About the job

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:

• 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.

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 resta­­­urant 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

• 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.
• Support on site, district and wider Forestry England staff in developing the site as a venue for larger events e.g. Lights trails, and act as a key contact during event periods.
• Review events and permission applications to increase the recreational offer.
• Supervise and liaise with current permission holders.

Look out and look after

• Carry out facility and trail inspections and ensure defects are properly recorded and contribute to the site workplans.
• Ensure personal safety by using Peoplesafe (lone working) and by carrying out PPE and safety checks, in compliance with policy guidance.
• Input incidents into the Airsweb system, collating all relevant information.
• Use and review risk assessments to ensure safe working practises and safe provision of facilities.

Do it together

• 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.
• Oversee contracts and contractors effectively including the procurement of new goods and services when required.
• Act as supervisor to the Assistant Ranger and Shadow Ranger. May also be asked to supervise or support other staff or agency staff.
• Oversee the site staffing rota to ensure staff cover at all times, particularly for events outside of core hours.
• Build and maintain good relationships with on-site partners and third-party businesses.
• Promote the site and activities in conjunction with the marketing and communications team.
• 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

• Assist with the planning and delivery of business plan objectives within the allotted financial year, including visitor journey, play and signage.
• 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.
• 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.

 

Person specification

Essential Experience

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• IT competency particularly in the use of Microsoft applications, including the use of Microsoft Teams, Outlook and Sharepoint.

Desirable Experience

• Experience of delivering excellent and successful events for visitors.
• Experience in managing stakeholders and building relationships.
• Experience dealing with complaints and conflict.
• Experience using scheduling tools in social media.
• 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

•  Understand what your responsibilities are and how these contribute to the priorities of your team.
• Consider the varied impact your work could have on individuals with different needs and from other backgrounds.
• Gather information from both inside and outside of the organisation to inform your area of work.

Changing and Improving

• Review ways of working and suggest improvements, including how to make full use of new digital technologies.
• Learn new procedures and help colleagues to do the same.
• Query any issues that arise from changes in a suitable way.
• Respond in an effective and appropriate manner when emergencies arise

Communicating and Influencing

• Put forward your views in a clear, constructive and considerate manner.
• 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.
• Use plain and simple language, being careful to check written work for errors.
• Consider the impact of language used on different groups of stakeholders.
• Remain honest and truthful when explaining opinions.
• Listen and ask questions to ensure your understanding.

Working Together

• Proactively contribute to the work of the whole team and remain open to taking on new and different roles.
• Get to know your colleagues and build supportive relationships.
• Listen to alternative perspectives and needs, responding sensitively and checking understanding where necessary.
• Ask for help when needed and support others when the opportunity arises.
• Be aware of the need to consider your own wellbeing and that of your colleagues.
• Understand that bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable.

Managing a Quality Service

• Gain a clear understanding of customers’ needs and expectations.
• Plan, organise and manage your own time to deliver a high quality service which gives taxpayers a good return for their money.
• Act to prevent problems by identifying issues, reporting them and providing solutions.
• Keep customers and all colleagues up to date with progress.
• Show customers where to access relevant information and support that will help them to use services more effectively.

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. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

This role is a 12 month fixed term appointment with the potential of extension or permanency but there is no guarantee

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and up to a 750 word Personal Statement as follows:

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

2. A Personal Statement (no longer than 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for the role, with reference to the criteria in the Person Specification.

Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using CV only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Failure to fully complete both sections (CV and Personal Statement) will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification. The panel will look for applications that demonstrate the best fit for the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the job description and responsibilities.

Candidates successful at sift will be invited to a face to face Interview. At interview candidates will be assess on the listed behaviours, technical skills (presentation) and your experience.

Interview

Sifting will take place in the week commencing 17th June 2024 , with interviews scheduled to take place in the week commencing 1st July 2024. Please note these dates are subject to change.

Further Information

This role is a 12 month fixed term appointment with the potential of extension or permanency but there is no guarantee. The working hours are 37 hours per week – working weekends and bank holidays on a 7-day rota. This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Forestry Commission from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, Forestry England is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.

Where a role has been identified as one which falls under the scope of the Public Sector English Language Requirements, within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English. Applicants will be assessed in the selection process in accordance with the requirements.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

Contact Government Recruitment Service via fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. 

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.