Seasonal Rangers

Job Type: Fixed term contract
Hours: Full and part time posts

• Full time, 35 hrs per week: 16 March or 20 April (2 intakes) to 16 October 2026
• Part time, 21 hrs per week: 20 April to 20 September 2026

Please note, weekend and evening working will be required for all posts

About Us

The Cairngorms National Park is the largest national park in the UK, covering 4500km2. It is also a place of sheer abundance, having more high mountain ground than anywhere else in the UK, the largest Caledonian forest, some of Scotland’s purest rivers and finest livestock rearing farmland. It is home to 25 percent of the UK’s rare and endangered species. It is a truly unique place to work, with our dedicated and passionate Visitor Services team who are committed to people and nature thriving together.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority is a fantastic place to work and offers great opportunities to grow your career. The Park Authority is listed in the UK’s top 100 best not-for-profit companies to work for. We’re dedicated to both this amazing place and our employees.

We now have an exciting opportunity for Seasonal Rangers to join the Park Authority supporting the delivery of the National Park Partnership Plan, working with partners to encourage people to have a safe, enjoyable and responsible visit to Cairngorms National Park.

Equalities

The Park Authority is an inclusive organisation and we welcome applications from everyone irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, relationship status, disability, age and social class. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, disabled and LGBTQ+ communities, as they are under-represented in the environment sector.

We are Disability Confident committed employer, if you are an applicant with disabilities who meets the essential requirements of the post, we will interview you. In all circumstances the Park Authority appoints on merit-based evidence the applicant supplies in meeting the essential criteria for the post.

The Role

As a Seasonal Ranger you will be part of the broad Cairngorms National Park Authority Ranger Service, working with residents and visitors encouraging people to; safely and responsibly enjoy the National Park; learn about what is special; and positively contribute to this exceptional place.

The key role of seasonal rangers is patrolling at visitor hotspots, community footpaths and other recreation areas to provide positive engagement to ensure visitors to the National Park have a safe and responsible visit. Having a presence at these sites is essential, so patrolling at quieter times and areas is a requirement of the role.

The postholder will work with partner site-based ranger service to address the direct impacts of irresponsible behaviour, to promote and uphold the fire management byelaw and enforce, if necessary.

You will raise awareness and understanding of the National Parks special qualities, including ‘sharing good stories’, through engagement pop up’s. You will also assist in the delivery of wider ranger engagement activities, if required.

Under direction from the Recreation and Access Team, seasonal rangers may carry out inspections & audits of access routes & sites undertaking any basic maintenance, or repairs as required.

So, if you are keen to be a Seasonal Ranger, supporting delivery of the National Park Partnership Plan and working with partners to encourage people to have a safe, enjoyable and responsible visit to the Cairngorms National Park and you can display the skills and experience listed here, this is the role you’ve been waiting for.

Please note:

The successful candidate/s will be required to hold Disclosure Scotland PVG membership, which will be arranged by the Park Authority.

It is the responsibility of the successful candidate/s to source appropriate accommodation, this is not provided by the Park Authority.

CNPA Benefits

• 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service, plus Public Holidays
• Professional development
• Flexible working
• Cycle to work scheme
• Use of fleet vehicles
• Civil service pension scheme – some of the benefits include:
  • member contribution rates among the lowest in the public sector
  • tax relief on your contributions
  • generous employer contributions
  • a secure, inflation-proof pension for life, with no investment uncertainty
  • the option of tax-free lump sum on retirement
  • potential access to ill health and injury benefits if you become too ill to work
  • life assurance cover
  • benefits for loved ones and dependants
  • options to increase your pension
  • keeping all your pensions in one place by transferring in a pension you have built up elsewhere
  • support from our trusted charity partners

About You

To be considered as one of our Seasonal Rangers, you’ll need:

• In depth geographical knowledge of the “outdoors”
• Thorough understanding of the complexities of access and land management issues in the Cairngorms National Park
• Strong customer focus and interpersonal skills with a clear ability to communicate well with a range of audiences & deal with challenging situations
• A passion for, and experience of, encouraging a wide range of people to responsibly enjoy the outdoors
• Ability to work alone, without supervision, along with excellent team and partnership working skills
• Current UK Driving Licence
• Access to a vehicle insured for use on road in the role (mileage reimbursed at standard Scottish Government rates)
• Flexible approach to working hours as regular evening, morning and weekend working will be required.
• Physically fit and able/willing to work outside in all weather conditions
• Permission to work in the UK

How to apply

To apply, please click on the 'Find out more & apply' button below.

Please note, we do not accept Curriculum Vitae (CV).

If you require more information, or if you require any adjustments to be made to the application process due to disability please contact us on 01479 873535 or email: [email protected]

To see how the CNPA collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants, please view the Privacy Notice available on our website.

Closing Date: 23:59pm, Monday 9 February 2026
Interview Date: Full time posts, Wednesday 18, Thursday 19 and Friday 20 February 2026
Part time posts, Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 February 2026