Assistant Countryside Officer

Job Introduction

Are you ready to be part of something extraordinary?

Our Environment & Countryside service is more than just a team – we're a force of nature! With a passion for preserving and enhancing Staffordshire's natural beauty, we are on a mission to create a landscape that inspires and captivates all who encounter it.

From enchanting country parks, copious reservoirs and sprawling greenways, we are committed to shaping a future where every corner of Staffordshire has something to offer visitors to Staffordshire’s Countryside.

You'll be based at our depot in Werrington though you will be required to work from other County Council locations as required. The Country Parks Team operates seven days a week including weekends and bank holidays. Standard hours of work are 37 hours per week worked in five days, with two (generally consecutive) rest days.

Main Responsibility

We are looking for a practical person to help shape the future of our country parks.

The role is extremely varied; you will:

• work closely with our Countryside Officers delivering practical habitat and maintenance works,
• patrolling sites to ensure they are safe, clean, secure,
• providing practical support for the delivery of events and visitor activities.

Working with the wider Country Parks Team,

• you will lead volunteer work parties, 
• undertake site inspections and assist with site habitat and species surveys
• and engage visitors and stakeholders to promote the work of the Environment and Countryside Team.

The Ideal Candidate

You will have :

• have a strong practical focus, and be capable of extended periods of physical work. Tasks will be carried out on a range of terrain (e.g. steep slopes and wet ground) and include grassland management / restoration, heathland and woodland management, maintaining fire breaks and fencing,
• experience of using and maintaining forestry and grounds maintenance equipment  and other demonstrable practical countryside skills in fencing, hedgelaying or similar.
• a passion, interest and knowledge of the natural and historic environment and some experience of engaging with the public to promote the understanding of nature conservation and heritage.

A current drivers licence is essential and experience of driving plant and machinery would be desirable. 

For more information about this role, please contact Tim Cleary, tim.cleary@staffordshire.gov.uk

About Staffordshire County Council

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values:

The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:

We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.

We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too. 

Our benefits:

We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance. 

In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire

Our recruitment process:

As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post. 

As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.