Jobs

JOB PURPOSE
To combine responsibilities on visitor management, community engagement, education and nature conservation, to help deliver the objectives of Mar Lodge Estate and wider National Trust for Scotland.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
Visitor Management / Engagement

• Ensure public-facing presence during peak tourist times, by staffing the ranger hut at Linn of Dee and supervising car parks during busy periods.
• Actively and positively engage with visitors to help them make the best of their visits.
• Promote responsible access as outlined in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
• Undertake routine patrols to help safeguard the estate from wildfire risk.
• Use visitor engagement to promote and sell NTS membership.
• Undertake regular inspections of visitor infrastructure on the estate (car parks, parking machines, toilets, paths, litter, signage etc) and address any problems that arise.
• Undertake regular surveys of parking ticket compliance / visitor behaviour, for both internal and external reporting.
• Schedule and deliver public events, including lodge tours, guided walks and family events, to promote the natural/cultural heritage of Mar Lodge Estate.

Community Engagement / Partnership Working

• Engaging with a wide range of partners and stakeholders, including local businesses, community groups, neighbouring landowners, other ranger services and fellow conservation organisations.
• Liaise with Cairngorms National Park Ranger Service to help facilitate their Deeside patrols.
• Source appropriate photos and other relevant content for Mar Lodge Estate social media channels.

Learning & Volunteering

• Assist with educational visits to and from local schools/institutions.
• Help manage conservation/path maintenance volunteers.

Conservation

• Co-ordinate daily management of on-site moth trap, as part of the Rothamsted Insect Survey
• Assist with ecological surveys, and data/materials collection as required.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
• Driving Licence, valid for driving within the UK.

Desirable
• Qualification in relevant land management discipline e.g. Countryside Management, Ecology.
• Current First Aid certification (or willingness to train and use).

REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
Essential
• Ability to interact with a wide range of groups and stakeholders e.g. visitors, colleagues, volunteers, partner organisations, educational institutions and contractors.
• Working Knowledge of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
• Confidence to positively engage with visitors in potentially challenging situations.
• Ability to work both within a small team and individually, including lone working in remote areas.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Desirable
• Demonstrable experience in a public-facing role.
• Leading or assisting with public events, guided walks etc.
• Overseeing, or working with, volunteer work parties.
• Working with school and/or youth groups.
• Fundraising/sales experience.
• Good knowledge of the natural and cultural heritage of the Cairngorms National Park.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office software.

DIMENSIONS AND SCOPE OF JOB
Scale
• Over 29,000 hectares of land.
• Britain’s largest National Nature Reserve.
• Numerous designations including National Park, SAC, SPA, Ramsar and SSSI.
• Significant built heritage including Mar Lodge, stable block offices and Derry Lodge, plus holiday accommodation, workshop, biomass plant, estate accommodation and ruined structures.
• At least 70,000 visitors per year.
• 200 miles of mountain footpaths.
• 7 scheduled ancient monument sites plus numerous other archaeological sites. 

People Management
 No management of staff involved in this role.
 Role involves assisting rangers in working with/managing volunteer work parties.
 Role requires staff to become a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.

Tools / equipment / systems
 Will be a frequent user of vehicles, tools and equipment subject to appropriate training as required.

Application Deadline: Sunday 01/02/2026