Countryside Ranger Apprentice Level 4 – Countryside Access Maintenance Team

Countryside Ranger Apprentice Level 4 – Countryside Access Maintenance Team opportunity
  • Industry: Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care
  • Salary: GBP23576
  • Working hours: 36
  • Education requirements: none
  • Qualification requirements: none
  • Apply by: 21 Aug, 2024
  • Start date: Ongoing
  • Apply now
This role has a starting salary of £23,576 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week. This role is a 24-month fixed term apprenticeship opportunity. We are excited to be recruiting a Level 4 Countryside Ranger Apprentice within our Countryside Access Team which sits within our Environment, Property and Growth Directorate. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and welcome applications from all under represented groups, particularly those with EHCP’s or any additional needs. Rewards and Benefits
  • The chance to get paid to learn and use your own personal talents to shape your future
  • 26 days’ holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years’ service
  • Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
  • An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
  • Up to 5 days of carer’s leave per year
  • Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
  • A generous local government salary related pension
  • Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
  • 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
  • Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
About Us
The Countryside Access team sits within our Environment, Property and Growth Directorate and looks after nearly 2,200 miles of public rights of way. It is responsible for maintenance and enforcement, improvement, and legal definition work across the network, as well as promoting countryside access and biodiversity. The role implements the County Council's statutory and priority countryside access duties, powers and responsibilities, including maintenance and inspections.
Please note: This 24 month fixed term apprenticeship is only available for those who will not be enrolled in another government funded programme as of 1st September 2024 and do not possess a qualification at a higher or the same level as this one in the same subject. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility please contact recruit@surreycc.gov.uk.
About your Apprenticeship 
We want this apprenticeship to be an opportunity for you to gain experience across a wide range of duties putting you in the best position to succeed in your apprenticeship qualification and take the first steps on your career journey! The role will be focussed on Public Access and Rights of Way but will include secondments to other teams.
We are seeking an enthusiastic self-starter, with a passion for the countryside and access to it for all.   You will be organised, with good IT and communication skills. You will be liaising with the public and landholders to find solutions to varied issues, and work with contractors, user groups, external agencies and volunteers to ensure our rights of way are safe and accessible.
In this role you will:
  • Work both independently and closely with other team members to deliver a range of countryside access projects
  • Organise, deliver, and supervise small scale project work relating to rights of way and countryside access such as installation of gates, bridges, steps and surfacing
  • Identify and respond to issues that impact on the rights of way network
  • Assist with management of the Downs Link long distance path in Surrey, for the benefit of users and conservation
  • Support and guide volunteer groups to undertake countryside access work, often in remote locations, across Surrey
We won’t be expecting you to jump in and be able to do this all from day one. You’ll first go through an induction period allowing you to get used to the office and the team. As you gain more confidence in your role, you’ll be supported to do more and more!
The learning side of your apprenticeship will be delivered by Bridgewater and Taunton College. As you progress through your course, you will join a series of online learning sessions, will attend two, one week residential courses, and will need to complete a comprehensive learning journal demonstrating that the skills you have acquired meet the necessary standard.
As your qualification comes to an end and you begin to turn your eye to the future, we have a fantastic support programme in place that will put you in the best position to take the next step on your exciting career journey. Our desire is for all our apprenticeships to be the first step on a long and successful career journey within SCC.
If you do not hold an English and Maths GCSE graded A-C or 4-9, you will be required to complete these in addition to the apprenticeship in order to achieve the apprenticeship qualification. Additional tutoring and support will be provided.
How to Apply
Applying with us is simple! We aren’t asking for a CV; all we ask is that you answer a few questions about yourself and the role you're applying for to see if this job is a good match for you! They will be:
  1. What excites you about applying for this apprenticeship?
  2. Tell us about a time when you took the initiative to learn something new outside of education. It could be a hobby, skill, or subject that interested you. How did you go about learning it? What did you gain from the experience? Did you come up against any challenges?
  3. Describe a team project or group activity you were involved in. What was your role and how did you contribute to the team's success? Did you come up against any obstacles? How did you overcome them?
  4. You are working with a group of colleagues on a construction task. You complete your immediate assignment. What do you do next?
  5. Tell us what interests you about working in the countryside, and public access.
Surrey has both urban and rural areas and workers for this role will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK and access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area.
Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.
Please see the Apprenticeship Standard before applying, linked HERE.
Contact us 
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. For an informal discussion please contact John Baker by e-mail and/or telephone at john.baker@surreycc.gov.uk or 07968 832699. The job advert closes at 23:59 on 21st August 2024 with interviews planned for 4 September 2024. We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
Our Values
Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook also attached provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.
Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:
  • The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
  • The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.