Lead Countryside Ranger

Overview

About this job

Be at the Heart of London’s New Species Reintroduction Programme

Are you passionate about nature recovery, outdoor learning, and inspiring communities to connect with their environment? Do you want to help bring locally extinct species back to London?

We are seeking a motivated, forward thinking Lead Countryside Ranger to join our team at Eastbrookend Country Park, one of East London’s most significant ecological landscapes.

This role sits at the heart of the borough’s landmark Species Reintroduction Programme, which will return Eurasian beavers and white storks to Eastbrookend Country Park. White storks have been extinct as a breeding species in the UK since 1416, making this a rare opportunity to restore lost wildlife to the capital.

Beavers once shaped Britain’s rivers, wetlands, and floodplains before being hunted to extinction in the 16th century. Now recognised as a keystone species, their return is transforming ecosystems nationwide. At Eastbrookend, the Discovery Centre will overlook newly created beaver lakes, offering a unique living landscape for schools, families, and community groups to learn about ecology, rewilding, hydrology, and species restoration.

The beaver family will live in a large, purpose built enclosure of interconnected lakes, wetland edges, and mixed woodland. This secure habitat will allow natural behaviour while ensuring responsible management, public safety, and ecological monitoring.

Reintroducing beavers will restore a vital ecosystem engineer to Dagenham for the first time in over 400 years. As Lead Ranger, you will help develop, monitor, and manage the enclosure and surrounding habitats; support ecological surveys; lead public engagement; and help deliver the environmental, hydrological, and educational benefits of beaver activity.

Working closely with the London Wildlife Trust’s Senior Species Reintroduction Officer, you will act as the Council’s lead officer, supporting the planning, delivery, monitoring, and long term stewardship of this flagship rewilding project.

Based at the award winning Eastbrookend Discovery Centre, you will also help manage the wider Dagenham Corridor Green Belt, deliver environmental learning, and support community and volunteer programmes that encourage nature stewardship.

• Lead the Council’s work on the Eurasian Beaver and White Stork Reintroduction Programme, working daily with the London Wildlife Trust.
• Deliver curriculum linked environmental education and lead our Forest School programme.
• Coordinate and supervise volunteer conservation workdays, including corporate and social prescribing groups.
• Carry out habitat management and site maintenance to Green Flag Award standards.
• Work with schools, community groups, and partners to deliver inclusive nature based events and engagement activities.
• Maintain a visible, approachable presence in the park, promoting safety, stewardship, and community involvement.
• Support delivery of the 2025 Parks and Open Spaces Strategy and contribute to borough wide biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainability goals.

• Experience delivering environmental education or Forest School sessions.
• Strong practical conservation skills and confidence leading volunteers and public groups.
• A passion for working with communities, young people, and diverse audiences outdoors.
• Knowledge of UK habitats, species, biodiversity, and environmental legislation.
• A proactive, flexible, collaborative approach and confidence in public facing roles.
• Enthusiasm for ecological restoration and species reintroduction.

• Full UK Driving Licence essential, as you will be required to travel between sites and across the borough.
• Willingness to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends (time off in lieu will be provided).
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions and undertake practical conservation and site maintenance tasks.
• Comfortable wearing the official Ranger Service uniform, personal protective equipment (PPE), and body worn camera while on duty.
• Physically able to carry out manual tasks such as habitat management, site…