Salary: £26,253 (Band A1)
Location: Various: Badenoch and Strathspey / Deeside / Angus Glens and North Perthshire
Job Type: Fixed term contract (16 June to 16 September 2026)
Hours: Full time (35 hrs per week)
Please note, weekend and evening working will be required for all posts
There will be occasions when your rota’d hours may conclude at 22:00, but you will not be expected to work more than 7 hours / day. Your contracted work days are Tuesday to Saturday.
Closing Date: 23:59pm, Sunday 3 May 2026
Interview Date: Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th May 2026
About Us:
The Cairngorms National Park is the largest national park in the UK, covering 4500km2. It is also a place of sheer abundance, having more high mountain ground than anywhere else in the UK, the largest Caledonian forest, some of Scotland’s purest rivers and finest livestock rearing farmland. It is home to 25 percent of the UK’s rare and endangered species. It is a truly unique place to work, with our dedicated and passionate Visitor Services team who are committed to people and nature thriving together.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority is a fantastic place to work and offers great opportunities to grow your career. The Park Authority is listed in the UK’s top 100 best not- for-profit companies to work for. We’re dedicated to both this amazing place and our employees.
We now have an exciting opportunity for Trainee Rangers to join the broad Cairngorms National Park Authority Ranger Service working with residents and visitors encouraging people to; safely and responsibly enjoy the National Park; learn about what is special; and positively contribute to this exceptional place.
Equalities:
The Park Authority is an inclusive organisation and we welcome applications from everyone irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, relationship status, disability, age and social class. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, disabled and LGBTQ+ communities, as they are under-represented in the environment sector.
We are Disability Confident committed employer, if you are an applicant with disabilities who meets the essential requirements of the post, we will interview you. In all circumstances the Park Authority appoints on merit-based evidence the applicant supplies in meeting the essential criteria for the post.
The Role:
As a Trainee Ranger you will be part of the broad Cairngorms National Park Authority Ranger Service, which includes the Countryside Rangers, Seasonal Rangers, Trainee Rangers, Volunteer Rangers and partner rangers working with residents and visitors encouraging people to; safely and responsibly enjoy the National Park; learn about what is special; and positively contribute to this exceptional place.
Working under the direct supervision of the Park Authority Rangers, you will patrol at key visitor hotspots, community footpaths and other recreation areas. In shadowing countryside and seasonal rangers, you will experience and learn how to use positive engagement to ensure visitors to the National Park have a safe and responsible visit.
You will work alongside partner ranger services to observe and develop wider rangering skills around habitat management, wildlife survey techniques, site based management etc.
Working alongside countryside and seasonal rangers you will be able to support initiatives which raise awareness and understanding of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and Fire Management byelaw. You will build skills through working with rangers and partners to address the direct impacts of irresponsible behaviour.
Trainee Rangers will be provided with a record of training and development, focused on the competencies required for further Countryside Ranger career development.
So, if you are keen to be a Trainee Ranger and you can display the skills and experience listed here, this is the role you’ve been waiting for.
Please note:
The successful candidate/s will be required to hold Disclosure Scotland PVG membership, which will be arranged by the Park Authority.
It is the responsibility of the successful candidate/s to source appropriate accommodation, this is not provided by the Park Authority.
CNPA Benefits:
25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service, plus Public Holidays
Professional development
Flexible working
Cycle to work scheme
Use of fleet vehicles
Civil service pension scheme – some of the benefits include:
member contribution rates among the lowest in the public sector
tax relief on your contributions
generous employer contributions
a secure, inflation-proof pension for life, with no investment uncertainty
the option of tax-free lump sum on retirement
potential access to ill health and injury benefits if you become too ill to work
life assurance cover
benefits for loved ones and dependants
options to increase your pension
keeping all your pensions in one place by transferring in a pension you have built up elsewhere
support from our trusted charity partners
About You:
To be considered as one of our Trainee Rangers, you’ll need:
• A geographical knowledge of the “outdoors”
• An awareness of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code
• Good interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate well.
• A passion for enjoying the outdoors responsibly.
• Flexible approach to working hours as regular evening, morning and weekend working will be required.
• Physically fit and able/willing to work outside in all weather conditions
• Permission to work in the UK
How to apply:
To apply, please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button
Please note, we do not accept Curriculum Vitae (CV).
If you require more information, or if you require any adjustments to be made to the application process due to disability please contact us on 01479 873535 or email:
[email protected]
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