Recreation and Sport Development Officer

Transcription

1 Recreation and Sport Development Officer Part time (22.2 hours per week) Fixed term contract 18 months Background information Purpose and role of the post Person Specification Terms and conditions How to apply

2 Background information December 2014 The National Forest spans 200 square miles of the Midlands near the cities of Leicester, Derby, Nottingham and Birmingham. It is one of the country s most highly respected forestry and sustainable development projects. Since the early 1990s woodland cover has more than trebled from 6% to nearly 20%. The forest has also developed as a major new visitor attraction and location for outdoor recreation. This includes networks of Forest trails and cycleways, including the new, 75 mile, National Forest Way which opened in May The National Forest Company (NFC) leads this exceptional project. stablished by Government in 1995, the NFC is a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department of nvironment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It has a small and effective team of 19 staff, with offices at Moira, near Ashby de la Zouch. In June 2014 a new 10 year strategy for the forest was published. This sets out an exciting decade, making the most of the asset and securing it for the future. It is endorsed by Defra and follows a very positive review (in 2013) of the need for NFC leadership to continue to take the Forest forward. This national support is reflected in local appreciation of the forest and strong participation by residents and community groups. NFC is currently leading on a bid to HLF for the Heart of the Forest and this post will link with that work, as well as wider funding bids over coming years. We now have a new opportunity for a highly skilled, outgoing individual to develop the recreational access and sports potential of the Forest. This post is initially offered on a parttime basis (three days per week) for a 18 month period. Before the end of the contract the post will be reviewed to assess whether the contract period will be extended further and/or the hours changed. Purpose and role of the post The post is responsible for developing recreational access and sports potential across The National Forest and promoting the forest s assets to local communities and visitors, including new audiences. This will involve managing, developing and promoting the NFC s network of recreational walking trails, including the National Forest Way and other promoted walks. It also covers a sport and recreation development role. This will involve developing the potential for a cross-forest Sports Lottery bid with partner organisations, to increase and broaden sports participation; and developing opportunities for new recreational trails. Promotion of the forest s recreation and sports assets will link strongly into our tourism work, including developing new visitor itineraries. Reporting lines The post forms part of the Operations Directorate which delivers the forestry, recreation, landscape, biodiversity, tourism, heritage, green infrastructure, community/educational involvement and research and monitoring activities of the forest s development.

3 The post reports to the Head of Biodiversity, Landscape and Recreation. The postholder will expect to also work closely with the forestry, tourism, communications and marketing sections of the NFC team. Line management responsibilities No staff management responsibilities, but there will be responsibility for managing volunteer rangers and contractors undertaking trail management and maintenance works. Budget responsibilities The Head of Biodiversity, Landscape and Recreation has overall responsibility for NFC s recreation and access budgets. The postholder will be able to call on funds to take forward works he/she is involved in. Key responsibilities National Forest Way (40 50% of time) Produce a Management Plan to guide the future management and promotion of the National Forest Way (NFW). Coordinate quality control and maintenance of the route, including waymarking, signage and vegetation management, working with Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire Rights of Way teams and local volunteers. stablish and coordinate a volunteer ranger service to warden and support management/maintenance of the route. Work with NFC colleagues and partner organisations to develop and implement a Communications Plan to promote the NFW. Develop visitor information to promote the route, including working with NFC colleagues to produce information leaflets and visitor itineraries and support the production of an official guide book. Liaise with local communities, visitors and partner organisations to manage feedback on the route and ensure a high quality visitor experience. Identify and reach new audiences to broaden the range and type of visitors using the NFW and other promoted walks and trails. Sport and recreation development (50 60% of time) Lead the NFC s work with partner organisations to support the development of a Sports Lottery bid, focusing on developing the Forest as a venue for sporting events and broadening community participation in sport. Work with local ramblers, walks volunteers and other stakeholders to review the NFC s 16 existing promoted walks enabling the updating of routes where needed, installing new waymarking and updating visitor information (e.g. NFC website, trail leaflets). Support the development of new recreational trails for cyclists, horse riders, walkers and allabilities users.

4 Undertake an audit of visitor signage and interpretation panels at key forest sites and develop a programme for maintenance and replacement, as required. As part of this, give consideration to the opportunities for using new technologies. To support any opportunities for new maps and publications by third parties. Person specification ssential / Desirable How measured: Application (A), Interview (I) Qualifications An environmental/land-based degree or HND D A xperience At least three years relevant experience A xperience of developing and promoting trails, recreation D and/or sport projects Partnership working experience with public, private and voluntary organisations and community groups Capacity to engage and lead volunteers in practical projects Knowledge Knowledge of how to develop and manage recreational trails Knowledge of Sports Lottery and/or other relevant funding D Understanding of the various means for promoting recreation and sports assets to visitors and residents Awareness and understanding of The National Forest D AI Skills Strong leadership skills/potential in a complex partner environment High quality partnership working skills with organisations, landowners, community groups and volunteers Good verbal and written communication skills Strong project management skills, with capacity to deliver a varied work programme, including appropriate use of IT A strong team member, able to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team Behaviours An energy giver I Self motivated I Creative thinker I Collaborative I Solution focused I Business and income-focused D I

5 The appointment This is a part time post with a fixed term of 18 months. The postholder will work 22.2 hours per week (ie 60% of a full 37 hour week) with flexibility as to the days/hours to be worked. The appointment will be subject to the satisfactory completion of a probationary period of at least three months. Salary The post is at the HO level within the grading structure. The full time salary range for this is currently 27,400 to 31,680 per year. The pro rata salary range will therefore be 16,440 to 19,008 per year. Future pay rises will be subject to an annual review of salary levels which takes place on 1 July. Terms and conditions Benefits include a public sector pension scheme. A contribution to relocation expenses may be payable. You should be a British or Commonwealth citizen (as defined in the British Nationality Act 1981), a national of a state within a uropean conomic Area or a British protected person. There must be no employment restriction, nor any time limit on your permitted stay in the United Kingdom Working hours The contracted hours are 22.2 hours per week (excluding lunch breaks). The normal office hours are 9.00 to 5.30 Monday to Thursday and 9.00 to 5.00 on Friday with an hour for lunch. However, there is some scope for flexibility. Annual leave Full time employees are entitled to 30 days paid leave, together with the usual Bank Holidays, plus a further 2.5 days privilege leave. Pro rata, this would equate to 18 days annual leave plus 1.5 days privilege leave. Application and selection The closing date for applications is midday on 19 January All applicants should complete an application form which should be sent to: Angela Beech Head of Corporate Services National Forest Company Bath Yard Moira, Swadlincote Derbyshire, D12 6BA nvelopes should be marked Confidential NFC R&SO 01/15.

6 You may your application to Please put in the subject header Confidential NFC R&SO 01/15. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview which are to be at the NFC s offices on Friday 30 January We will seek references for the candidate considered most suitable for appointment. Referees will not be approached until the job offer has been made. qual opportunities The NFC is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, age, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.