Ranger – Belhus woods Country Park (4 days per week) in South Ockendon

The Opportunity

Essex is a diverse county with some of the highest levels of deprivation in the country through to highly affluent communities, which gives us a wide variance in life expectancy and quality. Culture and Green Spaces will deliver exceptional customer experiences, demonstrating the benefit of Essex’s strategic location, with the objective of developing a financially sustainable operation.

The Ranger is responsible for undertaking duties to effectively manage the green spaces across Essex, including habitat management, to enhance nature conservation across the landscape and horticultural value, in line with the requirement to achieve a high quality of land management. In addition, ensuring that the sites are a safe and well-presented environment for the visiting public. Rangers deliver all customer service elements which would include activities, events, community involvement and special interest groups.

Accountabilities

• Responsible for aspects of the day to day operation of the site and its facilities, ensuring the site is well presented and maintained at all times, good repair regimes and clear work programmes are followed.
• Contribute to the management of the land to enhance its nature conservation, habitat and landscape management, historic features and structures for recreational and amenity value.
• Achieving a high quality of land management to support the site’s management plan and contribute to maintaining the Green Flag status across all sites.
• Contribute to creating a safe environment for visitors by conducting regular checks of the country parks and to ensure it is a clean and safe environment for all visitors and users.
• Contribute to ensuring country parks meet all legislative requirements including all byelaws, health and safety and other relevant legislation, carrying out regular Health and Safety checks and completing all relevant paperwork/reports in line with the park’s procedures.
• Engage with customers to consider and improve the visitor’s experience; dealing with issues and problems involving visitors that occur within a country park.
• Undertake and participate in a range of projects to contribute to the effectiveness of activities and share knowledge and expertise on all country park activities.
• Responsibility for the management of volunteers and work experience placements to ensure they are fully supported in their daily tasks.
• Liaise across the Council, such as education and events to help support programmes across the service.
• Support the requirement to build and maintain effective relationships with neighbours, stakeholders and partners by liaising with other landowners and community groups.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Land management experience of working across diverse habitat types.
• Ideally trained in the use of machinery and equipment such as tractors, chainsaw and brush cutters.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to demonstrate good customer service.
• Evidence of delivering excellent customer service across a wide range of people.
• Understanding and experience of ecological/habitat management and the Country Parks ethos and commitment to promoting enjoyment of the countryside.
• Evidence of working within a team to achieve joint objectives.
• Experience of planning and managing resources, including staff and services, arranging for purchases as required, in line with procedures and maintaining records.
• An awareness of the ways in which a public sector organisation may work.
• The ability to work in a responsive way, but also to work to mid/long term plans, and to prioritise tasks.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.