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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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Operational Delivery
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About the job
Job summary
This post is an exciting opportunity to join Forestry Englands team at Wendover Woods where, as the Visitor Services Manager, you will be responsible for leading our visitor offer and inspiring the team to provide a consistent quality of customer service.
Wendover Forest Centre provides a gateway for visitors to explore the forest and provides high quality facilities, play trails, cycling, Go Ape, catering and events.
A key aim at Wendover is to grow and diversify the business in an appropriate and sustainable way, while attracting and engaging new and repeat visitors.
Job description
Wendovers visitor experience offer plays an essential role in fulfilling the aims of Forestry England to connect people with nature in our nations forests and deliver health and well being benefits for all. You will lead on developing Wendovers offer and help to grow income from our commercial activities. Several successful businesses operate at Wendover, and you will be responsible for managing these important relationships and leading on the tendering of new business opportunities when required.
The role will work closely with the Wendover Operations Manager and site business partner to create a one-team culture.
Wendover is open 364 days of the year, and the Visitor Services Manager will be expected to work regular weekends and bank holidays.
This role provides line management and leadership of the following staff:
Visitor Services Coordinator
Visitor Services Officers x2
Visitor Services Assistants x3
Person specification
Relevant experience of leading a team to deliver excellent customer service.
Good people skills and an ability to establish productive working relationships with those in your team and across Forestry England.
A customer focused approach which enables you to effectively deal with visitors in a variety of situations.
Excellent organisational and time management skills.
An understanding of operational environmental, health and safety standards.
Full UK driving licence.
Desirable experience:
Relevant experience of working at an outdoor recreation or tourism attraction.
A relevant qualification or professional membership.
The role is based in East England Forest District at Wendover Woods. Occasional national travel with overnight stays will be required.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£7,501 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
An environment with flexible working options.
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
A Civil Service pension.
25 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 30 days after 5 years service. This is in addition to 8 public holidays.
Generous paid maternity and paternity leave which is notably more than the statutory minimum offered by many other employers.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
To apply for this position, please provide:
1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
2. A Personal Statement (500 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification (see responsibilities section).
Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using CV only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Failure to complete both sections (CV and Statement of Suitability) will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification. A panel will look for applications that demonstrate the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the Job Description and Responsibilities. Failure to address any or all of these criteria may affect your application.
We will be conducting the 1st interview online through Microsoft Teams or an equivalent online communication method, based on Behaviours. Candidates therefore require access to a computer and internet at 1st interview stage. Short-listed candidates will be asked to attend a 2nd site-based Strengths assessment at Wendover after the online interview.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Further Information
The role is being advertised as full time. However applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply. However your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
The duties of this post require the application to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. Forestry England is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Forestry Commission from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at here
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Where a role has been identified as one which falls under the scope of the Public Sector English Language Requirements, within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English. Applicants will be assessed in the selection process in accordance with the requirements.
The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via FCERecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Jocelyn Mosby
- Email : jocelyn.mosby@forestryengland.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
