Ranger (Boat Team)

Are you looking for an exciting and rewarding opportunity to work in one of the most beautiful and scenic landscapes in the world?

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park covers over 720 square miles of Scotland’s finest countryside which welcomes over 4 million visitors each year. From the stunning sea lochs and rugged coastline through the majestic glens and breath-taking Loch, Scotland’s first National Park truly is a magical place to live or visit and an incredible place to work.

Job Title: Ranger (Boat Team)

Salary: £28,770 - £32,511 (Band B1) per annum

Working Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway

The role:

This is an exciting time for the National Park Authority. A new National Park Partnership Plan is being developed with the vision that by 2045 Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is a thriving place that is nature positive and carbon negative. Working in partnership and collaboratively, there is much we can do to support the National Park - and Scotland’s - response to the Climate and Nature emergencies.

There is a rare opportunity for an experienced boat skipper to join the Ranger Service within our Boat Team operating on Loch Lomond. You’ll be working to support the delivery of the National Park Partnership Plan, 5 Year Plan and Ranger Service Operational Plan. These are key corporate initiatives that will help to conserve and protect our great National Park from the ongoing climate emergency.

For this role, candidates will require to be qualified to RYA Advanced Powerboat or Coastal Skipper (preferably with commercial endorsement) with recent experience of working in a commercial workboat environment, preferably as a boat skipper. The role will suit candidates with demonstrable experience of working with the public with the ability to handle and control possible difficult situations during byelaw enforcement. You should also have experience of working in a countryside management, recreation or conservation role. Effective communication skills, both written and oral, are essential for this role as is a strong customer focus.

Responsibilities:

• Support the delivery of Ranger Service objectives from the National Park Partnership Plan, and 5 Year Plan through the Ranger Service Operational Plan, team and individual work plans;
• Develop and support initiatives which promote an understanding of the National Park and the role of the Ranger Service;
• Deliver visitor management operations including; patrolling land and/or water, byelaw enforcement, litter management and the issuing of fixed penalty notices;
• Skipper or crew a range of boats in line with the National Park Authority Safety Management System including the emergency towing of vessels;
• Deliver front of house duties in National Park Authority facilities providing advice, information and a point of contact for the public;
• Deliver outdoor learning activities and support the development of resources in partnership with the Education Adviser;
• Deliver volunteering opportunities and support the development of the volunteer programme in partnership with the Volunteer Adviser;
• Deliver agreed outcomes from the Biodiversity Action Pan in partnership with the Land Management and Landscape & Ecology teams;
• Develop, support & deliver community engagement activities across the National Park;
• Support the delivery of inspections & audit programmes such as; access routes & sites, navigation buoys, piers and other infrastructure; undertaking any maintenance, habitat management or repairs as required;
• Comply with all National Park Authority policies & procedures required to deliver an agreed annual work programme including timely and accurate reporting;
• Provide mentoring & support to colleagues, seasonal staff and NPA volunteers as required;
• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade as required;

Who we are looking for:

Your skills, abilities and experience should include:

• RYA Advanced Power Boat or Coastal Skipper qualification
• Demonstrable experience working in a countryside management, recreation or conservation role
• Delivery of outdoor learning activities and/or public events
• Leading volunteers to deliver practical tasks
• Understanding of natural heritage and visitor management issues
• Strong customer focus
• Good ICT skills
• Basic countryside management & maintenance skills
• NVQ level 3 (ONC) in relevant subject e.g. countryside management, conservation, recreation management or equivalent experience in a similar role
• Able to drive in the UK
• Must be able to undertake foot patrols for prolonged periods and undertake practical work outside in all weather conditions

Ideally, but not essential, you’ll also have:

• Commercial endorsement on Skipper qualification
• Byelaw enforcement & issuing of FPN’s
• Experience of working with public agencies, communities, NGOs and land managers
• Visitor management skills
• Survey and monitoring skills
• Appreciation of the values, roles and responsibilities of a National Park in Scotland

Where a candidate has an RYA Advanced Powerboat or Coastal Skipper qualification without a commercial endorsement, it will be a requirement that the commercial endorsement is obtained within 1 month of commencing employment. A suitable ML5 or ENG1 certificate will be required before commencing employment. Commercial endorsements must allow for single manning of vessels.

How to apply:

If you are interested in this role, complete your application by 29th January 2025 @ 9am.

• Access our application form on our job portal
• Interviews will be virtual or in person at Balloch
• Interviews will be held in the week commencing 3rd February 2025

Who we are and our values:

We offer flexible and remote working, with a generous pension scheme and annual leave allowance. Staff have access to wellbeing services and there is a strong focus on wellbeing throughout the organisation.

Being part of Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority means being passionate about what you do, working hard to inspire and lead the way for others. We care about each other and are accessible and friendly treating each other with respect and understanding, we think about our planet with each decision we make. Together, we are the difference.

Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority are proud to celebrate difference. Diversity of experience is vital in our success we want our business to be representative to the communities we work alongside. As an equal opportunity employer, we actively encourage applicants from a wide range of individuals, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, gender identity and expression, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.