Countryside Ranger
Service: Facilities, Waste and Grounds Services
Grade scale: Grade 2 Level 3
Reports to: Ranger Team Leader
Purpose of the job
To work with people of South Lanarkshire towards the protection and enhancement of their natural heritage in line with the Council’s policies and objectives.
Key tasks and responsibilities
As directed within the framework of the Countryside and Greenspace work programme, develop and maintain working links with the other council services, community groups and partner agencies to ensure co-ordinated, targeted and cost effective approach to delivering Services objectives, in line with the aims of the Council.
As directed within the framework of the Countryside and Greenspace work programme, develop and deliver programme events, educational and interpretive activities and exhibitions and produce other supportive material, designed to further interest in and understanding of South Lanarkshire’s natural heritage across the whole community.
Work with South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Ltd staff to maintain high standards of service to visitors to the Council’s country park estates and, in partnership with communities and other agencies, seek to develop and maintain high standards of visitor service across other parts of South Lanarkshire’s countryside.
As operationally required, patrol and monitor paths, greenspaces and areas important to South Lanarkshire’s natural heritage and mediate between recreational use and other interests.
Work in partnership with Community groups, other Council Services, SNH and other bodies towards the protection and enhancement of South Lanarkshire’s natural heritage.
Person specification
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Criteria |
Essential |
Desirable |
|---|---|---|
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Education, qualification and training |
Educated to degree or HND level in an environmental subject At least one year’s work or proven voluntary experience in conservation, environmental education community development, or health development |
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|
Skills, knowledge, experience |
Excellent communication skills both verbal and written Comfortable using Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and Outlook, and able to produce standard documents, organise information, and communicate appropriately Ability to organise work and meet deadlines Ability to adapt effectively to changing priorities and workloads |
Knowledge and understanding of biodiversity policies, priorities and legislation in Scotland Knowledge and understanding of Outdoor Access policy and legislation in Scotland Willing and able to undertake and develop practical estate skills Able to manage and develop volunteer teams and work programmes |
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Personal qualities |
Personal commitment to improving local public services and continuous improvement Reliable and dependable with a positive and proactive approach to work Professional and courteous manner when dealing with colleagues and customers To work in a flexible, adaptable manner and to always act with discretion and tact |
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Other |
To demonstrate behaviours consistent with honesty and openness: treating people consistently, fairly and with respect Inclusive and supportive team player Ability to travel throughout South Lanarkshire |
Full UK Driving Licence |
Safer recruitment checks
As part of our approach to good practice and safer recruitment we carry out a number of pre-employment checks
- Asylum and Immigration right to work in the UK.
- Reference check: external candidates require 2 references, one of which must be from present or most recent employer; Internal candidates require 1 reference from current line manager.
- Candidate Disclosure Scotland check, where applicable.
Behaviour framework
The council’s behaviour framework is a set of core behaviours that defines how employees approach work to enable the delivery of key tasks for the role. The expected behaviours for this role are:
Efficient
- Punctual and conscientious in your approach to work.
- Use council resources efficiently, avoiding waste and unnecessary expense.
- Identify inefficiency in processes and communicate this to your manager.
- Meet deadlines and targets in your day-to-day work.
- Understand the impact of wasteful behaviours on the environment and you act to minimise this impact.
- Use of information technology to achieve best outcomes.
Flexible
- Willing to learn new tasks and accept new ways of working.
- Willing to be flexible in your approach to work to meet changing service delivery needs, deadlines and urgent priorities.
- Help team members when they have urgent deadlines and prioritise your work accordingly.
- Understand the need for change and are open to this across your working life.
Performing
- Is polite, professional and friendly to customers and apply customer care standards and attitudes at all times.
- Works safely to maintain the safety of yourself and other raising concerns about unsafe working practices.
- Meets standards of work required in your role in terms of quality and output.
- Uses initiative to solve problems and raise potential issues.
- Acknowledges when mistakes are made and learns from them.
- Seeks feedback on your performance to learn and improve.
Working with others
- Works alongside internal and external colleagues to meet common objectives.
- Has professional relationships with colleagues and is aware of dignity at work standards.
- Actively and respectfully listens to people in order to understand them and their views.
- Contributes appropriately in team and other meetings and discussions.
- Presents words and views clearly in a way that other people find meaningful.
- Respects diversity and promotes equality of opportunity when working with colleagues and members of the public.
Leading
- Role models the standards of behaviours expected of a South Lanarkshire Council employee.
- Displays and enables leadership through sharing knowledge and skills, seeking guidance and providing support to your colleagues, team and the wider community.
- Is aware of and adheres to professional codes of practice and the council’s code of conduct and understand how these impact on employment with the council and public perception of council employees.