Ballard House
Fixed Term Contract - 31/3/2025
37 hours per week
Grade C (£19,312 to £20,092)
Natural Infrastructure Assistant Role Profile
Plymouth and South
Devon Community Forest Project Assistant
Are you passionate about the role trees can play in tackling
climate change and improving health and well-being?
Do you have the skills to
galvanise local communities, partners and landowners to create the green spaces
of the future?
Do you want to make to make a difference in delivering a
flagship environmental project?
We are looking for an ambitious and energetic Project
Assistant to work on the development and delivery of a ground-breaking
community initiative: the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest. The
purpose of this role will be to lead the work to develop and
deliver the first phase which will bring community and nature together as
part of an exciting new venture in the city.
You will be working with partners to inspire local people,
to enable them to participate and grow this hugely important new community
asset. Your love of the outdoors will inspire others, particularly young
people, and help build relationships in the local community. You
will be a proud ambassador for the Plymouth and South Devon Community
Forest and lead the development and delivery as part of the partnership
formed to deliver this exciting project.
The vision for Plymouth
& South Devon Community Forest (PSDCF) is to deliver multiple benefits to
the city and beyond, including the wellbeing of communities, the economy and
the environment. This new urban community forest is one of 3 new initiatives
approved by the Trees for Climate Fund as part of the Government’s plan to
tackle climate change.
The Forest will also
help Plymouth City Council deliver our ambitious Climate Emergency Action Plan, the city’s Growth agenda and the objectives of
our strategic plans including the Joint Local Plan.
The Community Forest has the potential to create an additional 1600
hectares of new, improved and better connected habitat with new access,
enterprise and employment opportunities.
The Community Forest is a partnership project between PCC, South Hams
and West Devon Council, National Trust and Woodland Trust with a strong and
broad advisory group. It will develop a unique governance and business model to
ensure sustainable delivery and social and environmental value for local
communities.
What you’ll be doing
Ambitious
tree planting programme: support the delivery of a programme of
work across the Community Forest, including rewilding and nature
conservation/restoration, access and interpretation
Supporting
the Community Forest team and partnership: working across Plymouth City
Council, National Trust, South Hams and West Devon Council and Woodland
Trust as well as the project advisory group
Engaging
people: establishing the Community Forest as being led and inclusive
of young people and the local community
Establishing
Forest Plan: working within the local area and stakeholders to ensure the
Community Forest has a clear strategy for the next 10 years.
Who we are
looking for
You will be passionate about everyone in
communities having access to greenspace, nature
and wildlife. We are looking for
people who see an opportunity to deliver more by working
in partnership, and are able to overcome barriers to working
differently. You will be keen to test things out, learn as you
go and work in ways that haven’t been tried before.
We are looking for people who are strong communicators
and team players, and able to play their part in quickly
creating a new Community Forest team. You will be confident
in working as part of a team to lead, motivate and inspire groups
of young people, and keen to find ways
to create nature advocates in local communities.
You’ll need to
Be
responsible for supporting the project team to deliver the Community
Forest programme
Demonstrate
a passion for nature and the outdoors
Be
able to engage with community groups and enable them to
shape their local greenspaces
Support
the development of a new team and a great place to work, sharing
common goals
Have
experience of or be keen to work in partnership and collaborate
across organisational boundaries
Work
as part of a diverse team to lead community engagement activity
Have
some experience of project reporting and support
Understand
how teams work safely, with risk assessments and compliance with safety
procedures
Have
some experience in working in a similar outdoor setting and/or
urban environment
Closing date: Wednesday 26 January 2022
Expected interview date: WC 31st January 2022