Brighton & Hove City Council Hiring for Changing Chalk Education Ranger Job at United Kingdom Full Time

Job introduction

Have you an enthusiastic about addressing the biodiversity and climate emergencies?

Do you have a comprehensive understanding of the issues around biodiversity loss?

Are you successful in building strong working relationships with community and stakeholder groups?

Are you able to work independently and plan your own work?

Have you effective communication and negotiation skills?

If so, then this could be the job for you. Brighton & Hove City Council is seeking to appoint an experienced and dynamic individual to develop and lead an education and engagement programme built around “Wilding Waterhall”, returning a golf course to nature

The post holder will be responsible for initiating, planning, co-ordinating and implementing an education and engagement programme. The post holder will promote the active participation of the public, working closely with schools, residents, community groups, charities, sponsors and third party organisations.

About the role

Brighton & Hove Council have decided to rewild a redundant golf course.

Brighton & Hove Council has declared a biodiversity and climate emergency. Wilding Waterhall is a project that seeks to return a redundant golf course to nature and is one of the council’s key means of addressing these emergencies.

BHCC is seeking to employ an experienced, full-time Officer to lead on an ambitious programme and to galvanize the strong public support the proposal has received. The role is critical in increasing biodiversity within the city. Working in collaboration with schools, community groups, stakeholders and sponsors, the post holder will be playing a key role disseminating the importance of biodiversity.

Duties of the role will include:

• Work with the National Heritage Lottery Fund to devise an engagement plan to maximize on the interest in re-wilding to increase public understanding and support for the project
• Work with the Waterhall Ranger who will lead on the practical work on the site
• Work alongside the Brighton and Hove Environmental Education Project to engage schools in the project
• Procuring, manage and monitoring goods and services provided by consultants, contractors and suppliers using the council’s approved processes to achieve quality, efficiency and best value.
• Plan and implement a series of “BBanks” around the city to “take the downs to town”, building on the work done as part of the Nature Improvement Area initiative
• As a minimum, candidates are required to hold a NVQ level 2 or above or equivalent in land management or environment management based discipline or significant relevant experience e.g. chalk downland management. A full UK driving licence, and have an expert knowledge of Biodiversity and experience in delivering an education program in a conservation setting

Contracted working hours are 37 per week, rostered over Monday to Sunday.

We are seeking a thoroughly experienced, appropriately qualified and enthusiastic professional who can demonstrate the following qualities:

• NVQ level 2 or above or equivalent in land management or environment management based discipline or significant relevant experience e.g. chalk downland management.
• A demonstrable track record of working in conservation education that has involved a significant biodiversity element
• Is familiar with rewilding and the differing ways in which it is defined
• An up-to-date and detailed knowledge of the current conservation industry policy and practice
• Experience of producing professional documents.
• The ability to involve and motivate a wide range of individuals and groups
• Effective communication and negotiation skills when dealing with all sectors of the community and external organisations, e.g. charities.

Contract: permanent, full-time.

Fixed Term for 42 months

Interview date: week commencing Monday, 21st February 2022

For an informal discussion, please contact David Larkin, Conservation Manager, at [email protected] or on 07774 646761

As part of your application, you will need to complete your education and work history and upload a supporting statement. Your supporting statement is the most important part of your application as it will be used in the shortlisting process to assess whether you meet the essential requirements for the role that are set out in the person specification and to decide whether you should be offered an interview. Before you start your application, please read our guidance here (Supporting statement guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk)) as this gives important advice which will increase your chance of success in the shortlisting process.

Additional information

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is less than 37 hours or term-time only.

Work Permits: We may be able to obtain a Work Permit for this post but this is subject to meeting the requirements of the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Points-based Immigration System. Please see Gov.uk for more information on the Skilled Worker Visa.

Company information

We welcome applications from all sections of the community but particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, LGB, female or trans as these groups are currently under-represented in our Directorate workforce.