Job Description
January 2015
Role: Seasonal Ranger / Naturalist
Business Function: Properties & Visitor Services
Reports to: Senior/Ranger D&G Countryside Team
Pay Band/Starting Salary: Band C : (£17,544 pro
Property Manager Rockcliffe
rata)
Location: Threave Estate, Castle Douglas, Dumfries
Type of Contract: Fixed-term seasonal (6 months) /
& Galloway, DG7 1RX
full-time (40 hrs per week)
Terms and conditions
The post is subject to the standard terms and conditions.
Accommodation – will be in ranger cottage, Kelton Mains Threave nature reserve.
Hours of work – 40 hours per week including regular weekend work and some unsocial hours.
Holidays – 15 days paid leave to be taken over the period of the contract
A Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme check will be required.
Purpose of the role
To contribute to the management of the countryside properties in Dumfries & Galloway area, in line with the
Trust's objectives, health and safety and other policies and standards for conservation, access and enjoyment
and help deliver the targets in the Countryside Management Operational Plan. The postholder will seek to
protect and enhance the natural and cultural heritage whilst facilitating access by visitors and increasing their
enjoyment and understanding by means of interpretation and partnerships with local stakeholders.
The post holder will be part of the Dumfries & Galloway Countryside team based at Threave Estate, Castle
Douglas. The team currently comprises a Senior Ranger D&G Countryside Team/Property Manager
(Rockcliffe), one full time main grade Ranger, and a full time Countryside/Estate worker, plus one seasonal
Ranger (6 months) and a team of long term volunteer staff, with additional Osprey Volunteers during the
breeding season.
Dumfries & Galloway Countryside Team: The team provides a service covering five countryside properties Threave Estate, Rockcliffe, Venniehill, Murray Isles and Bruce’s Stone. Other areas of work include
conservation agreements and occasional work on other NTS properties.
Threave: 596ha (including 26ha of gardens, wider estate predominantly farmland with a mix of river/marsh,
woodland belts). Internationally important wetland site Nature Reserve (RAMSAR, SPA, SSSI). Threave
Ospreys are attracting more visitors and are a major attraction and the wetlands are important for breeding
waders and wintering wildfowl within an important cultural landscape. Threave became Scotlands first Bat
Reserve in August 2010. Facilities include: Threave House & Visitor Centre (shop/restaurant); Countryside
Centre; education room; in-hand farmland; car parking; bird hides and a network of estate paths with links to
Threave Castle and Castle Douglas. The estate is important for environmental education and interpretation
and has scope to further enhance farmland/wetland habitats for nature conservation and nature based
tourism/access.
Rockcliffe: 41ha. Coastline, woodlands, rough grazing, tidal island (8ha). Breeding and wintering waders and
wildfowl, coastal flora & fauna, ancient hillfort. Popular tourist destination within National Scenic area (NSA)
and SSSI. Informal recreation provision (waymarked trails/interpretation) and programme of habitat and
footpath management and work associated with the SAM site. The property also includes one holiday cottage,
one let house, one staff house and some small ground leases.
Venniehill: 1.4ha. Hilltop viewpoint, habitat management for flora and invertebrates and access/interpretation
management linking to car park at Brickworks local nature reserve. Opportunties to link with Gatehouse
Development Initiative to promote positive impact of conservation agreements and the wider landscape.
Murray Isles; 2ha. Two small uninhabited islands in Wigtown Bay hosting breeding seabirds. Seabird and
visitor monitoring.
Bruce’s Stone: Cultural heritage site. Car park, path and interpretation managed in partnership with Forestry
Commission Scotland.
Key Responsibilities:
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To collect, manage and collate biological information in a consistent manner compatible with Trust and
national datasets.
To produce and disseminate results of monitoring.
To assist with practical countryside and habitat management.
To assist with visitor management, interpretation, education and events.
To work with long term volunteers and Threave Osprey volunteers.
Work within the property’s ‘Safe System of Work’ (the system for managing Health & Safety)
Membership recruitment.
Your role is one for which the duties/responsibilities/accountabilities of the role require you to become a
member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, which replaces the ‘Enhanced Disclosure’
check and is administered by Disclosure Scotland.
Scope of Role:
Countryside & Property Management
 Undertake monitoring and recording of wetland/coastal and marine life.
 To carry out practical countryside management including strimming, footpath maintenance and control of
invasive species.
 To carry out practical property management including litter picks, strimming and maintenance of nature
reserve trail and estate walk, footpath maintenance, occasional cleaning at wetland information centre.
 Responsible for D&G Countryside properties built structures survey.
 Record visitor numbers to properties.
People Management
 Work closely with other members of the D&G Countryside team.
 Not a line manager but will supervise and work with volunteers.
 Ensure a welcome for visitors via personal interaction and maintenance of interpretation facilities.
 Contribute to the interpretation and education programme at the property including leading guided walks
and educational groups, assist at countryside events and contributing articles for the media & website.
 Develop and maintain sound relationships with representatives of key parties who have interests in the
properties including Scottish Natural Heritage, Dumfries & Galloway Council, graziers, local businesses,
neighbours, local community and user groups.
Financial Management
 Assist in making the best use of resources and ensuring best value.
 Contribute to the income of the Trust through recruiting new members.
Skills and attributes required for the role:
The following are the skills and attributes that are considered essential and desirable for this role. Please use
the application form to demonstrate that you have them, and be prepared to be tested on them if you are
invited to interview:
Essential
 Experience of biological monitoring, practical countryside management, visitor management,
environmental interpretation & education, and working with and supervising volunteers.
 Wildlife knowledge and identification skills.
 A degree level or equivalent knowledge in a relevant biological subject.
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Ability to undertake strenuous physical work.
Ability to work alone as well as part of a team.
A full driving licence.
Good organisational, time-management and problem solving skills with the ability to prioritise and reprioritise workload to meet changing demands.
Good communication and interpersonal skills.
Competent user of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel and Outlook.
Desirable
 Bird, butterfly, wildflower and other wildlife identification skills.
 Bat Licence holder.
 A sound knowledge of nature conservation and countryside land management.
 A good understanding of the issues effecting wetlands/farmland and coastal and marine environments and
relevant current legislation.
 Experience of working with external bodies or stakeholders and in partnership with local interest groups
and in community liaison.
 Ability to think and act quickly when confronted with emergencies.
 Confident driver of an off-road vehicle.
 Competent in chainsaw, spraying, strimming and ATV use.
 Experience in fencing and dyking.
Applications
Please forward a completed application form to: Derek Duncan, Countryside & Nature Conservation
Administrator, the National Trust for Scotland, Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh, EH11 4DF, by
mail or by email to dduncan@nts.org.uk by Monday, 2nd February 2015.
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