Conservation Ranger

The Role

Conservation Rangers are very often the public face of the NPWS on conservation management, monitoring species and habitats, compliance, and dealing with the general public. The Conservation Ranger position is a full-time role and is challenging, diverse and rewarding. Conservation Rangers work as part of the NPWS regional team who are responsible for implementing nature policies and wildlife protection legislation throughout the country. Much of the Conservation Ranger's time is spent working in the field to assist in this goal. Conservation Rangers may be involved in a wide range of duties, depending on their assigned region, from monitoring and managing midlands or coastal habitats, to managing invasive species in National Parks and Nature Reserves. Duties such as enforcement of the Wildlife Acts and Birds and Habitat Regulations, and processing of Wildlife Licences, are common to all geographical locations that Conservation Rangers are posted to.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

The key duties and responsibilities of the position may include the following:

• Assisting in the management of the National Parks, Nature Reserves and other State lands for nature conservation and public amenity purposes;

• Carrying out patrols of assigned areas (both foot/vehicle);

• Collating and analysing data, report writing and maintaining records;

• Managing and overseeing public access and use in National Parks, Nature Reserves and other State lands;

• Supervision of works, including contracts;

• Monitoring habitats, species and designated conservation areas and providing input into and making recommendations on the habitat and species management requirements of National Parks and Reserves and Natura Sites;

• Assessing and advising on any environmental impacts from proposed developments or applications potentially affecting sites and compile reports and other data as required;

• Liaising with a wide range of stakeholders including landowners, local community interests, the Gardaí and other relevant bodies on nature conservation matters;

• Participating in habitat and wildlife surveys;

• Promoting knowledge of nature conservation including arranging and participating in field trips and indoor and outdoor talks;

• Making presentations to groups on conservation/legislation issues;

• Assisting in the assessment of development applications, Activities Requiring Ministerial Consent (ARC) applications and wildlife licensing issues;

• Overseeing, implementing, complying with and enforcing Wildlife Acts, 1976 and 2000, Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species, and the Birds and Habitats Directives;

• Any other duties assigned by the NPWS from time to time as appropriate to the position.

Please note that duties and workloads are set by the Divisional and Regional Management teams, can include unsocial hours and may vary depending on the location that Conservation Rangers are assigned, and in line with the priorities of NPWS.

Working Environment

Conservation Rangers are normally provided with office accommodation. Where office accommodation is not readily available it may be necessary to establish a home base. In this case, office equipment is provided and an office allowance is paid, subject to certain conditions. They will carry out mainly outdoor duties combined with office duties. Outdoor work may involve travel to various parts of the region on official duties. They may be assigned work in more than one work area of the NPWS, depending on seasonal and geographical and staffing requirements. Conservation Rangers work 39 hours, 5 over 7 day week and weekend attendance is required. The successful candidate will be eligible to apply for blended working arrangements in line with the business needs of the NPWS. Travel and subsistence will be paid in accordance with Civil Service regulations.

Equipment

Conservation Rangers will be required to travel within their assigned locations and will be given access to an official vehicle for official duties. They will also be supplied with the necessary protective clothing and communications equipment to enable them carry out their duties.

Learning, Training and Development

Upon commencement, Conservation Rangers will undertake induction training and on the job training will be provided. They may also attend general civil service courses such as communications, computer skills, Irish language training, etc., as necessary and appropriate. In-service training is provided in specific areas and refresher courses on a variety of relevant topics are held periodically.

Vacancies and location of posts

Conservation Rangers are engaged through regional structures within the NPWS and are deployed throughout the country, and areas of responsibility in line with Departmental business needs and priorities. Conservation Rangers are assigned by county, although their area of responsibility may occasionally overlap county boundaries therefore flexibility is required.

When completing your application form, you are required to select a maximum of 2 of the locations from the list of 26 counties where you would be willing to be based as a Conservation Ranger. You are also required to number your location choices in order of preference. You should only select locations where you would be prepared to work if offered an appointment. The onus is on applicants to select their correct locations. Changes to your location choice(s) or order of preference will not be permitted after your application form has been submitted.

While this is a nationwide competition, there are immediate vacancies in the following counties: Carlow, Cork, Donegal, Offaly, Wexford, Mayo, Kerry, Westmeath.

Appointments

Offers of appointment must be accepted within a maximum period of five working days from date of offer otherwise the offer will be considered to have been refused. If a candidate declines, or is deemed to have declined, the post will be offered to the next candidate on the panel in order of merit.

Please note, declining your first preference location will mean that you cannot come under consideration for your second preference location. However, if you refuse your second preference location, you will retain your placing on the panel for your first preference.

Once a candidate has accepted an offer, no further offers will be made to the candidate, and they will be removed from the panel.

Panels

If you are successful in this competition, you will be placed on a panel, in an Order of Merit. Panels will be established for each county as required in line with the vacancies arising. The immediate vacancies in the locations listed above will be filled initially and panels will be referred to in the event of vacancies arising in other locations during the lifetime of the panel.

Please note that while this is a nationwide competition, the locations where vacancies arise will be in response to the business needs of the NPWS and consequently it is not guaranteed that vacancies will arise in all of the locations during the lifetime of these panels. It is not expected that appointments will be made from these panels after July 2028.

Essential

Candidates must have on or before 19th November 2026:

1. Relevant* experience in wildlife management or nature conservation;

Note: This experience can come from current or previous roles, voluntary work and/or work experience/work placement undertaken during an academic programme.

*Examples of experience relevant to this role include, but are not limited to, areas such as habitat/species conservation programmes, eliminating invasive species, sampling/ testing in a variety of environments, monitoring protected habitats, carrying out habitats surveys, dealing with wildlife, experience of environmental impact assessments, wildlife licencing issues, EU LIFE Projects, animal and/or predator control, deer culling, previous law enforcement experience.

2. Good knowledge of and a keen interest in wildlife and nature conservation;

3. The ability to write concise, clear and accurate reports and maintain records;

4. Good IT skills, particularly for word-processing, data analysis and report-writing;

5. Demonstrable decision making and practical problem-solving skills;

6. The physical ability to perform the duties of the post including foot patrols;

7. The ability to work on their own initiative, and work independently without supervision;

8. Good organisational skills with the ability to manage time effectively including prioritising multiple responsibilities and working under pressure to deliver on goals in a timely manner;

9. Demonstrate the confidence and self-assurance necessary to cope with challenging and sensitive situations;

10. Good customer service skills and experience in dealing with the public;

11. Good interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders;

12. Good communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively, clearly and concisely in English both verbally and in writing;

13. Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and the ability to adapt to a changing work environment;

14. A current full driving licence** (Category B), valid in Ireland1.

**Candidates driving licence must be valid for both manual and automatic transmission vehicles

In addition to the above, candidates must also be able to demonstrate the Key Competencies identified for effective performance at this level (see page 10).

Desirable

• A qualification in biology, geography, environmental science, ecology, nature conservation, or similar related sciences, and/or visitor management/interpretation;

• Experience of using GIS (Geographical Information Systems);

• Previous formal employment in the area of wildlife management/nature conservation;

• Practical field experience in dealing with Wildlife Legislation;

• Presentation and/or public-speaking experience;

• A working knowledge of field biology and ecology and nature conservation issues.

Please note: Qualifications/eligibility may not be confirmed until the final stage of the process, therefore, those candidates who do not possess the essential requirements, on or by the dates as specified, and proceed with their application are putting themselves to unnecessary effort/expense and will not be offered a position from this competition. The onus is on the candidate to ensure they fulfil the eligibility requirements as set out. publicjobs reserves the right to deem an applicant ineligible at any stage if it is apparent that the candidate does not hold the required eligibility/qualifications e.g. from the submitted application form. Candidates who are unable to demonstrate that they hold/will hold the required qualification(s) by the deadline specified may be withdrawn from the competition at any stage. An invitation to tests, interview or any element of the selection process is not acceptance of eligibility. Candidates who are placed on a panel and come under consideration for a position will be required to provide documentary evidence of their eligibility, including qualifications. Please be aware a transcript of results may be required; therefore, the onus is on candidates to have this information available if requested by publicjobs.

Competency Title

Competency Description

Professional Knowledge and Expertise

Conservation Rangers will need to demonstrate the ability to input to and make recommendations on the habitat and species management requirements of National Parks and Reserves and Natura Sites. They must be able to assess and advise on any environmental impacts from proposed developments or applications potentially affecting sites and compile reports and other data as may be required from time to time. A working knowledge of field biology and ecology and nature conservation issues as well as practical field experience in dealing with Wildlife Legislation is desirable.

Commitment to Quality Results

Conservation Rangers identify areas for improvement, for instance at National Parks, and develop practical suggestions for their implementation. They need to demonstrate persistence, determination and commitment to achieving the objectives of the Department. They are required to take responsibility and are accountable for the work of the Department.

Communicating and influencing

Conservation Rangers must demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with others, using appropriate media (oral, written, ICT). They must be able to initiate and maintain sound working relationships to promote and advance the aims of the Department. Civility and courtesy should be evident always when interacting with others, even in challenging situations.

Analysis and Decision Making

Conservation Rangers must be able to collate, analyse and interpret information from relevant sources, weighing up a range of critical factors. Conservation Rangers must demonstrate good decisionmaking capacity, using resources and expertise available, taking account of any broader issues and related implications, while also recognising time constraints.