The Role

Do you enjoy working in a team? Do you have experience of managing grounds maintenance contracts? Are you passionate about parks?   

If so…

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Parks Officer to join our Environment and Community Services at the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. You will be key in ensuring that our diverse range of parks and open spaces remain safe, welcoming and inclusive for all.

Our goals and vision

The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames is regarded as one greenest London Borough’s and has one of the largest green space estates in the country. 

As previous winners of prestigious competitions such as Britain and Bloom and the Communities in Bloom International Challenge, the Parks Team at the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames are always striving to ensure that our parks and opens spaces remain safe, welcoming and inclusive for all to enjoy.

As the Parks Officer, you will work in the within the Parks team to ensure effective delivery of service, by carrying out site specific contract monitoring, assisting in the monitoring of expenditure in accordance with set budgets and providing an excellent customer service to all of our stakeholders, residents and visitors.  

About the team

The successful candidate will be joining a dynamic, ambitious and experienced Parks Team that actively engages with stakeholders and residents, to identify and deliver improvement projects across our diverse parks and open spaces estate.

The Parks Team is very supportive and works closely with service related contractors, community groups and volunteer groups, to identify necessary improvements and ensure a consistent delivery of service across all of our parks and open spaces.  

The Civic Centre is based in the heart of Twickenham and the role will involve a mixture of both office and remote working.  

About the role

As Parks Officer, you will be an organised and motivated individual who has a passion for parks. You will assist in the daily performance monitoring of all parks related contracts and ensure continuous improvement by working closely with contractors to developing work programmes which support the relevant contract specifications.

You will assist the Parks Team in ensuring that all parks related contractors remain compliant with all relevant health & safety requirements.

You will also support the Parks Team in delivering various improvement projects. This will include the preparation of documentation and communication for the creation of consultations, posters and onsite information.

You will use your skills, knowledge and experience to build and maintain good working relationships with our stakeholders, contractors and residents.

To be shortlisted for interview your CV and support statement will show:

• You have knowledge of and are up to date with developments and trends in Local Government and the grounds maintenance industry
• Proven experience of contract performance monitoring in a ground’s maintenance setting
• Experience of successfully delivering a high standard of projects to multiple, competing deadlines
• Experience of dealing with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, community groups, residents and central government offices to improve service outcomes and provision
• Experience of managing budgets and using electronic finance systems

Benefits

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working including, working from home, compressed or part-time hours, term time only, job shares and other arrangements. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

We also offer a generous holiday allowance of 39 paid days (pro rata) including bank holidays and a wide range of learning and development opportunities. In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts with many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date:  19th January 2022 

Shortlisting Date: W/C 24th January 2022

Interview Date: W/C 31st January  2022

Useful Information:

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Equality Statement

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils