HES/23/071 - Assistant Ranger (Part Time)

Thank you for your interest in the post of Assistant Ranger with Historic Environment Scotland, based at Holyrood Park. This is a part time and pensionable appointment.

You will be required to provide cover, patrol and deliver activities between Holyrood Park, Edinburgh and Linlithgow Peel, West Lothian, as well as deliver activities at other Historic Scotland sites as required.

Overview of the post and information about the team

Historic Environment Scotland Ranger Service was established to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the cultural and natural history of sites within the care of Historic Environment Scotland. The Rangers are based at the two Royal Parks of Holyrood and Linlithgow, as well as within the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site. All are managed by the Ranger and Visitor Services Manager who reports to the Head of Edinburgh Region. The group sits within the Operations Directorate, sharing close links with the Marketing & Engagement and External Relations & Partnership Directorates. The team comprises 1 x Ranger & Visitor Services Manager, 1 x Senior Ranger, 7 x Rangers, 13 x Assistant Rangers (including part time and seasonal roles), 1 x part time Front of House Steward and 1 x Ranger Service Business Support Officer.

The Assistant Ranger positions within our service, form part of the team of Rangers that provides an important and pivotal role actively engaging with the wide variety of visitors, other user groups and local communities.

We need a part-time Assistant Ranger who is willing to work outdoors for long periods of time and who has experience of proactively engaging with and talking to members of the public. You should be able to interpret the sites for our audiences’ enhanced enjoyment, access, and appreciation. At the same time our team enthusiastically encourage responsible public behaviour on our sites to help us protect them and their cultural significance for current and future users.

The Rangers’ and Assistant Rangers’ tasks and roles focus on visitor safety, patrolling and operational management. The post-holder will have a strong focus on visitor engagement, landscape protection and nature conservation, and will be expected to set exemplary standards. There will be opportunities to assist in the development and delivery of learning, community engagement and volunteering opportunities. Your part time role will be focused on working weekends, late shifts in the summer and working some public holidays as part of a rota system.

Key responsibilities, duties and objectives

• Conduct regular patrols of sites to provide a world class welcome, dealing with emergencies, providing basic first aid and summoning assistance if necessary.
• Resolve conflicts and ensure compliance with the Royal Park Regulations, Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, and Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act.
• Exercise a general duty of care for visitors and staff and to ensure that all the Health and Safety requirements of current policies, legislation and guidelines are followed.
• Co-operate across the organisation to assist with the identification, development and planning of projects and initiatives that deliver formal and informal cultural and environmental education programmes, interpretation, engage the local community and other groups, pro-actively in the Parks and other sites, as well as contribute to planning a varied and relevant events and guided walks programme.
• Lead activities such as guided walks, learning groups, events and provide talks as required.
• Undertake, where appropriate, work associated with the monitoring, protection and enhancement of the archaeological, geological and natural features of sites and collated records, Submitting relevant reports to appropriate organisations.
• Communicate effectively with a wide range of organisations, individuals and volunteers through personal contact and meetings, print, broadcast and electronic media.
• Assist with the establishment and maintenance of close, consultative links with members of the public, relevant local, regional and national bodies or organisations in the public, private and voluntary sector, particularly those with a special interest in protecting and conserving the natural and build environment.

Post Competencies

You will be assessed against these competencies during our selection process.

Core Competencies:

• Delivering excellent Service – Demonstrating a commitment to quality services
• Teamwork - Contributing to and supporting working together
• Planning and Organising - Putting plans and resources in place to achieve results
• Communication - Communicating appropriately and clearly
• Knowledge & Expertise - Applying and developing knowledge and expertise to achieve results - (See below for specific criteria)

Knowledge, skills and experience

You will be required to demonstrate that you meet the requirements and qualifications below as part of the selection process.

Essential requirements:

• Possession of a current full UK driving licence.
• Knowledge and experience in delivering customer care.
• Be friendly and outgoing, approachable and helpful, be able to work on your own initiative and be an excellent team player and first-class communicator.
• Willingness and enthusiasm to work outside for long periods.

Desirable requirements:

• Knowledge, understanding and experience of Health and Safety/Risk Assessment development and application.
• Working Knowledge of visitor attraction sector.

Qualifications & Professional Memberships:

• A recognised qualification in, interpretation, archaeology, history, heritage education, environmental education, natural science, countryside, recreation or conservation management, although consideration will be given to candidates demonstrating extensive knowledge of cultural or environmental matters, event or public safety management - Essential
• Knowledge of languages - Desirable
• First aid certificate (training can be provided) - Desirable

What we offer

We welcome applications from all nationalities, assuming that they have the right to work in the UK: applying for a job with us could open the door to a unique work environment. It will give you job satisfaction and excellent development opportunities, plus a competitive salary, 25 days paid holidays (rising to 30 days after 3 years’ service) and 11.5 public holidays a year – pro rata for part time staff.

In addition we offer a great benefits package to our employees which includes:

• flexible working hours (where appropriate)
• special leave
• maternity/paternity leave
• adoption leave
• reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions
• support for further education and personal development
• study leave for work related courses
• access to a learning resource centre

Health and welfare

We offer you access to:

• our Employee Assistance Programme – for confidential advice and counselling
• an occupational sick pay scheme
• discounts at some local authority leisure facilities
• access to a free Headspace membership
• interest free loans for bicycles and annual travel passes (see ‘season ticket’ below)
• reasonable adjustments when needed, as part of our Equalities policy

Staff discounts

You will receive:

• free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests)
• free entry to English Heritage, Manx and Cadw properties
• 20% off purchases in our retail outlets

Season tickets

You can receive an advance to help with the cost of buying an annual season ticket for travel between home and work. The advance is then repaid from your salary over the life of the season ticket. Available to all permanent and fixed-term staff.

Job contact :

Name :
james.hamilton@hes.scot
Email :
james.hamilton@hes.scot

Recruitment team :

Email :
edinburghregionrecruitment@hes.scot