Active Forests Coordinator
Job & Person Specification
Location: Based at the Thames Chase Forest Centre, Upminster, Essex, with frequent travel to Gravesend, Kent
Salary: £22,338 pro rata
Closing date: Sunday 8th February 2015
Background Information
The Forestry Commission manages 10 community woodlands within the ThamesChaseCommunityForest, which spans South West Essex, and Jeskyns near Gravesend in North Kent. Between them the 11 sites attract over half a million visits per year.
Further information can be found at or
Background to Active Forests
The programme
The social objective for the public forest estate in England is to provide recreational and other social benefits to people visiting the estate. The active forests programme will contribute to this objective by making it an easy choice for visitors to adopt and maintain a sporting habit for life, providing opportunities for improved health, well-being and social interaction.
Built on existing ‘brand values’ and the ‘spirit’ of our forest sites, the programme will be integrated with other recreational activities, providing customers with fun, inspirational and accessible activities, and offering clear pathways from first steps to podium places.
The provision of the best possible customer experience at all stages will be the fundamental principle that ensures the programme is sustainable, generating revenue through equipment hire and site admission, and new and repeat visitors to forest sites.
The pilot project
Sport England and Forestry Commission England are working in collaboration to deliver a 4 year pilot project to introduce a wide range of sporting activities across 8 pilot forest centre sites in England.
Working with new and existing partners each site will introduce various sports activities and delivery methods. Each sporting experience will have a clearly defined set of objectives, with effective monitoring and evaluation being crucial to demonstrate the impact and success of the activity. Every pilot site will take a leading role for the project, EG data gathering techniques; use of social media; direct delivery of some activities, marketing techniques
The AF coordinator positions have an essential role to play in developing the AF programme and demonstrating the long term viability of offering sports activities on the public forest estate.
Purpose of the Job
To coordinate and deliver a wide range of sport experiences across the Forestry Commission estate in the ThamesChaseCommunityForest and Jeskyns.
Key Work Areas
1. Taking the lead from the Active Forests (AF) delivery strategy and the site delivery plan, develop a programme of customer focused sporting experiences.
2. Tap into local experience & knowledge base by working with existing site teams.
3. Develop a range of internal and external partnerships to develop programme and provide sports activities.
4. Where appropriate, develop and directly deliver sports activities.
5. Taking the lead from the AF marketing & communications strategy, develop and deliver site marketing & communication activity.
6. In line with national & local guidance look for opportunities to identify and involve volunteers to support AF delivery.
7. Lead and coordinate collection of site participation and car park throughput data, feeding into national collation processes.
8. Support development of systems and processes for onsite data capture.
9. Taking the lead from AF programme manager lead production of performance reports.
10. Representing site interests participate in AF programme networking opportunities.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential:
Previous experience of developing relationshipsand working effectively with internal and external partners.
Previous experience of delivering a customer focused programme of activity in a recreational environment.
Desirable:
Track record of delivering package of customer activities with high levels of participation.
Professional and Technical Expertise
Essential:
A relevant degree in a recreational or sporting subject or significant relevant experience in this area of work.
Competent IT user with experience of MS office.
Desirable:
Wide interest & knowledge of sports activities.
A good understanding of health & safety management of events and activities.
Civil Service Core Competencies (Behaviours)
Changing and Improving
Understand and apply technology to achieve efficient and effective business and personal results.
Consider and suggest ideas for improvements, sharing this feedback with others in a constructive manner.
Conduct regular reviews of what and who is required to make a project/activity successful and make on-going improvements.
Put aside preconceptions and consider new ideas on their own merits.
Leading and Communicating
Display enthusiasm around goals and activities – adopting a positive approach when interacting with others.
Listen to, understand, respect and accept the value of different views, ideas and ways of working.
Express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing, and with sensitivity and respect for others.
Collaborating and Partnering
Demonstrate interest in others and develop a range of contacts outside your team to help get the job done.
Change ways of working to facilitate collaboration for the benefit of the programme.
Proactively seek information, resources and support from others outside your immediate team in order to help achieve results.
Readily identify opportunities to share knowledge, information and learning and make progress by working with colleagues.
Managing a Quality Service
Work with team to set priorities, create clear plans and manage all work to meet the needs of the customer and the business.
Ensure that levels of service are maintained – flag up risks or concerns including health and safety in order to meet customer requirements.
Identify common problems or weaknesses in policy or procedures that affect service and escalate these.
Delivering at Pace
Create regular reviews of what and who is required to make a project/activity successful and make ongoing improvements.
Remain positive and focused on achieving outcomes despite setbacks.
Check your and your programmes performance against outcomes, make suggestions for improvement or take corrective action when problems are identified.
Set and achieve challenging goals and monitor quality.
Essential information
Job details / The position is offered as a fixed term appointment of 51 weeks.The start date is anticipated to be Monday 9th March 2015; the end date is anticipated to be 29th February 2016.
The role will be contracted for 18.5 working hours per week. This equates to50% of a Full Time Equivalent based on 37 hours per week.
The salary is £22,338 pro rata.Pay Grade 6a.
25 days annual leave per annum pro rata.
Working Pattern / Annualised contract over a 7 day week with the expectation of a work pattern that includes some school holidays, bank holidays and regular weekends.
An average of 18.5 hours per week spread over 51 weeks, with a greater number of those working hours to be concentrated across the spring and summer period and a lesser number of hours required at other times of the year.
Salary payments will be averaged-out equally across the appointment period.
The work pattern is negotiable.
Does the role require a full UK current Driving Licence as a Genuine Occupational Requirement? / Yes
Will the post holder require a category of Drivers Licence that enables them to tow a trailer or drive a minibus (please specify)? / Desirable but not essential.
Please send a covering letter with a CV to Sunday 8th February 2015.
Interviews will be held in mid-February and the estimated start date is Monday 9th March 2015.
To discuss this role please call Yianni Andrews on 01708 642957.
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