Trainee Ranger (Green Pathways)

Summary:

As a Trainee Ranger and part of a small and friendly team, you will support the management, maintenance, and enhancement of a suite of countryside sites including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), nature reserves, country parks, and public access infrastructure across more than 42 square miles of the Cotswold Lakes.

This role is designed as a development opportunity for someone at the early stages of a countryside management career. You will gain practical experience working alongside experienced staff, volunteers, partner organisations, and landowners to help deliver benefits for wildlife and people while building your own skills and confidence in land management and conservation. There will be opportunities for more formal training courses in skills such as first aid, and use of land management equipment.

About Cotswold Lakes

Cotswold Lakes covers an area of more than 42 square miles and 180 lakes, with abundant wildlife, many different leisure opportunities, and a variety of places to stay. This stunning wetland landscape hosts tens of thousands of breeding and wintering birds and is an ideal destination for watching wildlife all year round.

About Cotswold Lakes Trust

Formed in 1996 as the Cotswold Water Park Society, and now known as Cotswold Lakes Trust, we have been a fully registered charity since April 2011. Cotswold Lakes Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees who oversee the work of a small team of staff based near Down Ampney in the Cotswold Lakes. The Trust works with a huge variety of people to care for this dynamic and challenging area.

About your role

Cotswold Lakes is a fascinating and challenging place to work, with a variety of habitats including open water, reedbeds, scrub, wet woodland, rivers and streams, and meadows. Add in the built environment with historic towns and villages such as South Cerney, Cricklade, Fairford, Lechlade, and Ashton Keynes and you’ll begin to appreciate the true mosaic of landscape within which the Trust operates.

We’re a close-knit team and you’ll need to be adaptable and willing to pitch in where needed, whether it’s carrying out your regular duties, helping at a fundraising event, or assisting on a guided walk. You’ll be given the support and equipment needed to develop your skills in a place that’s bursting with potential. You’ll be keen to learn but will hopefully already have an affinity with the countryside and conservation, including access to it by the public. You’ll be part of a team of rangers and volunteers making improvements to our own sites and, where appropriate, those owned by others. We regularly carry out partnership work with lake owners, minerals operators, conservation organisations and statutory bodies. Day to day you could expect to be managing important wildlife habitats through coppicing, felling, and hedge laying; or managing country parks and public access routes with brushcutters, mowers, and tractor. There are always fences to repair and replace; as well as tools, equipment, and vehicles to maintain and keep clean; and the far from glamorous but sadly essential litter picking. If you don’t already, then you’ll soon learn to love all these tasks come rain or shine (or snow) …

Job Title: Trainee Ranger (Green Pathways)
Location: Cotswold Lakes (formerly known as Cotswold Water Park)
Based at: Cleveland Lakes, Ashton Keynes, Swindon, SN6 6QP and Manor Farm, Down Ampney Estate, Cirencester, GL7 5QF
Terms: 22.5 hours per week
Contract: Fixed term (12 months)
Salary: Up to £12.71 per hour (depending on age)
Managed by: Conservation & Estates Director; Head Ranger
Closing Date: Friday 24th April 2026
Interview date: Week commencing Monday 27th April 2026
Start date: May 2026 depending on any notice required.

This role is being supported by funding from the Wiltshire & Swindon Community Foundation.