Parks Development Advisor

Staffline Recruitment Ireland

Temporary

Public Sector and Government

Antrim, County Antrim

£33945 - £35745 per annum

Ref: CT0410_1728057356

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Job description

JOB TITLE: Parks Development Advisor

SALARY: SO1 (SCP 25-27) £33,945 - £35,745 subject to Job Evaluation Review in approx. one year

DEPARTMENT: Parks RESPONSIBLE TO: Parks Development Officer

RESPONSIBLE FOR: N/A

LOCATION: Antrim Civic Centre, but may be required to work at any Council site.

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough has a wide range of popular parks, allotments, play parks and other outdoor facilities. This post will play a key role in the future of Parks and Open Spaces across the Borough. You will deliver and provide support, technical advice and guidance on a range of activities and initiatives, with the overarching aim being to improve our Parks and Open Spaces.

You will work with community groups, organisations, elected members, residents and colleagues in order to strengthen the role that Parks and Open Spaces play in our communities.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

To work closely with the Parks Development Officer to develop strategic partnerships involving relevant government departments, the community and voluntary sector, educational organisations, charities, businesses, residents etc.
To encourage the use of Council's Parks and Open Spaces through planning promotion and activation programmes.
To assist with the delivery of the Council's biodiversity statutory obligations and the Local Biodiversity Action Plan, to co-ordinate, develop, monitor and plan in conjunction with Parks Managers and Head of Parks Operations.
To provide advice on environmental issues with respect to management plans, design and landscaping, facilitating management agreements and relevant documents.
To coordinate, promote and develop a range of Parks projects/community initiatives, ensuring budgetary control, including the annual Best Kept Garden competition.
To develop and support community and business groups with an interest in Parks or Town Centre improvements by providing training, networking, support with development plans, funding applications and events.
To support Parks Managers in the development and implementation of Management Plans by liaising with local community/business groups.
To assist the Head of Parks Operations in the delivery of capital projects including production of business cases, funding applications, project management and reports.
To identify and pursue internal and external sources of relevant funding to assist with the development of associated projects.
To coordinate Council's involvement in various competitions and accreditation's relating to Parks and Open Spaces such as Ulster/Britain in Bloom, Northern Ireland Amenity Council Best Kept Awards, Green Flag Awards etc.
To work with the Park Development Officer, on a range of projects and schemes, aiming to improve and develop our outdoor spaces in line with Council priorities.
To assist with the processing of all public right of way issues throughout the Borough and to advise Council with reference to the exercise of its duties and powers under the Access to the Countryside (NI) Order 1983.
To liaise closely with Council's Marketing and Customer Services team to ensure that all initiatives are effectively promoted.
To prepare reports and proposals for the Head of Service for the Parks and Open Spaces Sub Group, Council and Committee meetings as required.
To assist the Head of Parks Operations in the coordination and development of the Environmental Management System (ISO14001).
Understanding of sustainable practices and their application in parks and open space management.
To be available from time to time to carry out duties outside of normal office hours and in addition to basic contracted hours. Such additional hours will be remunerated in line with Council's approved policies at the time.

The principal responsibilities listed above are an indicator of the main aspects of the role as opposed to representing a definite list.

General Responsabilities

Demonstrate a team approach to achieving the objectives of the Section through full flexibility in relation to tasks undertaken.
Provide a high level of internal and external customer service including taking ownership of customer queries and complaints and following issues through to completion.
Continuously develop personal knowledge and skills to enhance internal and external customer service.
Comply with, and ensure that other staff comply with, Council's policies and procedures including those relating to health, safety, well-being and safeguarding.
Promote equality and diversity across all service areas through clear leadership, effective policy implementation and demonstrating appropriate behaviours in line with Council values.
Carry out any other relevant duties which may be assigned including working in other sections of the Department and Council.
To be available to work flexibly in other services during emergencies.

Employee Specification

Qualifications

Hold a relevant degree e.g. Horticulture, Business, Environmental Management

Consideration may be given to applicants who do not hold a degree qualification but who can demonstrate a minimum of 2 years' relevant experience as detailed below.

Experience

Have a minimum of 1 years' relevant work experience in Development Officer role to include at least 2 out of the following:Development of Business Cases, Event Management, Community Engagement, Securing external funding, Providing advice and support to key stakeholders.

Key Skills & Abilities

Ability to establish effective working relationships.
Strong Communication Skills
Ability work in a political environment
Excellent administrative and organisational skills
Excellent time management skills and ability to meet deadlines
Ability to work on own initiative
Strong project management skills
Competent in the use of Microsoft Office and Windows Applications

Special Knowledge

Knowledge and understanding of Biodiversity.
Knowledge of relevant legislation and issues associated with the service.

Other

Full current driving licence or, if a disability prevents driving, access to a suitable form of transport to enable the duties of the post to be carried out in full.

Core Competencies

Customer Focus(Essential)

Establishes the needs of customers and strives to ensure these are met
Builds partnerships for mutual benefit
Instils high customer service in others and drives team to think of customer impact
Challenges poor customer service or lack of awareness in others
Handles complaints positively - listens to the customer's concerns without defensiveness or self-justification, shows concern, takes steps to remedy and follow

Service Excellence

Seeks to continually improve services and processes that impact on customers
Focuses on the achievement of objectives and plans ahead to ensure goals are achieved in terms of excellence in service delivery
Seeks out and uses customer feedback to ensure customer needs are met and exceeded
Instils service excellence in others and drives team to improve service

Teamwork

Establishes effective working relationships with people at all levels through communication, consultation and interpersonal skills
Demonstrates ability to quickly resolve conflict
Works collaboratively with other teams and agencies both internal and external to the Council
Adapts style and approach to achieve effective outcomes

Communicating with Impact

Demonstrates persuasive communication skills and confidence in conveying information internally and externally
Responds and behaves positively and demonstrates resilience in communication
Demonstrates effective communication skills, both orally and in writing
Actively listens and uses a variety of methods to convey messages clearly and succinctly

Collaborating in a Political Environment

Develops and manages effective networks by establishing common ground
(Managers) Demonstrates an understanding of political factors at Council, regional, national and where appropriate, international level in developing strategies
Understands which issues are likely to be sensitive and the background political interests and agenda

Leadership

Personally contributes to the Council's vision and goals
Displays drive, determination and perseverance in achieving high quality results
Develops a positive working environment, motivates and builds effective teams which achieve results whilst encouraging and supporting individuals
Positively influences people and events

Problem Solving & Decision Making