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Location
About the job
Job summary
The Active Forest Ranger will apply themselves to tasks individually and as part of both the wider recreation and national Active Forests Programme team. The role has responsibility for the facilitation and monitoring of activities and events based at our visitor site(s).
The Active Forests Removing Barriers programme mission is “to provide opportunities for everyone to actively engage and connect with the nation’s forests to improve their health and wellbeing through being physically active”. This is achieved through a number of interventions. This post forms part of the core programme where we work to provide a financially sustainable programme of activity to support the mission.
The role also supports the recreation and visitor services team (20% of time) in managing a safe and welcoming visitor experience and by working duty weekends and bank holidays on a 7-day roster, frequency to be specified by line manager.
The post is based at the Wyre Forest which hosts over 300,000 visits annually at the main visitor site and provides walking, running, cycling and horse riding trails. There is scope to facilitate and run activities at other Forestry England sites such as at Haughmond Hill, near Shrewsbury.
Job description
Key Work Areas:
Increase our value for money, and maximise opportunities to increase income
- Manage a range of regular and one-off activities and events, delivered by others, that enhance our offer and generate income
- Promote sites and activities in conjunction with the marcomms team
- Help lead in the planning and delivery of business plan objectives within the allocated financial year.
- Procure goods and services in line with Forestry England guidance.
- Supervise nominated service contracts, undertaking monthly monitoring
Increase our capacity and effectiveness through partnership working
- Build good relationships and provide a point of contact for nominated third party businesses that operate on-site by carrying out regular reviews and audits
- Review Event and Permission applications to increase the recreational offer
- Champion the Permissions process and CRM system to help manage customer expectations
Provide everyone with a clear purpose and equip them to do their jobs
- In line with national & local guidance develop, introduce and coordinate a team of Active Forests (AF) volunteers to support AF delivery
- Contribute to regular AF ranger meetings and local recreation team meetings to share information and best practice.
Embed a safety-first culture in our teams
- Input incidents and accidents into Airsweb, collating all relevant information. Live incidents (lost children, cycle accidents, antisocial behaviour...) will be dealt with professionally and efficiently.
- Ensure personal safety by using Peoplesafe (lone working) and by carrying out PPE and safety checks, in compliance with policy guidance.
- Use and review risk assessments to ensure safe working practices and safe provision of facilities
Provide a built estate that is fit for purpose for all users
- Carry out facility and trail inspections and ensure that defects are properly recorded and rectified in a timely manner.
- Ensure that all activities and events are in the right place, based on facilities and site management
The key work areas detailed are the typical duties expected of the role but are not an exhaustive list. The post holder may be reasonably requested to undertake other duties by their manager.
Person specification
Essential:
- Wide interest and knowledge of physical activities and experience of managing customer focused physical activities and events
- Experience of working in an outdoor setting with an emphasis on safety, efficiency, and excellent customer service
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for liaison with internal and external personnel
- Excellent team working skills
- Competence in the use of MS Office applications and social media platforms
- A good understanding of relevant health and safety best practice
- Valid driving license
Desirable:
- A degree or HND level qualification, preferably in sports, recreation or countryside management and/or significant relevant experience.
- Experience of monitoring, reviewing and auditing activities
- Data analysis experience
- Marketing or promotional experience
- Proven ability to manage competing demands and prioritise workloads
- Experience of supervising volunteers
- A qualification in First Aid at work
Please clearly demonstrate how you meet the required criteria throughout your application. Failure to do so will mean that your application is automatically sifted out.
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete the following:
1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements.
2. A Personal Statement – in no more than 750 words showing how you meet, as a minimum, the essential criteria of the person specification. Your personal statement should demonstrate your suitability for the role including examples of how you meet the specific experience/skills requirements.
Sift/Interview
Interview questions will be based around the behaviours and strengths listed in the job advert.
Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement only. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential role requirements within their statement.
We are aiming to hold interviews on 15th April 2024.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Forestry Commission from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Where a role has been identified as one which falls under the scope of the Public Sector English Language Requirements, within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English. Applicants will be assessed in the selection process in accordance with the requirements.
The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.
The duties of the post require a flexible working week to allow for working on weekends, public and privilege holidays and evenings (with the exception of Christmas Day).
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
