Recreation Craftsperson - Forest of Dean

West England Forest District is responsible for the sustainable management of over 36,500ha of the nation's forests in the west and south-west of England.
The District is managed from the District Office at Coleford, in the Forest of Dean. This post sits within the Recreation and Engagement team which consists of three forest centre teams; namely, The Forest of Dean, the Southern Hub sites (Haldon Forest & Cardinham) and the Northern hub sites (Wyre & Haughmond Hill) and specialist functions such as community engagement, learning, volunteering, marketing and communication. The post holder will report to the Recreation Managers within the Forest of Dean.
The Forest of Dean attracts over 1 million visits annually across a range of visitor sites; the sites are split between two Recreation Managers who lead a team of 4 recreation rangers, 2 visitor services officers and 2 crafts persons working cohesively to deliver high quality experiences and facilities that are safe and enjoyable.
Facilities include a network of walking, running and cycling trails, adventurous activities, play, cafés, toilets and bike hire making for very busy and popular destinations.
The Recreation Craftsperson role provides vital support to the wider team across the Forest of Dean being responsible primarily for keeping visitor sites and carparks clean, tidy and well maintained. This will involve collection and disposal of rubbish from bins on a daily basis, litter picking and general maintenance tasks. The other core duty for the Craftsperson team is the unlocking of site gates and barriers each morning, on a varying schedule through the year.
Working as part of a seven-day rota to include alternate weekends, regular public holidays and occasional out-of-hours events, the post holder will support the recreation team to ensure visitors receive a high-quality experience and that the facilities remain fit for purpose and safe., Key Work Areas
Provide a built estate that is fit for purpose for all users
+ Focus on site presentation through litter collection duties: litter picking, bin emptying and removal of all types of waste for disposal of at our depots. Recyclable waste must be segregated from non-recyclable waste streams.
+ Minor Maintenance tasks: to include the installation, repair and painting of signs, fence repairs, replenishing fall-protection materials in a play area or closing off individual pieces of play equipment after identifying a suspected fault.
+ Vegetation control: Seasonal strimming and mowing of vegetation on recreation sites, gateways and around forest furniture. This may include occasional chemical spraying after appropriate training and certification of the individual.
+ Public toilets: Inspect and carry out duties such as replacing toilet rolls or unblocking toilets or mopping floors after flooding/misuse prior to the appropriate tradesperson or cleaner carrying out full repairs.
+ Site Security: Unlocking main public entrances and buildings on recreation sites and car parks in line with site opening times.
+ Carry out facility and trail inspections and ensure that defects are properly recorded and rectified in a timely manner.
+ Tree safety inspections.
+ Assist in the maintenance of recreation facilities including, but not limited to, litter picking, bin emptying, dealing with fly tipping, replenishing toilet consumables, installation and maintenance of signs, vegetation management.
Embed a safety-first culture in our teams
+ Respond quickly to unexpected incidents (lost children, cycle accidents, antisocial behaviour) providing first aid assistance and support to emergency services when required.
+ Record incidents and accidents, collating all relevant information.
+ Ensure personal safety at all times by following job risk assessments, using lone working systems and by carrying out PPE and safety checks, in compliance with policy guidance.
Increase our value for money, and maximise opportunities to increase income
+ Provide face to face customer service giving advice and information to visitors as well as selling Forestry England Memberships and leaflets.
+ Monitor pay and display machines to ensure they are fully working, and undertake car park patrols as required., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Managing a Quality Service
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Working Together, A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Forestry Commission from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.
Where a role has been identified as one which falls under the scope of the Public Sector English Language Requirements, within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English. Applicants will be assessed in the selection process in accordance with the requirements.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

+ Excellent communication skills.
+ Excellent team working skills.
+ Competence with IT such as MS Office, and using social media.
+ A good understanding of relevant health and safety best practice.
+ Full driving license.
Desirable
+ Background in practical facility maintenance.
+ Experience in working in a busy outdoor setting.
+ A qualification in First Aid at work.
+ Practical or vocational qualifications.

Licences
UK Driving License

Alongside your salary of £24,323, Forestry Commission contributes £6,567 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role.
+ An environment with flexible working options.
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
+ A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%.