River Ranger

  • Job Reference: UU06105-365018
  • Date Posted: 31 July 2026
  • Employer: United Utilities
  • Location: Manchester
  • Salary: On Application
  • Sector: Operations
  • Job Type: Permanent
  • Work Hours: Full Time

Job Description

The Role

Do you have a passion for the environment and enjoy working outdoors?

Are you looking for a role where you can make a genuine difference to local communities, wildlife and the health of our rivers?

We're looking for an enthusiastic and motivated River Ranger based out of Manchester to play a key role in monitoring, protecting and improving river health. This is a fantastic opportunity to work at the forefront of river catchment management, combining practical fieldwork, community engagement and environmental stewardship to help create cleaner, healthier waterways for people and nature.

What You'll Be Doing

No two days are the same in this varied and rewarding role. You'll be:

  • Monitoring river health through field inspections, observations and environmental assessments and feeding this back into decision making processes.
  • Undertaking regular river and catchment inspections to identify environmental risks, issues and opportunities for improvement.
  • Supporting the development and delivery of river care and environmental improvement initiatives.
  • Managing riverine litter and sewage-related debris within watercourses and the UU wastewater asset base, working with operational teams, contractors and partners to deliver timely clean-up activities and improve the condition of local rivers.
  • Acting as a local ambassador for river health and environmental stewardship.
  • Engaging with local communities, volunteers, and environmental groups to support environmental stewardship initiatives.
  • Supporting investigations and responses to environmental incidents and emerging concerns within catchments.
  • Promoting catchment-based solutions that deliver positive outcomes for rivers, wildlife and communities.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship

What We're Looking For

As a River Ranger, you'll spend much of your time working outdoors in river and catchment environments, monitoring river health and supporting initiatives that deliver tangible environmental improvements. Acting as a visible presence within local catchments, you'll work collaboratively with colleagues, communities, regulators and partner organisations to identify issues, promote best practice and support environmental stewardship.

This varied and rewarding role sits at the heart of our catchment-based approach, helping us better understand the health of our rivers, respond to environmental concerns and deliver initiatives that create lasting benefits for both nature and local communities.

Essential Skills & Experience

  • Knowledge or experience of working within an environmental or outdoor-based role
  • A genuine passion for the environment and working outdoors
  • An interest and appreciation of river health and water quality pressures across a catchment system
  • Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
  • Strong communication and relationship-building skills
  • Ability to dynamically assess risk and make informed decisions in the field
  • Confidence in recognising, reporting, and escalating issues appropriately
  • Full clean UK driving licence

Desirable

  • Knowledge and experience of wastewater networks
  • Experience working on or around open water

Why Join Us?

As a River Ranger, you'll be part of a team making a visible difference to rivers and communities across the North West. You'll work in some of the region's most important environmental locations, enjoy a varied and energetic role and have the opportunity to contribute directly to improving the natural environment for future generations.