We are Forestry England. We are the countrys largest land manager, caring for the nations forests for people, nature and the economy. The foundation of our organisation is our world-class sustainable management of the nations forests.

Our South England Forest District team is made up of around 160 people. Our team contains a diverse range of roles - from wildlife rangers to civil engineers, and ecologists to marketing professionals, we all contribute towards the management of some 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.

Much of this forest is of high national importance for nature conservation and wildlife, and of international importance for biodiversity. South England Forest District is therefore responsible for land that includes Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Ramsar sites, Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB) and sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

As an Active Forests Coordinator, you will have the unique opportunity to curate a diverse programme of physical activity, health, and wellbeing experiences on site.  As part of the innovative Active Forests programme, your role will focus on creating and facilitating engaging and enriching  activities for both new and returning visitors. Together, we aim to enhance the wellbeing of our visitors through promoting physical activity and fostering meaningful connections to nature. 

   Develop and implement engaging physical activity, health, and wellbeing experiences for visitors and communities.
   Foster meaningful connections between individuals and nature through innovative programming.
   Collaborate with a passionate team to enhance the overall wellbeing of our visitor.
   Prepare to make a lasting impact in our vibrant forest environment! 

Here's a snapshot of your responsibilities:  

Delivery: You will spearhead the sites sustainable, customer-focused physical activity and wellbeing programmes which bolster Forestry England's financial, social, and environmental goals, fostering a thriving community and preserving our forests for future generations.

Monitoring and evaluation: You will be responsible for monitoring and evaluation, ensuring the effective implementation of our programme framework. This involves collecting valuable data through innovative techniques, leveraging social media platforms, to continually enhance and refine the Active Forests Programme's activities.

Marketing: You will play a pivotal role ensuring activities are marketed to effectively engage and attract the intended target audience, thereby maximising the impact of our activities.

Manage Stakeholder Relationships: Build strong relationships with external partners, tenants, and concession operators. Collaborate with local agencies, such as the Active Partnership, and local physical activity, wellbeing providers and networks.

Represent Forestry England: Participate in stakeholder meetings, events, and volunteer programmes to showcase the great work of Forestry England and foster community engagement.

Ensure Health and Safety: Coordinate emergency procedures, provide first aid assistance, complete accident and incident reports, and adhere to health and safety guidelines.

Promote Responsible Behaviour: Deliver appropriate messages about responsible visitor behaviour and professionally manage and resolve potential conflicts.

As a Recreation team member, you'll support the team with:
   Creating exceptional visitor and community experiences.
   Maintaining and enhancing recreational facilities.
   Coordinate engaging community activities.
   Support volunteering opportunities to grow and sustain the Active Forests offer within the nations forests.

In addition to these key responsibilities, you may be asked to perform other tasks, as reasonably requested by your line manager.

Essential Professional and Technical experience

• Working in a public facing role delivering high quality customer service requiring excellent verbal and written communication skills both in person and via a variety of digital platforms. 
• Practical experience of planning and coordinating public engagement activities.  
• Excellent team working skills and the ability to work with dispersed team members.
• Practical understanding of Health & Safety best practices and a commitment to a positive health and safety culture in an outdoor environment.  
• Competent IT user, proficient in MS Office applications.

Desirable Professional and Technical experience

• Experience working with various social media platforms. 
• Experience of project and contract management.  
• Experience in working with volunteers.
• First Aid qualification.
• HND or equivalent in land or recreation management, tourism, leisure or similar.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

• 25 days holiday a year, with an extra days holiday entitlement each year over the first 5 years up to a maximum of 30 days per year, plus bank holidays and 2.5 extra days leave. (all pro-rata).
• 3 days paid volunteering leave every year (once you have passed probation).
• STaR is our employee benefits scheme offering discounts on everyday supermarket shopping, as well as other things such as hotel stays clothes, mobile phones, other electrical items, medical and car insurance, holidays, gym discounts, household bills, Headspace wellbeing app.
• Free parking at Forestry England sites and free entry to our National Arboretums at Westonbirt and Bedgebury.
• A commitment to lifelong learning through career development. Forestry England will support your career development in a variety of ways, including continual professional development, support for individual learning plans and sponsored membership of professional bodies.

Job contact :

• Name : Emma Ward
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]