Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

About the team we are recruiting to

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

Coventry itself is a vibrant and multicultural city with a fascinating and inspiring story to tell. Having been awarded the City of Culture 2021 and with many other events upcoming, Coventry is an exciting place to be.

The War Memorial Park is Coventry's premier park and attracts around 400,000 visitors from all over the city and beyond every year. Many come to enjoy a casual visit, while others come to take part in some of the many special events that take place throughout the year. 

Roughly 48.5 hectares in size, the park is made up of two areas, the formal garden with the War Memorial and the sports areas, with playing fields, footgolf course, Splash 'n' Play Park and play areas. There is also a 1.6 mile circular footpath around the park.

The War Memorial Park is now listed as a Grade II park by English Heritage and the War Memorial itself is listed as Grade II

You will be joining the Streetscene & Greenspace team as part of the War Memorial Park Services, we are a hard-working team responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the War Memorial Park, ensuring a welcoming place for both residents and visitors alike.

What is the job role?

Urban Ranger

About the team we are recruiting to

In Coventry we cherish and value our award-winning parks and openspaces. We know that they contribute significantly to the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of people and are vital to help protect our environment and wildlife.

The Parks and Open Spaces Team are a passionate, hardworking team responsible for the provision and development of safe, accessible and attractive parks and openspaces and the management, planning and maintenance of the Councils trees and urban forest. They work hard to ensure our parks are a welcoming place for all of our residents and visitors to enjoy today and for many years to come.

What is the job role?

Coventry City Council Parks & Openspaces Team are looking for two new rangers to join our Urban Ranger Team.

The Rangers are an important part of our service, performing essential duties throughout the year to help maintain and develop the city’s green spaces. They are our ‘front-facing’ service and have a busy workload and we are looking for people with a range of different skills that will add to those of the existing team members.

Reporting to the Commercial and Visitor Experience Manager, the successful applicants will join a small team of existing rangers to work closely with volunteers, community groups and other members of the public, advising and supporting them in the practical management of their local park, woodland or other green space.

The rangers are required to work outdoors throughout the year and on rough terrain or even occasionally in rivers and ponds. Appropriate training will be provided as necessary.  

A uniform and appropriate PPE will be provided

The posts require working some anti-social hours include occasional weekend and evening work for which an increment on the standard salary will be paid.

Who are we looking for?

You will need to have practical skills and experience in (for example) horticulture, arboriculture, agriculture or nature conservation and a good awareness of health and safety.

You will need to be enthusiastic, diplomatic and have previous experience in working with the public.

You will be happy to work with all people regardless of culture, background or gender.

You will have prior experience of working with children and vulnerable adults (for which we will require you to have an enhanced DBS check).

You will have a full, clean UK driving license and we would especially welcome anyone who is both qualified and has experience in driving Category BE vehicles.  

Our workforce data shows that people from minority and ethnic backgrounds are under-represented in green space management and we encourage applicants from these backgrounds to apply.

We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Who are we looking for?

Knowledge

Understanding of the management of the outdoor environment with regard to wildlife and sustainability.

An understanding and awareness of Health and Safety issues.

An understanding of the issues affecting disadvantaged communities.

Skills and Abilities

Ability to effectively communicate in writing, on the telephone and face to face with individuals and groups of people.

Listening skills, seeking clarification and giving information in a concise and clear manner.

Able to follow complex written and verbal instructions.

 Able to follow complex written and verbal instructions.

Able to work sensitively within a diverse multi-cultural, multi-faith community.

Able to work flexibly, including some weekend, evening and bank holiday working.

Able to remain calm and reasonable in difficult situations.

PC keyboard skills to input and retrieve data.

Able to undertake word processing.

Able to work on own initiative.

  Able to work with a diversity of businesses, and community and special interest groups.

Experience

Urban parks, countryside, woodland or river / waterway management.

Community development

Youth work / work in an educational setting.

Events organisation.

Qualifications

No formal qualifications are necessary.

Special Requirements

Possess a full, clean driving licence

Working weekends and Bank Holidays

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.

Interview date(s): TBC

About Coventry

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies

Coventry City Council