Assistant Seasonal Ranger

Summary

Forestry England 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. 

South Forest District manages 46,000ha of land across West Sussex, Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset and South Wiltshire. The District is at the hub of some of the most highly populated parts of the country and the nation’s forests here deliver a significant range of public benefits from a very diverse range of places and activities. Over 60% of our land is designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and over 70% of our land lies within protected landscapes – National Parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We therefore manage some nationally-prized places which are a unique blend of forest and rare open habitats. We host over 20 million day visits to our forests every year and local communities have a strong connection with our forests; delivering multi-purpose objectives across these heavily designated and heavily used landscapes has it challenges but we have an inspired team who take great satisfaction in delivering high quality land management and memorable experiences for our visitors. 

Purpose 

We are looking for strong communicators with a passion for people and wildlife to provide support to our New Forest Ranger team across the busy peak season. A confident, self-motivated individual, you will play an important role in interacting and engaging with the public about some of the most important landscapes in the country, helping to deliver campaigns, working with partners and volunteers. You will have the ability to make a real difference to visitors to the New Forest, providing information and advice to help them get the best out of their visit and promoting our role in caring and protecting the forests, heathland and wildlife that live here; helping to enthuse people about all the things that make the New Forest special and to understand the role they can play in safeguarding this unique place. 

This role is an annualised hours contract. You will be expected to work when there is a higher demand for our Recreation facilities in the New Forest and as a result increased visitor pressure. In particular this will be weekends, public and school holidays. You will be paid the same amount each month for your ‘average hours’ but will work more during these peak times.

Job description

• Work out of our core Recreation sites within the New Forest to help manage visitor impact and educate visitors. 

• Staff the New Forest Reptile Centre and the Bolderwood Information Unit on a rotational basis. 

• Patrol Crown Lands to engage with the public and deliver appropriate messages around responsible visitor behaviour; engaging and educating people about the sensitivities of the SSSI landscape. 

• Support the permanent Recreation Rangers, existing Seasonal Rangers and New Forest Keepers to manage visitor impacts across the Forest including verge parking, disturbance to wildlife and BBQs. 

• Deliver a strong customer service and visitor welcome, whilst promoting the management role Forestry England undertakes as land managers. 

• Work with the Rangers & Recreation team to maintain and upkeep key facilities and infrastructure (car parks, cycle routes, toilet blocks, picnic areas etc.) through our established inspection regime. 

• Work with and support volunteers, facilitating public engagement duties and simple practical tasks such as den removal. 

• Work with Rangers and partner agencies to deliver a rounded approach to key campaigns such as the “Ground Nesting Bird” and “Keep Your Distance” campaigns. 

• With the support of the Recreation team and the Community Manager work with a wide variety of partners to deliver joint engagement events, patrols and campaigns. This will include the National Park Authority Ranger team, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and Hampshire Constabulary. 

• Working outdoors in all conditions. 

• Accident and incident reporting, adhering to internal and external policies and guidance. 

• Delivery of public engagement at community events and attendance to support the team delivering our key messages at the New Forest Show.

Responsibilities

Experience 

Essential 

• Experience in engaging with the public 

• Experience of sharing knowledge in a positive manner 

• Experience of dealing with conflict and managing visitor behaviour 

• Comfortable with lone working 

Desirable 

• Experience of working with volunteers 

• Knowledge and understanding of working in a protected landscape 

• Knowledge / experience of managing recreational facilities 

• Knowledge of New Forest recreation, e.g. cycle network 

Licenses 

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

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role. 

• An environment with flexible working options. 

• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity. 

• A Civil Service pension

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Application Process 

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, setting out your career history/qualifications. 

You will also be asked to provide a Statement of Suitability of no more than 750 words. Please demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the person specification. 

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

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

Interview 

At Interview you will also be assessed against the behaviours listed in the advert. You will also be assessed on Strengths. 

Application sift dates and interview dates to be confirmed (interviews will be face-to-face at Queen's House in Lyndhurst and will likely to be held week commencing 6th June, we do have the option of using Microsoft Teams if necessary but we would prefer to meet candidates in person where possible) 

Other Information 

This is a Fixed Term Appointment for 6 months with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee. 

This role is an annualised hour contract. You will be expected to work when there is a higher demand for our Recreation facilities in the New Forest and as a result increased visitor pressure. In particular this will be weekends, public and school holidays. You will be paid the same amount each month for your ‘average hours’ but will work more during these peak times. 

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. 

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. 

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. 

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

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 here 

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

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 circumstance 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 [email removed - click apply for more details] stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

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 [email removed - click apply for more details] 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 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.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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.

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.