The Open Spaces Society was founded in 1865 and is Britain’s oldest national conservation body. The society wishes to appoint a Case Officer with responsibility for open spaces and town and village greens. The role will be home-based and part time (21 hours per week) with regular visits to the office in Henley-on-Thames. Salary from £43,000 fte plus pension contribution.
Primary responsibilities will include the following:
• To provide technical support on town and village greens (TVGs), other open spaces, and related planning matters, to staff and volunteers.
• To act as one of the society’s case-workers by dealing with requests for advice and answering queries from members of the society on TVGs, other open spaces, and related planning matters, in England and Wales, by correspondence, online and occasional site visits.
• To develop the society’s policies and campaigns on TVGs and other open spaces, and to lead on relevant campaigns.
• To represent the society on TVGs, other open spaces, and related planning matters, on policy groups, and at meetings with Government departments and other stakeholders.
• To prepare reports and recommendations on legal casework.
• To assist with parliamentary work, including reviewing relevant bills, drafting amendments and liaising with other parties.
• To provide training to local authorities, local councils and other organisations.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate:
• good and up-to-date technical and legal knowledge of planning and open spaces in England and Wales;
• a flair for campaigning;
• excellent spoken and written English;
• demonstrable experience of prioritising a busy and demanding workload;
• competent use of Microsoft Office tools (including spreadsheets and presentations).
It will be helpful if candidates also can demonstrate:
• good and up-to-date technical and legal knowledge of town or village greens;
• use of social media to support campaigning and education;
• experience of public speaking;
• willingness to travel in England and Wales.