Plymouth City Council
Natural Environment Officer (Nature Recovery – Poole Farm)
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Natural Environment Officer (Nature Recovery – Poole Farm), Plymouth City Council
Grade E
Plymouth City Council is seeking a dynamic Natural Environment Officer to work within the Nature Recovery Team, helping to deliver pioneering work at Poole Farm, the heart of Derriford Community Park and one of Plymouth’s most exciting nature recovery and community engagement sites. Poole Farm is a place where people, wildlife and nature come together, providing opportunities for learning, wellbeing, conservation and outdoor discovery. Rich in wildlife, habitats and heritage, the site is home to innovative nature recovery projects, including Plymouth's pioneering beaver programme, helping to restore natural processes while inspiring people to connect with nature.
This role will focus on the management of our conservation volunteer programme as well as being central to the hands-on delivery of engaging outdoor learning, ecotherapy, wellbeing and nature recovery activities. Working as part of a passionate team, you will create opportunities for people of all ages to connect with nature, develop practical skills and contribute to environmental action.
A significant part of the role involves working directly with young people, often those who are NEET and those with SEND, delivering education, ecotherapy and wellbeing programmes. We are looking for someone with substantial experience of engaging and supporting people with a wide range of needs and abilities, ideally with a background in youth work, outdoor learning, environmental education or a related field. You will be confident working in an outdoor setting, getting hands-on with nature and livestock, able to think on your feet, adapt activities to different audiences and create safe, inclusive and inspiring experiences that build confidence, resilience and positive outcomes.
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The successful candidate will have experience of managing volunteers and delivering activities in a practical conservation setting. They will have a good understanding of UK nature conservation and habitat management, with experience of delivering or supporting environmental improvement projects and engaging communities in nature recovery. Just as importantly, they will be passionate about helping people develop skills, improve health and wellbeing and build meaningful connections with the natural environment.
You will be enthusiastic, self-motivated and able to communicate effectively with colleagues, volunteers, partners and members of the public. No two days will be the same, from habitat management and beaver monitoring to volunteer activities, ecotherapy sessions and outdoor learning programmes, you will play an important role in helping people discover nature, develop new skills and leave feeling inspired.
This role will be based within Plymouth City Council’s new Natural Environment Service – consisting of several groundbreaking programmes and teams across the themes of; Communities; Trees; Marine; Nature Recovery; and Environmental Operations. The new Natural Environment Service enhances Plymouth’s demonstrable leadership as a Nature City with a track record in innovation across Climate, Nature, People, and Place programmes – working collaboratively across themes to achieve maximum impact for the city and the wider region. This is a hugely exciting time to join us in delivering our ambitions, most recently published in our Plan for Nature and People.
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The Disclosure & Barring Service Check requirement for this post is: DBS Children’s & Adult’s Check
We are a flexible employer and provide a variety of working arrangements tailored to the needs of each role.
Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation.
As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.
Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact Jerry Griffiths, Natural Environment Manager - Jerry.Griffiths@plymouth.gov.uk
Closing date: Sunday 19 July
Interviews will be in person at Poole Farm on Wednesday 12th August.
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