Person specification

Job Title Nature Conservation Team Leader (Senior Nature Conservation Ranger)Service Area Parks and Open Spaces Function Parks Development

Team Nature Conservation Ranger Team

Post number VR1701 Grad

e VS5 £30,534Method of candidate assessment: A = Application Form I = Interview T = TestWeighting: 3 = most important, 1= least important

Selection Criteria A - I - T Weighting

Education and Qualifications:

To hold an appropriate environmental qualification, e.g. a degree or diploma in Countryside Management, Forestry/ Woodland Management, Environmental Science, Ecology or equivalent or have at least 4 years work experience in a related discipline.

To hold professional peer reviewed membership relevant to this industry or can demonstrate the experience to apply successfully while in post.

A & I 2

Experience:

A minimum of two years’ experience in a managerial or leadership capacity in parks and open spaces, nature conservation or a related discipline.

Experience of managing projects and budgets Experience of working with senior managers and liaising with

politicians in local government over sensitive issues and projects Experience of the decision and operating processes that a local

authority uses Experience of developing high level environmental or nature

conservation initiatives in parks, open spaces, nature reserves and community

Experience of managing open space operations, management contracts and partnerships related to nature conservation

Experience of surveying habitats and species Experience of writing ecological and open space management

plans, to meet recognised industry standards, and delivering them Experience of writing high level council reports and providing

robust policy driven comments to major planning applications Experience of interpreting and promoting the natural environment

to a wide range of people

All A & I 3

Skills:

Ability to provide strong leadership to colleagues and steer the team towards corporate objectives

Ability to manage time and prioritize effectively, manage the workload of own and other’s work and work to deadlines

Good networking, partnership and negotiating skills that are influential with others

Ability to work within a team To have good verbal and written communication skills in order to

ensure effective communication with a wide range of individuals

All A & I 3

and organisations Ability to prepare, collate, analyse and interpret specialist

information and present the information in an appropriate manner Ability to prepare high level documents and reports, and to deal

with scrutiny from senior management and politicians Microsoft Office skills including the use of Word, Excel,

PowerPoint, Access Experience and ability to use MapInfo GIS

Knowledge:

Knowledge of UK habitats and species and UK nature conservation issues, particularly urban conservation

Knowledge of Biodiversity Action Planning, nature conservation policies and wildlife law

Knowledge of management practice and technique for a range of habitats and species

Knowledge and awareness of Local Government operating and decision making processes and the ability to operate in that environment.

All A & I

3

Other job requirements:

Ability to be available outside normal working hours, appropriate to work requirements

Must have a valid driving license and access to a carEssential

Job Description

Job Title Nature Conservation Team Leader (Senior Nature Conservation Ranger)

Service Area Parks and Open Spaces Function Parks DevelopmentTeam Nature

Conservation Ranger Team

Post number VR1701 Grade VS5 £30,534

Responsible to Parks Development ManagerResponsible for (includepeople and resources)

Up to 3 full and part time StaffUp to 100 VolunteersRevenue budgets up to £100,000Up to £100k on capital budgets

Purpose of Job

To provide effective management and firm leadership of the Nature Conservation Ranger Team to implement site management plans, nature conservation targets for borough, regional and national policy, environmental projects, community outreach programmes and operational delivery of the boroughs main nature reserves/country park sites.

To promote and provide access to nature for Redbridge’s parks and open spaces.

To manage and enhance nature conservation areas within parks and open spaces and drive forward the Council’s duty on Biodiversity.

To manage and further develop the boroughs EWGS scheme and sites accredited with FSC certification.

To act as the lead Borough ecologist, providing robust comments and advice on nature conservation management and policy to other departments in the Council.

To oversee the management of the James Leal Centre in Ray Park

Major duties and responsibilities

Management of Nature Conservation

1. To lead and manage a team of rangers, by allocating / coordinating the work of the team, providing leadership, advice and guidance and ensuring the consistent implementation of Vision policies and procedures, including health and safety.

2. To function as the principal Borough Ecologist, dealing with all matters relating to nature conservation, ecology and biodiversity for Vision and the London Borough of Redbridge

3. To oversee the management of nature conservation areas in the borough’s parks and open spaces.

4. To develop and manage habitat creation or enhancement projects, including the

engagement and management of contractors and staff from other departments when required.

5. Manage the Nature Conservation, Claybury Park and James Leal Centre budget effectively and be responsible for separate grant funded projects budgets. Monitor budget performance and control expenditure to meet objectives.

6. To update or develop current open space management plans, ensuring the protection of existing designations and/or accreditations.

7. To manage the creation and implementation of new management plans for sites with no plan or for those seeking accreditation.

8. To manage and develop further opportunities under the current EWGS scheme and future stewardship programme.

9. To oversee and promote the need for updating the current Nature Conservation Strategy

10.To act as champion for the borough’s designated SINCs (Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation), seeking their protection and improvement, and robust review on their current grades and additional sites to be added.

11.To lead and be responsible for coordinating robust policy driven comments and advice on planning applications and local projects, which could impact or provide opportunities on nature conservation.

12.To lead on inspections, surveys and investigate complaints, recommending the appropriate mitigating work to be undertaken by either the grounds maintenance contractor or commissioning external contractors as necessary

13.To prepare client briefs and develop specifications for the procurement of specialist project works and act as the Client Officer for external contractors.

14.To develop, initiate and lead on projects related to nature conservation and parks and open spaces

Community outreach

15.To develop, deliver and promote an events programme for the community, in a range of open spaces throughout the borough.

16.Deliver talks to community groups to raise awareness of environmental and nature conservation issues.

17.Continued development and delivery of the nature conservation volunteer programme, with updated tasks to assist with the management of conservation areas in the borough. Promote the volunteer programme to encourage inclusivity and participation from all parts of the community.

18.Encourage, and provide assistance with, the development of Friends groups in parks.

19.Ensure the health and safety of all volunteers, and maintain risk assessments. Ensure all volunteers are trained in the use of hand tools and safety procedures.

20.To develop an information strategy for the public, including contributing towards

appropriate and suitable interpretation.

21.To seek and secure external funding, grant and sponsorship income to support the delivery of nature conservation projects.

22.To work in partnership with a range of internal and external organisations and individuals.

Schools

23.To provide an advisory service to schools regarding the management of school grounds for wildlife and nature conservation.

24.To continue to develop the outdoor classroom and secret garden space at Ray Park, as the teams main educational hub.

25.To manage the outdoor classroom programme, to provide activities such as bug hunts and pond dipping sessions for school groups in parks and open spaces.

26.Deliver environmental outreach sessions to primary and secondary schools.

27.Develop opportunities using parks and open spaces as a learning resource.

Redbridge Policy and Performance Indicators

28.To lead on the delivery of the boroughs Environmental Action Plan and BAP via the duties and responsibilities allocated to the post and record actions taken on the specific targets allocated to the post, and report progress.

29.To record and report on team success and development, ensuring that statistics on volunteering, events and service provision are robustly recorded and analysed.

Maintenance of parks and open spaces

30.To have operational management responsibility for Claybury Park, Roding Valley Park and Hainault Lodge LNR

31.To manage and oversee the ground maintenance contracts for areas of operational responsibility.

32.To oversee management of the James Leal Centre.

33.To provide an advisory service for resident and park users, assisting with enquiries and to act as the first point of contact if a problem arises.

34.To report and log all anti-social behaviour issues to the relevant departments

35.To manage the Country Park Warden for Claybury and Roding Valley, ensuring cleansing, patrol and maintenance duties are performed

36.To support Council Officers in improving parks and open spaces and assist in the achievement of quality standards such as Green Flag.

37.Undertake any other duties that may be necessary, commensurate with the grade and nature of the post.

APPLICATION FORM

Please complete this form in black inkPosition: Location: How did you hear about this

vacancy?

Personal Details:Surname: Forename(s): Title:

Mr/Miss/Mrs/Ms*

Home Address:

Postcode:

Home Tel No: Work/Mobile Tel No:

Email:

Sex: Male/Female*

National Insurance Number: (If you are unable to supply this, please attach evidence of your right to work in the UK).

Do you possess a current driving license? Yes/No* Provisional/Full*

Please indicate type (car, HGV etc.)

* Circle as applicableCurrent or Most Recent Employment:Company Name and Address: Position Held: Description of Duties:

Salary/Wage:

Start Date: Leave Date: Length of Notice: Reason for Leaving:

Previous Employment:

Name of Company PositionHeld

StartDate

LeaveDate

Salary/Wage Reason for Leaving

Education and Qualifications (Please list most recent first)

Subject Qualification e.g. NVQ, GCSE, A-levels,

ResultObtained Awarding Body Date Obtained

Other Training and Courses Attended (Supply details included dates attended)

Experience (Please describe how you meet the requirement of the person specification, referring to your education/qualifications, experiences/knowledge and skills/competencies)

Membership of Professional Bodies

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974This post is exempt from the above Act, as the nature of the job falls within the type of work excluded from the Act by the 1975 and 2001 Exemptions Amendment. This means you must declare on this for all offences, convictions, cautions, bindovers or any court cases you may have pending. Convictions will not necessarily be a bar to employment with Vision R C and L.

Declaration of Criminal OffencesIf you do not have any, please write NONE

Please provide dates and details of 1) Any convictions and/or 2) Any form of motoring offence (including the number of points on your driving licence, date of offence and disqualification period) and 3) Details of any cases pending.

Details of Offence(s) Place and Date of Judgement(s) Sentence(s)

All information given will be treated in the strictest confidence and will be used for this job application onlyReferences It is our policy to take up employment references covering the last two years. Please give details of your employers during this period. If not previously employed, please give the details of your Head teacher or someone who knows you well – not a relative. Please note

that references will not be taken up until an employment offer is made and accepted.

Current/Most Recent Employer

Referee Name: Position:

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Address:

Email:

Tel No:

Previous Employer

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Please check all the answers you have given and read the statement below carefully before signing it.I certify that the above information is, to the best of my knowledge, true and complete and I understand that if any details are found to be false, any offer of employment may be withdrawn or employment terminated.Signature of Applicant

Name (please print)

Date:

Thank you for your application. (Please note, if you have not received a response within 21 days, your application has not been successful)

Workforce Monitoring

In line with Codes of Practice issues by the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Commission for Racial Equality and as required by the Audit Commission, Vision-Redbridge, Culture & Leisure collects and maintains information on the gender, ethnic origin and disabilities of its employees.

It will be appreciated if you will complete this section of the application form, which will be separated from the rest of the form before shortlist selection takes place.

You can be assured that this information will be treated in confidence and will not be available to shortlisting managers or interviewers

1. Gender Male Female

2. What is your ethnic group?

Please choose one selection from A to E and then tick the appropriate box within your chosen section to indicate your cultural background.

A. White

British Irish

Any other White Background

B. Mixed

White and Black Caribbean White and Black African

White and Black Asian Any other Mixed background

C. Asian or Asian British

Indian Pakistani

Bangladeshi Any other Asian Background

D. Black or Black British

Caribbean African

Any other Black Background

E. Chinese or other Ethnic Group

Chinese or other Ethnic Group

3. Do you consider that you have a disability as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995?

This means any long-term illness, health problem or disability that limits your daily activities or the work you can do.Please indicate

4. Date of birth

Where did you see this post advertised?

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