Countryside Ranger

Job title: Countryside Ranger

Salary: B3 £27,274 - £29,071

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 100 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. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Michelle Glover on [phone removed], email [email removed] or Joe Green on [phone removed]

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

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.

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