Meet Jake, our Visitor Services Ranger
Buckinghamshire Council’s Country Parks are visited by over 1 million visitors every year and our Rangers are key to delivering excellent customer service for our visitors. Jake, one of our Rangers, talks about his role in managing the country parks.
Hi Jake, tell us about your role…
'I am a Visitor Services Ranger within the Buckinghamshire Council Country Parks team, based in Black Park Country Park. 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 a pre-existing interest in conservation. I started to participate in weekly voluntary 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 Visitor Services Ranger. 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.'
Working with the team has been fantastic…
'Since joining, I have had the opportunity to play a huge part in providing an excellent experience for our visitors. As a Ranger, I work in a variety of habitats to maintain our Country Parks, ensuring they remain inclusive spaces for everyone to enjoy. I enjoy being part of making the outdoors accessible to the public, helping to ensure our parks are a safe and welcoming place for our visitors.'