Countryside Ranger - Leeds City Council

Countryside Classroom; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

West Yorkshire Pension Fund

Flexible and hybrid working

Career development opportunities

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Countryside Classroom in Leeds is seeking a Countryside Ranger to support volunteer and education activities across parks and green spaces. You will help design management plans, deliver ranger and visitor services, and build strong links with local groups to sustain wildlife and biodiversity initiatives.

You will collaborate with schools and community partners to enhance learning experiences, deliver outreach programs, and promote active use of green spaces while ensuring safety and compliance

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate with a wide group of people at all levels.
• Proven ability to liaise successfully with volunteers, community groups and council officers.
• Ability to organise and deliver training on practical conservation techniques.
• Experience organising events for the public and community groups.
• Experience in environmental learning, countryside management or nature conservation.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the design and development of management plans for Parks and Green Spaces sites.
• Assist in management and delivery of ranger and visitor services.
• Develop and promote involvement of local groups and volunteers in care of Leeds spaces.
• Collaborate with managers, staff, schools and community groups to provide a coordinated visitor experience.
• Liaise with schools and interest groups to utilise educational resources.

Skills

Communication

Volunteer liaison

Training delivery

Public engagement

Event organisation

Self-motivation

Conservation knowledge

Job description

Job details

Job reference: REQ008980
Salary: B3 £27,274 - £29,071
Contractual hours: 37
Basis: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Location: Temple Newsam, Leeds, West Yorkshire

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

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 followingessential 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 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 of 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.
• A full driving licence to enable independent travel to remote locations.