Job summary
We are Forestry England. We are the country�s largest land manager, caring for the nation�s forests for people, nature and the economy. The foundation of our organisation is our world-class sustainable management of the nation�s forests.
Our four values capture how we work:
1. Think beyond a lifetime - We make plans today for a better tomorrow, so our business and our forests are sustainable and fit for the future.
2. Be adventurous - We approach challenges with creativity and adventure, embracing research and innovation to stay relevant.
3. Do it together - We get our best results when we work with others, and we encourage diverse perspectives, so we make better decisions.
4. Look out and look after - We care about our colleagues, volunteers, partners, and customers, and we take a stand against unsafe behaviour.
Our South England Forest District team is made up of around 160 people, containing a diverse range of roles - from wildlife rangers and ecologists to marketing professionals, we all contribute towards the management of 46,000 hectares (ha) of public forest estate and national parks that stretch from Sussex to Dorset, and from Berkshire to the Isle of Wight.
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest is jointly owned and managed by Dorset Council and Forestry England, working closely with several onsite concessions. The Park has previously won Gold for Large Visitor Attraction in the Southwest Tourism Excellence Awards and is one of two popular visitor centres in the South District for Forestry England.
Moors Valley is one of the most visited attractions in the south with more than 900,000 visitors annually enjoying its lakeside walks and bike rides, innovative forest play structures, Tree Top Trail, Steam Railway, Go Ape, Segways, Nets Adventure and Golf Course. Prized as much by the local community as visiting tourists the park also offers stimulating play facilities, nationally recognised green exercise initiatives, locally sourced resta���urant food and an extensive year-round events programme.
As our visitor numbers and demographic continue to grow, Forestry England are committed to building on our events programme and continuing to be at the forefront of popular visitor attractions in the south. We are looking for an engaging individual to join the team to lead on new and existing projects which allow our customers to get the very best experience.
Job description
The post holder will work as part of the district�s recreation and public affairs team to support and coordinate recreation development and delivery at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest.
They will be working closely with colleagues, both in and outside their immediate team, and through using their own initiative manage a safe, engaging and welcoming visitor experience, and supervising contractors where applicable.
This role will play an active role in managing, promoting, and developing recreation facilities and opportunities on site, whilst supervising staff and volunteers and maintaining excellent relations with our on-site partners and concessionaires.
Key work areas
Be adventurous
5. Build on the current Moors Valley events programme working with onsite partners and concessions to develop a programme of events that contributes to income generation and attracts new audiences.
6. Support on site, district and wider Forestry England staff in developing the site as a venue for larger events Lights trails, and act as a key contact during event periods.
7. Review events and permission applications to increase the recreational offer.
8. Supervise and liaise with current permission holders.
Look out and look after
9. Carry out facility and trail inspections and ensure defects are properly recorded and contribute to the site workplans.
10. Ensure personal safety by using Peoplesafe (lone working) and by carrying out PPE and safety checks, in compliance with policy guidance.
11. Input incidents into the Airsweb system, collating all relevant information.
12. Use and review risk assessments to ensure safe working practises and safe provision of facilities.
Do it together
13. Engage in supervising volunteers for conservation, maintenance and surveys. Ensure that it is a safe, positive experience in line with Forestry England volunteering policies. Work with Dorset Council staff and Forestry England staff to offer an exciting programme of volunteering throughout the year and look for opportunities to increase this offer.
14. Oversee contracts and contractors effectively including the procurement of new goods and services when required.
15. Act as supervisor to the Assistant Ranger and Shadow Ranger. May also be asked to supervise or support other staff or agency staff.
16. Oversee the site staffing rota to ensure staff cover at all times, particularly for events outside of core hours.
17. Build and maintain good relationships with on-site partners and third-party businesses.
18. Promote the site and activities in conjunction with the marketing and communications team.
19. Take an active role scheduling and responding to social media, email, and written communications from visitors. Work alongside marketing manager to create content around events and developments on site for local newsletters and our own social media channels.
Think beyond a lifetime
20. Assist with the planning and delivery of business plan objectives within the allotted financial year, including visitor journey, play and signage.
21. Develop new and alternative ways of engaging with visitors to ensure there are different opportunities for people to hear about and get involved in our work, particularly those hard-to-reach audiences who may not use the typical or traditional ways of engaging.
22. Engage with Moors Valley and district initiatives, such as the recreation master planning or recreation operational improvement programme.
The key work areas detailed are the typical duties expected of the role but are not an exhaustive list. The post holder may be reasonably requested to undertake other duties by their manager.
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Person specification
Essential Experience
23. You should understand the responsibilities of an organisation in providing recreational opportunities and of how to apply health and safety legislation, including the carrying out of risk assessments.
24. You should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the management of events, volunteer programmes and/or recreational facilities within areas of high conservation value and the ability to deliver community engagement.
25. An understanding of the role that effective communications has to play in conveying key messages about our work to a variety of audiences. Basic knowledge and experience of using social media and its importance in marketing events, products, and attractions.
26. IT competency particularly in the use of Microsoft applications, including the use of Microsoft Teams, Outlook and Sharepoint.
Desirable Experience
27. Experience of delivering excellent and successful events for visitors.
28. Experience in managing stakeholders and building relationships.
29. Experience dealing with complaints and conflict.
30. Experience using scheduling tools in social media.
31. Experience using Canva or other design tools for posters and marketing materials.
At interview we will assess you against these behaviours:
Seeing the Bigger Picture
32. �Understand what your responsibilities are and how these contribute to the priorities of your team.
33. Consider the varied impact your work could have on individuals with different needs and from other backgrounds.
34. Gather information from both inside and outside of the organisation to inform your area of work.
Changing and Improving
35. Review ways of working and suggest improvements, including how to make full use of new digital technologies.
36. Learn new procedures and help colleagues to do the same.
37. Query any issues that arise from changes in a suitable way.
38. Respond in an effective and appropriate manner when emergencies arise
Communicating and Influencing
39. Put forward your views in a clear, constructive and considerate manner.
40. Use an appropriate method of communication for each person such as an email, telephone call or face-to-face, taking into consideration their individual needs.
41. Use plain and simple language, being careful to check written work for errors.
42. Consider the impact of language used on different groups of stakeholders.
43. Remain honest and truthful when explaining opinions.
44. Listen and ask questions to ensure your understanding.
Working Together
45. Proactively contribute to the work of the whole team and remain open to taking on new and different roles.
46. Get to know your colleagues and build supportive relationships.
47. Listen to alternative perspectives and needs, responding sensitively and checking understanding where necessary.
48. Ask for help when needed and support others when the opportunity arises.
49. Be aware of the need to consider your own wellbeing and that of your colleagues.
50. Understand that bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable.
Managing a Quality Service
51. Gain a clear understanding of customers� needs and expectations.
52. Plan, organise and manage your own time to deliver a high quality service which gives taxpayers a good return for their money.
53. Act to prevent problems by identifying issues, reporting them and providing solutions.
54. Keep customers and all colleagues up to date with progress.
55. Show customers where to access relevant information and support that will help them to use services more effectively.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
56. Seeing the Big Picture
57. Changing and Improving
58. Communicating and Influencing
59. Working Together
60. Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
61. Presentation
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �27,941, Forestry Commission contributes �7,544 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Here at Forestry England we offer:
� Flexible working to support a healthy work/life balance.�
� 25 days holiday pa with an extra day�s holiday entitlement each year over the first 5 years up to a maximum of 30 days per year, plus bank holidays and extra days leave. (all pro-rata)�
� 3 days paid volunteering leave every year (once you have passed probation).�(pro-rata)
� Access to technical and personal development training and qualifications that are tailored to your role.�
� 5 days dedicated to your self-driven development each year.�(pro-rata)
� Extensive opportunities for further learning through Civil Service Learning.�
� Reimbursement of any professional membership fees.�
� Employee benefits that include (but are not limited to) the Cycle to Work scheme, free high-street and online discounts and offers through �STaR�, and the opportunity to join the Civil Services Sports Council.�
� The brilliant Civil Service Pensions scheme.�
� Access to our dedicated Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that gives free, confidential and independent support - whether it is personal or work-related.�
� Free eyesight tests and �100 voucher for glasses for visual display usage.�
� Pay advances of up to �5,000 for computers, sports equipment, or training costs.�
� Free parking at all Forestry Commission sites (including Moors Valley Country Park and Alice Holt Forest) and free entry into our National Arboretum in Westonbirt.�
� Up to 15% discount at Forest Live Events, Forest Holidays cabins, and Go Ape outdoor activity centres.�
� Numerous retail discounts including 10% off at Forestry Commission shops and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.