Accessible Green Space Development Officer

Portsmouth City Council; England; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A local government authority in England is seeking an Accessible Green Space Development Officer for part-time work focused on improving access to green spaces. The role involves community engagement, developing guidance for volunteers, and creating plans for future projects. Candidates should have a relevant qualification and experience in managing parks, along with strong skills in stakeholder management and community engagement. The position offers flexible working conditions, emphasizing the importance of a detailed personal statement in applications.

Benefits

Hybrid working opportunities

Support for applicants with disabilities

Qualifications

• Experience in managing parks and open spaces.
• Ability to communicate clearly through reports and consultations.
• Knowledge of green space benefits for health and climate change.

Responsibilities

• Lead efforts to improve access to existing green spaces.
• Consult with local communities and identify access challenges.
• Develop volunteer guidance and create a playbook for diverse park use.

Skills

Community engagement

Stakeholder management

Biodiversity knowledge

Analytical skills (GIS)

Collaboration skills

Education

Relevant professional qualification

Job description

About Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people‑focused. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.

Job introduction

We are looking for an Accessible Green Space Development Officer to join our Nature Positive Portsmouth project team to deliver nature recovery at scale, climate resilient green infrastructure and improved connection to nature for health and wellbeing in the City. This is a part time role based at the Civic Offices, but will involve some travel around locations within the City and some opportunities for hybrid working depending on business needs, as well as some evening and weekend working for attendance to meetings and events.

Your new role

The Accessible Green Space Development Officer will lead efforts to improve access to existing green spaces and play parks across the city, using evidence from key strategies and assessments to address barriers, enhance climate resilience, and promote multifunctionality. Working closely with local communities and Council Officers, they will consult through community hubs, identify access challenges, and deliver engagement programmes to embed inclusive park use. The role includes developing volunteer guidance, creating a playbook for diverse space utilisation, and building a pipeline of costed projects to secure future investment. Additionally, the officer will support nature‑based interventions, green social prescribing, and partnerships with organisations such as the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, while exploring opportunities to link green spaces with cultural initiatives and assist community groups in unlocking hidden green areas for public benefit.

This post is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund through Nature Towns and Cities, a partnership between the Heritage Fund, Natural England and the National Trust.

Who is the person summary:

The role requires a relevant professional qualification and experience in managing parks and open spaces, with strong skills in community engagement, stakeholder management, and volunteering. You'll need expertise in biodiversity, green infrastructure, and ecological concepts, alongside the ability to develop costed plans, analyse data (including GIS), and communicate clearly through reports and consultations. Strong collaboration and influencing skills are essential, as well as an organised approach and flexibility. Knowledge of green space benefits for health, climate change risks, and frameworks such as the Green Infrastructure and Green Flag Award is important. Understanding local social and economic issues and supporting community groups is desirable but not essential.

For full details, please review 'who is the person' on the job profile below attached.

Our recruitment process

Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page: Support for applicants - Careers portal.

Please ensure that you read the job profile for full details on the post. We offer hybrid working with the expectation to attend the office 2 days a week (pro rata for part time) depending on the role and business needs.

You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the Who is the Person points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.

Please note we reserve the right to close the advert early if we have a successful applicant.

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal.

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact [e-mail] or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.

If you would like to discuss this role in more detail with the hiring manager, please contact Felicity Harris, Strategic Lead Climate Resilience and Natural Environment: [e-mail].

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council.

Interview date: 30th January 2026