Job summary
Forestry and Land Scotland is the largest provider of outdoor recreation in Scotland. During 2020 and 2021 our forests and trails were busier than ever and this high demand is expected to continue throughout 2024-25.
The Visitor Services (VS) team is responsible for the development and delivery of a high quality, enjoyable and safe visitor experiences. This includes; planning and managing recreation opportunities, engaging with visitors, facilitating events, facilitating education and learning, working with partners & tenants, dealing with enquiries and engaging with communities.
This Ranger will be located at Clydebank as part of the central regions Visitor Services Team. The region comprises five functions: Business Services, Delivery, Planning and Environment, Estates Development and Visitor Services & Communities. The Region is also supported by national staff including a National Visitor Services and Communities team. The work at both Regional and National level around visitor services is supported by partnerships with Scottish Government, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue, Local Authorities, National Parks, Visit Scotland, Nature Scot and others.
Job description
This is a fixed term appointment, commencing in September through to the end of March 2025 with funding through to 2027. If you love the great outdoors and have face to face customer service experience then we�d love to hear from you!
The post holder will encourage our visitors to have a safe, enjoyable and responsible visit across Scottish Water and FLS sites, in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Engaging with school groups and community groups the ranger will educate on best practice whilst within our sites and near waters.
This is a key role providing face to face communication, taking appropriate decisions and resolving problems or issues to ensure our visitors have an enjoyable experience and our partners are involved and kept up to date. The role also includes practical site management.
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Main Duties
1. Welcoming visitors and providing information and advice on local resources, whilst promoting responsible visitor behaviours;
2. Monitoring and reporting visitor numbers and behaviour;
3. Work with land managers, ranger services, communities and other partners to promote responsible access opportunities and address impact of irresponsible behaviour such as campfires in woodland, party camping, irresponsible dog ownership and litter; reporting breaches of regulations to appropriate services;
4. General site clear up, including litter picking; erecting signage/cones as required;
5. Supervising agency staff contracted to be wardens;
6. Carry out inspections and audits of access routes and sites; undertaking any basic maintenance and repairs as required;
7. Community engagement, including work with schools and community groups
8. Creating interpretation materials for public education on using the countryside
9. Other ad hoc recreation management duties.
Person specification
Experience
Essential:
10. Experience of working in a visitor/customer facing or hospitality role, ideally in an outdoors setting;
11. Great communication skills � you'll be an enthusiastic communicator who develops relationships and rapport naturally with a wide range of people;
12. Able to work comfortably in all weathers and all terrains, including rough terrains;�
13. Self-driven and used to lone working without direct supervision, using your judgement to take decisions appropriate to circumstance;�
Desirable:
14. Knowledge of the outdoors in the area/locality of work;
15. Experience of engaging with internal and external stakeholders; Familiar with using
16. Microsoft Office packages, such as Outlook, Word and Excel.
Technical
Essential:
17. Basic countryside management and/or practical maintenance skills;�
18. Familiar with using Microsoft Office packages, such as Outlook, Word and Excel.
Desirable:
19. First aid certificate;
20. Understanding of Land Reform (Scotland) Act and Scottish Outdoor Access Code;
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �31,611, Forestry and Land Scotland contributes �9,157 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
21. Learning and development tailored to your role
22. An environment with flexible working options
23. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
24. A with an employer contribution of