Greenspaces Officer in Esher

Our client is looking for an experienced Greenspaces officer for a 36 hour week, with core hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. You will be passionate about providing high quality green spaces and working with communities to make Elmbridge a great place to live, work and play.

You will be the first point of contact for our Councillors and Communities, responding professionally to queries or concerns about our green spaces. You will manage the grounds maintenance contract and line manage the Green Spaces Monitoring Officer to ensure the delivery of the grounds maintenance contract and follow up on concerns or queries with site visits to confirm locations and the nature of any concerns.

You will support the implementation of actions within the Green Space service delivery plan to achieve our vision, strategic aims and objectives. You will have the opportunity to contribute and deliver continued development of the Green Spaces service areas through consultation with the community and partners. Most of all, you will be working within a great team environment seeking to improve the lives of some of our most vulnerable and deserving residents.

With an excellent personal development programme and support, you will have the opportunity to shape your own development and growth and make a real impact in the community.

The main purpose of the role includes:

• Effective monitoring of the contract performance and working in partnership with the contractor to provide evolving services to meet the needs of the community.
• Manage the delivery of the Grounds Maintenance Contract and handle day-to-day telephone calls or emails with queries about the maintenance of our green spaces.
• Deal with customer feedback, including visiting sites to validate any complaints or concerns where service delivery has not been achieved.
• Work closely with other internal and external partners (Surrey County Council, Surrey Police, Environment Agency etc.) to ensure the green spaces are safe and welcoming to all visitors.
• Support the Green Spaces Manager in the delivery of the green spaces grounds maintenance contracts on land owned or managed by Elmbridge Borough Council, including parks, cemeteries, commons, recreation grounds, as well as associated works, fencing, soft standing/hard surface areas etc.
• Provide advice and guidance on green space matters to all relevant stakeholders including residents, users, members and external organisations.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Effectively respond to correspondence, both internal and external, in accordance with the Council's Customer Services Policy.
• Manage the grounds maintenance contract and other maintenance contracts.
• Raise the profile of the Green Spaces Service through effective use of the council's communications channels, working closely with the Corporate Communications Team and the council's Customer Service team.
• Research, analyse data, assist with the preparation of reports, strategies, programmes and budgets as required.
• Develop and maintain full and effective liaison with other teams within the council.
• Comply with the council's standing orders, financial regulations and its various policies relating to the service's activities.
• Provide effective administration and support for the Green Space Team including answering telephone/email enquiries, raising orders for goods and services, invoicing, utilities etc.
• Ensure that all relevant legislation is applied to the Contracts and appropriate action taken for non-compliance.
• Maintain and monitor a database for the regular completion and review of relevant risk assessments.
• Liaise with Surrey Police towards implementing safety measures.