Southampton City Council
Ranger
This is an exciting time for Southampton’s Parks and greenspaces with the establishment of the first city-wide Ranger Service. As a Ranger you will be part of a team responsible for leading the delivery of conservation management across a range of semi-natural greenspaces, including Southampton Common SSSI. You will be approachable and knowledgeable, and your work will encourage residents to make greater use of the Greenways for informal recreation. You will also work with Friends of groups to help communities reconnect with the city’s natural environment.
You will be responsible for:
- Undertaking practical habitat management and access work to conserve Southampton’s biodiversity and provide residents and visitors with improved access to semi-natural greenspaces.
- Undertaking regular site walks of semi-natural greenspaces to provide a first point of contact for visitors and identify works required and deal with any issues.
- Contributing to the development and implementation of biodiversity management plans for semi-natural greenspaces across the city.
- Helping to deliver actions from the newly adopted Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity strategies.
- Working with volunteers, student placements and ‘Friends of’ groups to deliver additional resources and create a sense of ownership amongst local communities.
- Working with other Natural Environment Team members to deliver a comprehensive service covering ecological advice and surveying, habitat and species management, informal recreation, and environmental education.
To be successful in the role you will hold a relevant countryside or
environment qualification to a minimum of a national qualification framework
level 2, or equivalent experience, plus relevant certificates and/or proofs of
technical competence.
You will also require excellent communication skills, both oral and written, and be a good team player with a positive attitude, able to work effectively with other staff, contractors and members of the public. You should have sound ecological knowledge, be competent in the use of appropriate hand tools and machinery and have experience of working with a range of volunteers and groups to enhance natural green spaces.
This is a 37 hour per week, permanent, full time contract which falls within Grade 6 of the Southampton City Council’s pay grades. This will equate to an annual salary of £26,609 – £28,770 plus weekend working enhancement pay.
Working for Southampton City Council will have its rewards, we are part of the Hampshire pension scheme, and the post will come with a minimum of 25 days annual leave (not including bank holidays) dependent upon your length of service in Local Government. There are lots of other employee benefits open to SCC employees, from childcare vouchers and discounted travel to money off at selected restaurants, shops, and salons.
You will be based at Holly Lodge Depot, on Southampton Common, which has excellent transport links to all of the surrounding area of Hampshire and beyond.
The Southampton Natural Environment Team covers all matters relating to the conservation of biodiversity within Southampton and provision of opportunities for people to enjoy the natural environment. This includes provision of ecological advice to other City Council Departments, including the Planning Department, delivery of the Natural Environment section of the Green City Plan, management of semi-natural greenspace, supporting Parks Friends of groups and running volunteer activities and co-ordinating projects to improve the accessibility of the Greenways.
If this challenge appeals to you, and you feel you have the necessary background, experience and skills to undertake this role, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Closing Date: 30/06/2024 Location: Southampton
For more information and to apply https://www.countryside-jobs.com/job/jun24/ranger-southampton-city-council-1006-4
recruitment@southampton.gov.uk