Assistant Parks and Countryside Ranger

The Council are seeking a highly motivated Assistant Parks and Countryside Ranger who can assist the Ranger Team to deliver an agreed programme of practical, ecological, recreational, safety, and business-related works in order to contribute towards provision of high-quality management of the Council's green spaces. These spaces range from High Woods Country Park, formal parks such as Castle Park, open spaces and local nature reserves, historic protected sites such as Gosbecks Archaeological Park and Sites of Special Scientific Interest such as FerryMarsh in Wivenhoe. Duties of the role As an essential member of the Parks, Countryside and Open Spaces team, you will be at the forefront of day-to-day operations Assisting with the day-to-day practical site management and maintenance. You will undertake site patrols and basic environmental and ecological surveys and be responsible for safety inspections to ensure safe and well managed sites and ensure tools and equipment are well maintained. Colchester City Council has a wide range of services and facilities that can involve dealing with children or vulnerable adults. We treat our obligations for the safety of children and vulnerable adults seriously and expect our staff to be committed to the principles of our published policies and to adhere to the procedures contained within them. This role will also involve community engagement, and you will support the training, administration and supervision of volunteers and work placements. You will also assist with preparation of consents for works on protected sites and procurement of materials to undertake works.

• English and Maths to GCSE level 4 or equivalent
• Full clean driving licence
• Experience of basic practical skills in conservation, ecology, practical estates
management and/or countryside recreation/interpretation. Note this can be gained either through employment, voluntary work or during academic qualifications
• Trailor Towing experience (minimum BE on Licence)
• First Aid at Work qualification
Ideally you will also have:
• Certificate of competence in - brushcutter / strimmer operations; safe use of
pesticides: safe use of woodchipper
• OFQUAL recognised certification in use of chainsaw. Ideally level 2 felling up
to 380mm. Inc maintenance & crosscutting. (old CS 31/32)
• Lantra - Basic Tree Hazard Identification or equivalent
• Appropriate and proven knowledge of countryside management, or
conservation issues, Disability Confident About Disability Confident A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to .

The Council encourages all employees to maximise their potential. You will be entitled to join an attractive pension scheme and will receive a generous annual leave entitlement, including two extra company holidays during the Christmas period. Other benefits include:
• Flexible working
• Gym, travel and online retail discounts
• Excellent training, development and progression opportunities