Ranger – Public Engagement

About our Organisation

Part of the Soil Association Group, the Soil Association Land Trust safeguards legacies of
productive land, providing a safe haven and preventing land being lost from farming and
growing.

Woodoaks Farm lies on the western edge of Greater London and is one of the newest farms
acquired in 2020 by The Soil Association Land Trust.

The 300-acre open farm provides a truly unique opportunity to inspire and connect people with
food, farming and nature. As a ranger you will be part of a small but growing team, working
together to regenerate the landscape, encourage biodiversity and create a vibrant community hub
for education, food and farming that provides an inclusive and warm welcome to all.

About the Opportunity

You will be helping to restore woodlands, dig ponds, plant hedgerows and build a resilient
volunteer team and programme of events that allows us to welcome schools, local businesses and
corporate clients on to the farm to learn about how nature led farming and sustainable food
production can lead to a healthier community and environment.

In this newly created role, you will lead groups of volunteers in a variety of habitat
restoration projects that will enhance biodiversity and create lasting connections to the land.
You will be a key player in welcoming and engaging our local community in daily one to one
encounters or larger organised group activities.

Reporting to the Community Engagement and Partnerships Manager and working with the Woodoaks
farm team, you will be found mostly outdoors in all weathers which may involve lone working at
times. Tasks will include delivery of our woodland management plans alongside farm
infrastructure maintenance, habitat restoration and wildlife monitoring. When indoors, you will
be inspiring more people to get involved and working with environment and community partners to
expand our impact and reach.

You will be leading and inspiring volunteers, helping them to build their skills, confidence
and knowledge and in doing so creating a loyal and invaluable workforce, aligned with our
values and vision.

Central to all of this is ensuring that we create a safe and happy environment for each and
every farm visitor.

About You

You’ll need to:

• Deliver practical conservation work to protect and enhance Woodoaks Farm landscape
• Have good practical skills in all areas of maintenance, helping the team to deliver a high
  standard of presentation
• Have experience of working with volunteers from different backgrounds and abilities
• Demonstrate a passion for nature, people and the outdoors
• Be able to engage with visitors to ensure they understand the value of your work
• Be able to work safely, with risk assessments and compliance with safety procedures
• Be physically fit and robust enough to manage long periods of physical work and on occasions
  the lifting of heavy tools and loads.
• Have a full UK driving licence.
• Be enthusiastic and outgoing with an interest in people and conversation.
• A passionate communicator able to lead small or large groups with confidence

Find out more about the Soil Association Land Trust work at Woodoaks Farm via Facebook and Instagram.

Commitment to Safeguarding

The Soil Association and Soil Association Land-Trust are committed to safeguarding and
promoting the welfare of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults that we work
with. In accordance with this commitment we ensure that we follow a thorough and safe
recruitment and selection process for all roles that work with children. This includes checking
against the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) where appropriate. Please note that if you are
successful in your application to the role any offer of employment will be subject to a
satisfactory DBS check.

Our Benefits

We offer a range of financial and lifestyle benefits to all our employees, including:

• 27 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days with length of service plus bank holidays
• Pension scheme with ethical investment options and employer contribution increasing with
  length of service
• Free membership of the Soil Association and discounts on organic produce
• Volunteer days to give back to the local community or support green initiatives
• Family friendly policies and flexible working
• Cycle to work scheme
• Sociable and engaging workplace of professionals that share a passion for healthy,
  sustainable lifestyle and produce

Hours

30 – 37.5 hours per week 

Some weekend, bank holiday, and evening work may be required on occasion

Fixed Term – 2 Years

Location

Based at Woodoaks Farm with some hybrid working

Woodoaks Farm, Maple Cross, Hertfordshire WD3 9XQ