Wildlife Ranger Trainee

Cumbria Connect is a landscape-scape nature restoration programme in eastern Cumbria. Working with partners Forestry England, Lowther Estates, the RSPB and National Trust we are looking for someone who is passionate about the countryside with an ambition to bring nature back through careful wildlife management to take up a new role as our Wildlife Ranger Trainee. 

What's the role about?

During this 18-month role you will be part of the Cumbria Connect team, and work with our partners across the north of England learning essential skills for wildlife management including: managing deer populations and venison production, control of predators, safe use of firearms, ecology and habitat management, working with dogs, wildlife reintroductions and wildlife law, 4WD and ATV handling, basic wildlife identification and surveying and monitoring techniques.

If you do not currently hold a valid firearms certificate, you will be required to obtain one during the early stages of your training. Applicants should not proceed if they are aware of any reason that may prevent them from being granted a certificate. Additional eligibility checks will be carried out for the successful candidate following the interview stage.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• A keen, demonstrable interest in wildlife, countryside management, and nature conservation.
• This role will involve travel to partners’ site across Cumbria and unsocial hours working including early mornings, evenings and weekends. For this role you will need a full driving licence valid for use in the UK and access to a vehicle. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• An understanding of woodland management and ecology.
• An understanding of, and experience in, deer management and carcass preparation.
• Experience of working in a woodland environment.
• Competent user of IT including Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Excel and Word.
• A recognised deer management qualification.
• A shotgun and/or firearms certificate.
• A qualification in wildlife or conservation land management.

This is a Fixed-Term Full-Time role for 18 months for 37.5 hours per week, based at Lowther, near Penrith

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 on Tuesday 21st October 2025. For further information please email [email protected] or phone 07568 116392.

For more information download the full role description. Cumbria Connect is hosting a webinar about role on Tuesday 16th September 2025. Sign up here to register for the event and find out more about the role. 

As part of this application you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete a short form. Please provide a cover letter with your application, 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.

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.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes.