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Working at the National Park

Northumberland National Park is a beautiful and inspiring place to work.  We have a team of around 75 people working hard to protect this very special place.

Our ambition is nothing less than to transform how people of all ages and all backgrounds experience our great landscape. In July 2017 we opened The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre. This is the most significant initiative to be undertaken in rural Northumberland in a lifetime and the largest undertaking by any National Park.

Our challenge is to protect and conserve the National Park and putting communities and the local economy at the heart of all our work. If you are passionate and innovative, with a flexible ‘can-do’ attitude, then we want you to come and join our team.

You can find our current vacancies here.

We provide an open and supportive working environment, in which individuals are given the autonomy to develop their own areas of work.  We also have personal development plans in place for all staff.

CIPD Awards 2018 Winner for Excellence in Heath and Wellness award logo

What we offer

  • Work-life balance
  • Flexitime
  • A generous leave allowance (25 days rising to 30) plus 8 bank holidays
  • Multi-award winning mental health programme (including a commitment to reduce stigma and to provide counselling for any employee who needs it)
  • Beautiful workspaces
  • Staff days out in the National Park
  • Opportunity for all staff to undertake practical work in the National Park
  • Commitment to training and development with personal development plans for all staff
  • Local government pension
  • Cycle scheme
  • Discounts on some outdoor clothing
  • Health cash plan
  • Free parking
  • Walking meetings
  • Home working
  • Free eye tests
  • Easy travel
  • Good transport links
  • Comprehensive induction programme.

Ranger

"I love working in a great outdoor environment and contributing to the special qualities of the National Park."

Mark Bolton

Ranger Mark Bolton next to his vehicle

Visitor Development and Marketing Manager

"I see my role as contributing to the social movement to protect the special qualities of these upland landscapes, equipping visitors not only with the information they need to explore and enjoy the National Park but to appreciate and care for it as well."

Duncan Wise

Duncan Wise next to a solar scope

Ecologist

"I work all over the National Park and get to see the range of habitats we have here from hay meadows to heather moorland, rivers and bogs. I work with landowners to look after these habitats and the species that live here to make sure they are here for future generations."

Gill Thompson

Ecologist Gill Thompson holding binoculars

Planner

"My role is both challenging and rewarding. It gives me the opportunity to visit every part of the National Park; form the villages to the remote valleys which is a real pleasure. I also get to work with lots of great people, both in my team and throughout the organisation.:

Colin Godfrey

Planner Colin Godfrey holding plans outside

Ranger

"My role as ranger is really varied from day to day which is one of the things that makes the job great. One day I can be putting a ladder stile in on a Public Footpath and the next day leading a group of primary school children on a habitat walk."

Sally Graham

Ranger Sally Graham pond dipping with children

Culture & Values

Our culture and values are very important to us.

Our Values

  • Respect and Equality
  • Collaborative and supportive working
  • Trust and empowerment
  • Communicating and Acting
  • Strong, clear and inspiring leadership
  • Developing and supporting people
  • Customer focus
  • Outward looking and enterprising

Our Culture

  • Is open to and embraces change
  • Supportive community
  • Actively supports personal and organisational learning and development;
  • Values innovation and achievement over systems;
  • Recognises and celebrates individual and team achievements;
  • Learns from what we do within a “no blame” culture, with performance management and review contributing positively to our learning;
  • Has open and honest communications where information is freely shared, feedback given and actions explained;
  • Where non-adherence to our Culture and Values is challenged and inappropriate behaviours are not tolerated.