Parks & Openspaces Officer

Coventry City Council; Coventry; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Coventry seeks a Parks and Open Spaces Officer to manage and enhance the city's parks and green spaces. The role involves assessing planning applications, liaising with community groups, and developing projects to improve accessibility and safety of public spaces. Candidates must have a relevant qualification in green space management, the right to work in the UK, and a satisfactory DBS check. This position offers opportunities for community engagement and impactful project work.

Benefits

Comprehensive rewards and benefits package

Qualifications

• Right to work in the UK required.
• Satisfactory DBS check is mandatory.
• Experience in green space management essential.

Responsibilities

• Assess planning applications impacting green spaces.
• Collaborate with planners to enhance park features.
• Engage with resident groups and address inquiries.
• Develop projects for park safety and attractiveness.

Skills

Knowledge of parks and green spaces

Project management principles

Community engagement

Education

Relevant qualifications in green space management

Job description

Introduction

In Coventry, we cherish and value our award-winning parks and green spaces. They contribute significantly to the health, well‑being, and quality of life of people and are vital to help protect our environment and wildlife. The Parks and Open Spaces Team is a passionate, hardworking team responsible for the provision and development of safe, accessible, and attractive parks and open spaces and the management, planning and maintenance of the Council’s trees and urban forest. They work hard to ensure our parks are a welcoming place for all of our residents and visitors to enjoy today and for many years to come.

Our Values

• Open and fair: We are fair, open and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

Job Role

The Parks and Open Spaces Officers (POSO) are key members of the service and have a multi‑faceted role. Reporting to the Parks Service Manager, you will join a small team responsible for the care of Coventry's green spaces, monitoring their condition and identifying opportunities for improvements. The POSOs help improve the city's parks by developing and delivering projects to protect and improve the city's green spaces. This includes working closely with different service areas within the city council and with external partners to ensure that parks and other open spaces are part of the city's wider development.

Responsibilities

• Assess planning applications that may affect or include green spaces in the city, identifying opportunities to enhance biodiversity and amenity facilities.
• Work with planners, developers and other colleagues to secure funding or create new features in green spaces where appropriate.
• Liaise with resident groups and respond to enquiries from visitors, utilities and other users of parks to maintain the parks’ reputation as a credit to the city.
• Develop and deliver projects that protect and improve green spaces, ensuring they remain safe, accessible and attractive.

Qualifications

• Right to work in the UK.
• No sponsorship offered for this role.
• Appointment subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
• A suitably qualified and experienced green space professional with knowledge of the care and development of parks and other open spaces.
• Understanding of project‑management principles, especially in relation to parks, woodlands or similar environments.
• Track record of delivering practical and sustainable improvements that meet the needs of park visitors.

Culture and Benefits

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change. We are cutting‑edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse. At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5,100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things. If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Individuals who are currently in care or have previously been in care
• Individuals who consider themselves disabled or have a long‑term health condition