At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead woodland and countryside management, ensuring ecological and community benefits.
- Company: Join Sheffield City Council's award-winning Parks and Countryside service.
- Benefits: Generous holiday entitlement, flexible working options, and commitment to equality.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth in a vibrant city focused on sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on Sheffield's green spaces and community wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Experience in woodland management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 28350 - 34650 £ per year.
Location: Sheffield – Centre in the Park (Norfolk Park) and various sites around the city.
We are excited to be recruiting to this important role, which will join the award-winning Parks and Countryside service within Sheffield City Council! We are looking for someone who loves working within the environmental sector with applied experience in woodland and countryside management. Equally important is someone who will bring their energy, passion and drive to this varied and valuable role for Sheffield.
Sheffield is an amazing city with a proud heritage and a prosperous future. We’re a city on the up, alive with activity and energy and bursting with talent. We want to create the right environment for everyone to thrive with great neighbourhoods where communities have healthier lives in our Outdoor City. We’re passionate about responding to the nature and climate emergencies and are committed to ensuring our green spaces support nature recovery.
As part of our wider green space network, the Parks and Countryside Service are responsible for the management of over 181 woodlands, three of which are Green Flag and all of which are managed to the UK Woodland Assurance Standard. Our service’s wider green space network includes 95 parks, recreation grounds and gardens, three Visitor and Education Centres, more than 150 children’s playgrounds, 15 bike tracks, 81 allotment sites and 262 Nature Conservation sites.
We’re deeply proud and passionate about our woodlands and the wider countryside estate as we know how important these spaces are to our communities – they bring ecological, social and economic benefits to the whole city. Our woodlands (particularly ancient woodlands) provide some of the most valuable wildlife habitats in the city and receive hundreds of thousands of visits each year. Our productive conifer woodlands fall largely within the Peak District National Park and also form a key part of the estate.
As the Woodland and Countryside Manager you will be responsible for managing sites in a third of the city alongside supporting your colleagues managing the other two. You will line manage a team of staff who directly work on these sites alongside volunteers, contractors, partners and stakeholders to ensure they meet key standards and management plan objectives.
You must be experienced in the Woodland/Forestry and Countryside sector and a confident and organised leader. You will have the ability to multitask day to day operational duties alongside delivering strategic ambitions and the varying needs of a range of partners and stakeholders.
Details about the Parks and Countryside Service are available on the Council’s internet pages: Parks, sport and recreation | Sheffield City Council.
We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.
It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.
Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form.
Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.
If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.
Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.
Woodland & Countryside Manager employer: Environmentjob
At the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions a positive work culture and values employee wellbeing. With flexible working options, generous leave policies, and a commitment to professional growth, we empower our team to make a meaningful impact on the National Cycle Network while enjoying a supportive environment. Join us in our mission to promote active travel and be part of a collaborative team that values equity and continuous learning.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Woodland & Countryside Manager
✨Get Involved in Local Environmental Initiatives
Dive into your local environmental scenes, like community clean-up projects or eco-focused events. Not only will you meet like-minded people, but it's a surefire way to showcase your passion and skills in environmental engineering tech.
✨Join Industry-Specific Organisations
Check out organisations like the Institution of Environmental Engineers for networking opportunities and resources. They often host events and seminars that can help us connect with key players in the industry, including potential employers like Environmentjob.
✨Show Off Your Projects and Passion
Create a portfolio that highlights any relevant projects, whether it's coursework, internships, or personal initiatives. Share this online, perhaps even on platforms like GitHub or your own website, to grab the attention of hiring managers looking for talent like us.
✨Utilise Environmental Job Boards
Take advantage of niche job boards dedicated to environmental careers. Sites like Green Jobs, Environmental Career and EcoJobs often feature openings from companies like Environmentjob and can help us land that full-time gig.
We think you need these skills to ace Woodland & Countryside Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for a role in environmental engineering tech, make sure to highlight your technical skills like CAD software proficiency, data analysis, or modelling techniques. These are essential for the job and should stand out in your CV and cover letter, showing how you can contribute to projects at Environmentjob.
Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability:In this field, showcasing your passion for sustainability and environmental protection can set you apart. Include any relevant projects, volunteer experience, or courses that underline your commitment to these causes. Environmentjob will appreciate candidates who genuinely care about making a difference.
Tailor Your Application to the Role:Don't just send a generic CV and cover letter. Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Woodland & Countryside Manager at Environmentjob. Highlight experiences that align directly with the job description and give concrete examples of your work to demonstrate that you’re the right fit for a full-time position.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have certifications related to environmental engineering or technology, like LEED Accreditation or any relevant software certifications, make sure to mention them. These qualifications can boost your application and show that you’re serious about your professional development in this competitive field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Environmentjob
✨Brush Up on Environmental Regulations
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest environmental regulations and standards. In an environmental engineering tech role at Environmentjob, you might be asked specific questions about compliance measures, so understanding these will definitely give you an edge.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your proficiency with relevant tools and software, such as AutoCAD or GIS. You might be given a practical problem to solve during the interview, so it’s a great idea to brush up on these skills and perhaps even bring a portfolio of your projects to showcase your technical prowess.
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sustainability
In a full-time role, employers are looking for commitment and enthusiasm. Share your experiences, studies, or projects that reflect your passion for environmental sustainability. This will show Environmentjob that you're not just qualified but genuinely invested in the field.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Be ready for behavioural questions that assess how you handle teamwork, conflict, and project management. Think of examples from your studies or practical experiences where you tackled challenges effectively, showcasing both your technical and interpersonal skills.