Countryside Ranger - REQ002754

Job title: Countryside Ranger

Salary: B3 £26,403 - £28,142

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Temple Newsam

We are a friendly, collaborative, and ambitious team and with the help of the hundreds of volunteers who work with us every year, we can achieve so much in our mission to protect, promote and enhance the green spaces of Leeds.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Countryside Ranger you will bring to the role:

Enthusiasm to work collaboratively with communities to activate spaces
Passion about increasing wildlife, biodiversity awareness and enhancing parks and green spaces
Effective communication, presentation and record keeping skills
Experience of environmental learning, countryside management or nature conservation
Strong organisational and time management skills

About the role

Conducting volunteer engagement opportunities whilst raising the awareness and benefits of spending time in green spaces
Develop and promote the involvement of local groups in the care and enhancement of Leeds green spaces
Working collaboratively with the community, Leeds City Council and funders to activate spaces

Volunteers working with the ranger team contribute approximately 14,000 hours per year across all green spaces including parks, cemeteries, woodlands and local nature reserves. We also work with over 115 local businesses helping them to fulfil their corporate social responsibilities.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements

a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Michelle Glover on 0113 3788161, email michelle.glover@leeds.gov.uk or Joe Green on 07891 270848

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children or Adultsbarred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

To assist in the management, co-ordination and delivery of volunteer and education activities in support of the Parks and Green Spaces Strategy.

Responsibilities

To assist in the design and development of comprehensive management plans for Parks and Green Spaces sites.
To assist in the management and implementation of ranger and visitor services in the parks and green spaces of Leeds.
To assist in the development, promotion and co-ordination of local groups and volunteers in the care and enhancement of the parks, green spaces and more general countryside of Leeds.
To work with managers and other staff in the service to achieve a co-ordinated visitor experience.
To liaise with schools and interest groups to fully utilise the educational resources of the area.
To ensure effective consultation mechanisms in order to develop the work of the Climate, Energy and Green Spaces team.
To compile and provide performance information that is accurate and timely as requested.
To represent the service at all appropriate internal and external meetings.
Proven ability to liaise successfully with colleagues, volunteers, members of the public, business partners, community groups, in bloom groups, council officers and elected members.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.
Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

Ability to communicate with a wide group of people, individually, in groups and at all appropriate levels.
Proven ability to liaise successfully with volunteers, members of the public, community groups, council officers and elected members.
Ability to organise and deliver training on appropriate practical conservation techniques.
Ability to organise and supervise environmental educational activities for school groups.
Ability to work independently and without direct supervision
A broad knowledge of fauna and flora.
Knowledge of conservation techniques required for wetland, grassland and woodland habitats.
Experience in the management and conservation of urban countryside.
Experience in the supervision, recruitment and retention of volunteers of all backgrounds.
Experience of organising and running events for the general public, playschemes, scout and guide movements and other community groups.
Experience in undertaking guided walks and presentations.
Experience (minimum of 2 years) relevant in same/similar work.
Experience in working with underrepresented communities and liaising with internal and external clients.
Experience of organising management of sites for recreation and nature conservation.
Experience of undertaking minor maintenance works, survey and field work.
Experience of working within EDI framework and undertaking of relevant appraisals.
Experience of procurement in accordance with relevant regulations.
Positive commitment to providing excellence in service provision and the development of working practices and policies.
A full driving licence to enable independent travel to remote locations.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Ability to keep accurate records and produce reports.
Ability to travel distances over undulating terrain.
Ability to successfully balance and prioritise competing pressures in the management of urban countryside.
Ability to achieve set deadlines and goals.
Knowledge of budgetary procedures.
Knowledge of computing skills, particularly in Microsoft Word and Excel.
Experience in developing various interpretation aids, such as trail boards, information panels and directional signs.
Experience in driving with a trailer.
Experience in the use of hand steered grass-cutting machinery.
Experience and relevant certification in the use of a brushcutter and chainsaw. (Must be over 18 years of age to use the chainsaw and brushcutter).

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