at times alongside other members of the forestry team.
• Undertaking practical forestry maintenance duties as required, including but not limited to assisting with inspection & maintenance of fences, plant health surveys, tree planting, restock site maintenance, and clearing storm damaged trees.

Monitoring and Recording

• Assisting in the monitoring of habitats and species on the Estate including Black Grouse counts.  This monitoring may involve working with partner organisations.
• Ensuring clear and accurate records for above duties are maintained, including inspection records and maps, risk assessments, and site diaries.

Health and Safety

• Adhering to current Health & safety standards, policies, and procedures.
• Working positively within the team to ensure all workplaces are kept in a safe and tidy condition and in accordance with health & safety regulations and all tasks are performed in compliance with relevant Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, risk assessments, method statements and health and safety controls.
• Ensuring that equipment and tools are well maintained and capable of performing the work required.
• Using all vehicles, tools, and equipment in a responsible fashion and according to manufacturers’ guidelines.

Public Relations

• Positively representing Crown Estate Scotland in the performance of all business support functions, including participation in groups and on appropriate panels and committees
• Maintaining a high standard of customer service ensuring that the reputation and profile of Crown Estate Scotland is projected to the public at all times.
• Engaging with a range of stakeholders and members of the public.

The contractual working location of this role is our Glenlivet office. 

The salary will be £36,888 with potential for future progression and annual cost of living rises. The maximum salary for this role is currently £42,498.  The role also benefits from 25 days’ annual leave, plus 11.5 of public/ privilege days.  Crown Estate Scotland encourage flexible working and operate a discretionary flexi-time scheme.  This role offers participation in the Civil Service pension scheme.  Contribution levels for the scheme are currently 5.45% employee contribution at the entry salary for this role whilst Crown Estate Scotland contribution levels are 27.1%.

About You

You should:

Essential

• Have an appropriate National Level grade 4 (or GCSE equivalent) education qualification in English Language and Mathematics.
• Have practical knowledge of working on a rural estate, forestry maintenance, infrastructure and related construction and maintenance techniques.
• Have knowledge of estate tools and machinery operation, maintenance, and record keeping.
• Be confident in construction and maintenance techniques for infrastructure including trails, stiles, gates, footbridges etc.
• Have knowledge of relevant health and safety legislation/requirements and risk assessments.
• Have experience of working outdoors in a rural setting including lone working in remote locations.
• Have relevant knowledge of countryside health and safety obligations and risk assessments (eg IOSH Working Safely).
• Be computer literate, with good knowledge of Microsoft Word & Excel.
• Be able to identify common tree species.
• Have off-road driving experience in 4x4 vehicle.
• Be able to operate and maintain relevant machinery; lawnmower & strimmer.
• Have previous tree planting experience and assisting with clearance of fallen trees.

You will have the following qualities, which are key to success in this role:

• Good customer service and people skills with the ability to positively interact with members of the public and tenants.
• Ability to build good relationships with colleagues, farm tenants, contractors and others.
• Enthusiastic personality with strong work ethic and an ability to work independently and effectively with minimum supervision.