entertaining your community in local government parks management 

 

Introduction

Local government parks officers oversee the maintenance, management and development of a local council’s parks and recreational open spaces.  It is their job to ensure that parks and open spaces meet the needs of the local community, but also take into account environmental considerations. 

 

Work Environment

Local government parks officers are office-based, but spend a lot of their time outdoors visiting parks and open spaces.
They usually work a standard 37 hour week.

 

Daily Activities

Local government parks officers manage and monitor the upkeep and maintenance of parks and open spaces, they also develop plans to improve park facilities and promote the use of recreational open spaces.
Their duties may include some or all of the following:

• monitoring the council’s grounds maintenance programme – this may include managing council staff employed to carry out this work, or supervising the work of external contractors;
• ensuring parks maintenance work is carried out to the highest standard, on time and on budget;
• working together with grounds maintenance staff and landscape architects to regenerate and develop horticultural features, such as plant beds and parks facilities, such as playground areas;
• consulting with park users and other members of the local community regarding their use of parks and open spaces and to establish their future needs;
• developing strategic plans for improvement of parks and open spaces based on public consultation;
• promoting the use of parks and open spaces and developing activities to improve public usage;
• working in partnership with community safety colleagues within the councils and the Police to improve public safety in parks and open spaces;
• responding to public enquiries and complaints, and writing up reports.

 

Skills & Interests 

Local government parks officers need:

• to be excellent communicators with good people management skills,
• a knowledge of conservation and horticulture,
• good contract, budget and project management skills,
• good analytical skills,
• to be practical and innovative problem solvers,
• report writing skills.

 

Entry Requirements

Local government parks officers are usually expected to have relevant experience and qualifications to support their application, but there are no set requirements, so the criteria are likely to vary depending on the council and the responsibilities of the job.
You might start your career as a gardener or a member of the grounds maintenance staff and work your way up.  N/SVQs or an Apprenticeship in amenity horticulture might be available for you to gain qualifications while you work.
You might enter after gaining a relevant HND or degree in horticulture, amenity horticulture, countryside/landscape management, or other related area.
The Royal Horticultural Society also run a number of relevant training courses.
It is likely that you will also need a full driving licence.
 

 

Estimated salary range

 

Local government parks officers might expect to earn £27,000 - £30,000.

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

There may be opportunities to move into more senior managerial positions within the local council parks and open spaces department.  There may also be opportunities to progress into management within other service areas such as countryside management, sport and recreation, or street scene. 

 

Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Entertaining Your Community.
Further Information & Services

ISPAL www.ispal.org.uk

Lantra www.lantra.co.uk

Royal Horticultural Society www.rhs.org.uk

You may find further information about this area of work in your local Connexions service/careers office/school careers library - under HB.

What should I do next?

Look for current local government Parks Officer vacancies in the following places:

 

 

• LGjobs.com - our official recruitment website for local government.
• Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
• Local council websites.
• Local newspapers
• National newspapers - The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.

Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:

• Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
• Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
• Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in - ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
• Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and training.