Community Ranger

Salary details: £ - £

PLEASE DO NOT APPLY USING THE DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL WEBSITE, PLEASE SEE DETAILS BELOW

We are looking for a full time Community Ranger to help conserve and improve Hurst Farm’s outdoor spaces.

Hurst Farm Regeneration Ltd (HFRL) is a Charitable Community Benefit Society whose trading name is Wild Works. We aim to serve the broader interests of the community living at The Hurst Farm Estate in Matlock through delivering the following objectives: 

• education, training & helping people to find work experience
• enabling access to arts, culture or heritage
• provision of housing for those who are in conditions of need
• improvement of local housing
• relieving of poverty
• maintaining, improving or providing public amenities, recreational facilities and services
• protecting the environment 

We are working to create financial sustainability to enable us to deliver these objectives, through the delivery of viable social enterprises on Hurst Farm. We are working with the Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC) who were awarded a £1.2m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) in 2022 for the delivery of the Hurst Farm Heritage Trail project in Matlock. 

The Project aims to improve the woodland to make it easier and more enjoyable to explore, through infrastructure improvements, informative signage and storytelling panels. The path will enable accessibility from the Social Club to the Wishing Stone, a local heritage feature, and work will commence in June 2025 over four months. 

Alongside these improvements a comprehensive Activity Plan is in place to encourage people to use and treasure the woodland, including events, taster sessions and opportunities for learning through volunteering and training and the Ranger posts are a key element of this. 

As part of the project, The Farmers Garden has been created next to the entrance to the woodland, above the Farmers View Social Club. It provides a safe space for local residents both to develop gardening skills and as meeting places to support their wellbeing through volunteering. Produce grown in the garden is given back to the community through the Farmers Larder community pantry, and is sold through the Milk Churn Cafe. 

Informal discussion about the role is encouraged by contacting the Business Development Manager Lisa Newton to organise a time. 

Applications to comprise a CV outlining relevant experience and a covering letter providing a short explanation of why this post appeals to you. Applicants will be required to produce two references and CRB checks will be undertaken. 

Applications by email to lisa@hurstfarm.org.uk or return to 'The Hive' 6 Hazel Grove, Matlock DE4 3ED.

Please ensure your completed application is returned no later than 5.00pm on the Closing Date.

Late applications cannot be accepted.

Suitable applicants will be invited to spend a half hour with staff to explore the woodland and garden, followed by an interview

We would like to speak to you if you could champion outdoor learning and volunteering using your own experience, and inspire people to get involved. 

Provisional Interview Date: Thursday 12 June 2025

Please be aware that Derbyshire County Council is placing this advert on behalf of this organisation and you should refer directly to its website for details of the terms and conditions attached to this post. Any queries regarding this advert or the recruitment process should be made directly to the organisation.