Meet Jake — Visitor Services Ranger at Buckinghamshire Council Country Parks…

Since 2020, visitor numbers at Buckinghamshire Councils' Country Parks have grown from 1 million to 1.3 million per year.

We are now entering an exciting period of expansion for the team, with some great new projects to be delivered, including the opening of a brand-new Country Park.

Hi Jake, tell us about your role…

I am a Visitor Services Ranger within the Buckinghamshire Council Country Parks team, based in Black Park, and joined the council earlier this year. In my role, I focus on keeping the main visitor areas of our parks clean, safe, and welcoming. My main responsibilities include daily patrols of the parks and carrying out practical work, such as the preparation and installation of new benches.

Tell us about your career journey before joining Buckinghamshire Council…

After I left university in 2021, I was seeking a career that I would not only enjoy, but have a genuine interest in. I had always wanted to work with nature and had an pre-existing interest in conservation. With this in mind, I started to participate in weekly practical conservation sessions which are held within the Buckinghamshire Council Country Parks. These sessions are fantastic for anyone who wants to gain experience in countryside management, share skills, help protect habitats and biodiversity — as well as meet new people! Attending the sessions provided me with a unique opportunity to work alongside experts within our Country Parks, and were pivotal in helping me to learn and develop the skills and knowledge needed in my role as a Country Parks Ranger.

Applying for the role as Ranger — Visitor Services…

After getting a taster as to what the role entailed, I knew working in the Country Parks team would be the perfect job for me. I had been visiting the parks since I was a child, and having already met the team, there was no doubt that it would be a supportive working environment. In February 2023 the opportunity to apply to join the Buckinghamshire Council Country Parks team came up. During the application process, I attended an open day at Black Park which was hosted by the Buckinghamshire Council Country Parks team, where I received a tour of the park and asked questions about the position. This was very helpful as it gave me as insight as to what the day-to-day life of a Ranger would look like.

My first few months in the team have been fantastic…

Since joining, I have had the opportunity to play a huge part in providing an excellent experience for our visitors. I enjoy helping to ensure our parks are a safe and welcoming place for our visitors. My team are open and supportive in helping me to be the best I can be on both a professional and a personal level, including access to a Mental Health First Aider. They have been instrumental in developing my skills to ensure I continuously learn in my new role.