Freelance Community Ranger

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We are seeking a part-time, freelance Community Ranger to strengthen connections between local communities and the land Tayvallich Initiative (TI) owns on their behalf, encompassing its natural and cultural heritage, with a particular emphasis on people who are experiencing barriers to becoming involved.

Community Ranger for Tayvallich Initiative

Are you passionate about working with communities? Do you love nature and the outdoors, and have the enthusiasm and versatility to help our community be more engaged with the land in our guardianship and actively involved in its management? 

We are seeking a part-time, freelance Community Ranger to strengthen connections between local communities and the land Tayvallich Initiative (TI) owns on their behalf, encompassing its natural and cultural heritage, with a particular emphasis on people who are experiencing barriers to becoming involved.

  • Role Title: Community Ranger
  • Freelance opportunity, 24 months fixed term, from early June 2024 to 30 May 2026
  • Hours: on average 2 days a week (with flexibility to meet the varying demands of this role). Some out-of-hours working will be required
  • Remuneration: £150 per day (inclusive of VAT if applicable) for 104 days per year. £31,200 total fee 
  • Allowance: for travel and mobile phone expenses plus use of a laptop for work purposes only 
  • Budget: There is a generous budget available for volunteer expenses, materials, signage, tools, the creation of a new web resource, and the development of the TI website
  • Reporting to: the Coordinator of the Land Working Group who in turn reports to the Board of Directors of TI. Working closely with other groups and staff members of Tayvallich Initiative
  • Location: This role would ideally suit someone based in the Mid Argyll area who can travel to the community for events and engagement meetings.  However, it is important that an applicant with a suitable level of experience is appointed and, as such, they could be from further afield with the ability to remote work and attend meetings in the community on a scheduled basis. The Tayvallich Community Hall is available for community events and has some space for office working. 
  • Closing Date: 5pm on Wednesday 24 April 2024
  • Interviews: Monday 20 May and Tuesday 21 May 2024

Key Tasks, Duties and Accountabilities of the Post

The key focus of this role will be to:

  • Work with TI to maximise the benefits of this land to both people and wildlife, sustaining that change in the long term
  • Connect local communities to TI land, its natural and cultural heritage, with a particular emphasis on people who are experiencing barriers to becoming involved 
  • Drive forward community engagement around the land, the habitats and cultural heritage


More specifically you will:

  • Work with Tayvallich residents to understand and build on their existing knowledge of the land, discuss concerns and build consensus over priorities for improved information and access, and hopes for the future management and uses of TI land
  • Create opportunities for practical involvement in habitat management and improved access in collaboration with the community, NatureScot and other agencies
  • Support the ongoing development of a conservation management plan for wildlife species and habitats
  • Support existing and new volunteers and engagement activities and target new audiences from across Mid Argyll
  • Organise specialist talks and community workshops on habitats, species, land management practices and history and cultural/natural heritage
  • Lead on the creation of an interactive digital resource – to complement and enhance TI’s existing website and encompass maps, data on species, history and cultural/natural heritage
  • Lead on the creation of information and interpretation materials

This role will require strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with the community, other landowners, members of the public and other stakeholders such as NatureScot. The role will support existing and new volunteers and engagement activities but will also target new audiences from across Mid Argyll. 

It will be a challenging, but rewarding role, working with TI to maximise the benefits of this landscape to both people and wildlife and sustaining that change in the long term.

 

 

Requirements

Essential Knowledge and Experience

  • Educated to at least SCQF level 6, which includes an HNC or equivalent in a relevant subject (e.g. Countryside Management). Time-served experience in a relevant position will also be considered, especially where the focus of the role was community engagement
  • A demonstrable personal interest in the countryside, nature and the outdoors
  • Substantial experience of working with communities and volunteers in an outdoor environment including understanding the safeguarding requirements in relation to adults and children
  • Working knowledge and understanding of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and how it affects access rights
  • Volunteer management experience, ideally linked to nature/conservation

Desirable Knowledge and Experience

  • Knowledge of local wildlife habitats and species
  • Knowledge of the legal framework for the protection of SSSIs/SACs and other relevant legislation (training can be provided if required)
  • First Aid Qualification
  • Qualifications in utilising hand-held machinery such as chainsaws and strimmers (training can be provided)
  • Experience of working with diverse community groups or people who experience barriers to accessing the countryside
  • Awareness of Health & Safety 

Key Skills and Personal Attributes 

Project Management – ability to manage, deliver and monitor projects within agreed timescales and set budgets

Building Relationships – able to develop and maintain effective relationships with local community members, directors and a wide range of partners and external agencies engaged with the land 

Excellent Communication Skills – both written and oral (including confident presentational skills and effective use of social media

Making A Difference – Passionate about making a positive difference for people and nature

Enthusiasm and Motivation – able to engage and motivate local community with the development and progression of projects

Initiative – able to work autonomously on a day-to-day basis with minimum supervision

Organisational Skills – able to prioritise work, plan and to work to deadlines

Problem-Solving – Able to problem solve and find solutions to issues blocking project delivery

Tenacity and Resilience – Able to work under pressure and public scrutiny and deliver results to tight deadlines

IT – Well-developed IT skills (in particular Word, Excel, Teams, GoogleMeet); use of social media packages (including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) and web content management


Other

  • A suitable standard of fitness (able to walk 10–15 miles and use hand tools like saws and spades) and able to work in adverse weather conditions
  • Able to fulfil the travel requirements of the role, with a full clean driving licence

TI is grateful for the funding for this post provided by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

 

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