Apprentice Manager

Role Purpose The Ecology Centre is a busy and successful community resource, delivering a high-quality programme of environmental education, events and volunteering as well as providing a venue for meetings and community activities. The postholder will also be responsible for leading on the Council’s biodiversity agenda, by overseeing the Biodiversity Action Plan, as well as the network of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) and by providing ecological advice to the Planning Department. Responsibilities To be responsible for the supervision of the Nature Conservation Officers and Nature Conservation Apprentice, including the allocation of tasks to individual members of staff To manage the Ecology Centre as an education and visitor centre to promote nature conservation and other forms of sustainable living. To ensure the centre’s opening times meets the needs of customers. To ensure effective day to day management of the Ecology Centre and to be responsible for the facilities management role to encompass bookings, maintenance, security and health and safety for the Centre. To oversee the management and development of the borough’s Local Nature Reserves and other nature conservation sites and to review the way that they are managed and maintained. To develop, co-ordinate and promote the volunteer programme, supervising volunteers and creating new volunteering opportunities. To advise other interested parties in improving and managing sites for nature conservation, including parks, schools, and community organisations. To support the Head of Parks in developing strategic direction for the service by reporting on key performance indicators and contributing to Green Flag, London in Bloom, events policy and wider parks initiatives. To manage projects to improve the nature reserves and other wildlife sites and to ensure that the community are engaged and resources managed effectively. To represent the Council and Greenspace at events and meetings, to make presentations and give talks to effectively promote the work of the service. The post will be required to work occasional evenings and weekends. Experience A minimum of 2 years’ experience of managing nature reserves, parks or other open space Experience of supervising and managing staff or volunteers to deliver excellent services. Experience of delivering an education/events programme and / or managing buildings or internal spaces. Knowledge of a Council’s duties around biodiversity and the role of urban nature conservation in delivering wider social objectives around healthy communities, social cohesion and quality of life etc. Knowledge of biodiversity policy and legislation as it applies to the planning system, including Biodiversity Action Plans and Biodiversity Net Gain Contract Initial 3 to 6 month ongoing contract with the opportunity to extend PAYE via Umbrella Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Number of supervisees