Community Ranger

About the Job

What you’ll do…

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to work with communities in your area so that everyone is welcome and recreational facilities are well maintained and appropriate for the communities they serve. Whether running volunteer sessions, letting people know about upcoming forestry operations in their local woodlands, carrying out trail and recreational facility checks, or responding to enquiries on email, face to face or over the phone, you will be the local face of Forestry England to many. You’ll be a visible and welcoming presence, working with local communities to ensure that the nation’s forests meet the needs for all users.

Where you’ll work…

Forestry England is a world leader in sustainable forestry and is the largest provider of outdoor recreation opportunities in the country. This role is based in Wyre Forest and some of its nearby smaller woodlands.

Job Description

Key responsibilities & accountabilities

• In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to work with communities in your area to so that everyone is welcome and recreational facilities are well maintained and appropriate for the communities they serve. Here’s a snapshot of your responsibilities:
• Be the face of Forestry England: you’ll be a visible and welcoming presence for your local communities, working with them to ensure that the nation’s forests are welcoming and meet the needs of all users.
• Maintain safe and enjoyable sites: carry out regular inspections of car parks, cycle routes, and recreational facilities, including play areas and litter management, so the forests you are responsible for are safe and enjoyable.
• Collaborate with staff: support your colleagues to manage public access during planning and implementing land management operations.
• Promote responsible behaviour: deliver appropriate messages about responsible visitor behaviour and professionally manage and resolve potential conflicts.
• Strengthen community engagement: develop community involvement and recreation opportunities that create meaningful connections between visitors and the nation’s forests.
• Support operational programmes: help deliver projects using internal guidance and district plans to promote sustainable and responsible forestry practices.
• Ensure health and safety: Coordinate emergency procedures, provide first aid assistance, complete accident and incident reports, and adhere to health and safety guidelines.
• Manage stakeholder relationships: build strong relationships with external partners, tenants, and concession operators. Collaborate with local agencies, such as the National Park Authority Ranger team, to co-ordinate multi-agency work during peak times and reduce visitor impact and arson risks.
• Be inspiring: plan, lead, and safely manage volunteer groups and programmes connecting volunteers
  and local communities with the nation’s forests.

Person Specification

Essential professional and technical experience

• Experience of working in a public-facing role delivering high quality customer service requiring excellent spoken and written communication skills both in person and using a variety of digital platforms.
• Willing and able to work outdoors in all weathers and to carry out manual tasks.
• Excellent team-working skills and can work with dispersed team members.
• Practical understanding of health and safety best practices and committed to a positive health and safety culture in an outdoor environment.
• Competent IT user with experience in MS Office suite of applications.

Desirable professional and technical experience

• Experience working with various social media platforms.
• Experience of project and contract management.
• Experience in working with volunteers.

Qualifications

Essential

• Full UK driving license
• A GCSE in Maths and English or functional skills equivalent.

Desirable

• HND or equivalent in land or recreation management, tourism or leisure or similar
• 1st Aid
• Health and safety qualification

Head to Civil Service Jobs for full job details and how to apply.