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 four values capture how we work:

• 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.
• Be adventurous - We approach challenges with creativity and adventure, embracing research and innovation to stay relevant.
• Do it together - We get our best results when we work with others, and we encourage diverse perspectives, so we make better decisions.
• 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.

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).

Additionally, Forestry England is at the forefront of connecting people with nature through public access and recreation, with over 360 million visits on Forestry England land every year.

We are looking for a Recreation Ranger to be based at Farnham covering the Chiddingfold Beat and the north of Micheldever Beat.

In this role, you will be helping to ensure the safety of Forestry England sites and their visitors, by carrying out regular inspections and monitoring of recreation facilities, both formal and informal.

You will help to promote safe and sustainable recreational practices through public engagement, information and education and assist the wider team to deliver on health and safety objectives.

You will be working with communities to develop positive stakeholder and community relationships, including developing volunteering opportunities and fielding public enquires.

Lone working, as part of a 7 day rostered week, which will include regular weekend and public holidays, will be required. There will be regular travel required as part of the role.

 Key Work areas

• Inspect and maintain recreation facilities and ensure that all health and safety requirements are completed in compliance with Forestry England guidance, policies and procedures
• Build and maintain positive relationships with local community groups and recreational users and provide information and guidance about key issues and Forestry England messages.
• Use your own initiative to deliver solutions to facility management problems and react swiftly to issues, engaging contractors where appropriate.
• Work with colleagues both inside and outside of your immediate team to deliver on key site objectives and to ensure effective engagement with communities and stakeholders.
• Identify, grow and deliver volunteering opportunities across the Beat, in line with our district volunteer strategy.

Essential:

• Experience in a relevant discipline such as a visitor centre / countryside management, public access or outdoor recreation management.
• Evidence of strong communication (both written and verbal) and relationship building skills, including dealing with conflict and sensitive issues.
• Experience of applying relevant health and safety legislation to a recreation facility.
• Proven ability to manage competing demands and prioritise workloads.
• Competent IT user and proficiency in MS office programmes e.g. word, PowerPoint & Excel.

Desirable:

• Experience of planning for and working with volunteers and groups.
• Experience of managing contractors in the outdoors.
• Knowledge of basic maintenance skills and experience in using hand tools.

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together

Benefits

Here at Forestry England, we offer:

• Flexible working to support a healthy work/life balance.
• 25 days holiday pa 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).
• 5 extra days holiday per year, after 5 years service.
• 3 days paid volunteering leave every year (once you have passed probation).
• 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.
• 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.

Job contact :

• Name : Mike Radice
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]