Wild about Wakefield Countryside Activities Officer

£27,170, based on a 40-hour week. 5% employers pension contribution.
Fixed-term, two-year contract initially. Job share considered.
23 days annual leave (rising to 28 days after five years) plus public holidays.

Open Country is an inspirational Yorkshire-based charity with Hubs in Harrogate and Wakefield.
We seek to enable people with any form of disability to access and enjoy the countryside. We
achieve this through a diverse programme of countryside activities and the provision of
information and advice.

Your role will help sustain and develop our countryside activities programme in Wakefield. It
would include nature conservation and wildlife study, a walking group and educational trips at
weekends. You would work at the heart of this dynamic charity, within a small, professional and
above all, friendly team.

The role is mostly ‘hands-on-get-stuck-in’ activity delivery with weekly time to allow for
project development and admin. You will work alongside adults with all sorts of disabilities.
You will be out in all weathers, in all manner of countryside settings. There will be
a need to work one or two weekends each month, plus some evening work. We can (we hope!)
guarantee you will find the work fun, well-respected and rewarding.

The successful candidate will ideally have previous countryside experience, but we will also
consider candidates who can demonstrate that they have transferable skills from other sectors.
They should be self-reliant, resilient and have excellent verbal, written, social media and
people skills. A full driving licence is essential.

Successful candidates will receive a Disclosure & Barring Service check.

To apply, send a detailed covering letter and your CV to [email protected] . For more
background information and an employee specification, email David Shaftoe at the same address, or ring Ella Dixon on 07426
716677.

Closing Date: 10th June 2024

JOB PROFILE: Wild about Wakefield Countryside Activities Officer

JOB PURPOSE: To help maintain and extend the Open Country countryside
activities programme in Wakefield.

RESPONSIBLE TO: Wild about Wakefield Project Officer

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Promote the work of our ever-growing Wakefield activities, including co-ordinating the
   volunteers for your activity group sessions.
2. Co-ordinate and lead a weekly Wakefield Walking Group.
3. Co-ordinate and lead the Weekend Outings Group and some of the Adventure Club weekend
   outings.
4. Co-ordinate and lead the Wild Things Group, carrying out nature conservation tasks and
   wildlife study at our base at Thornes Park, with occasional trips further afield.
5. Maintain the Wakefield-based minibuses and trailer in good condition.
6. Provide occasional staff cover for our other weekly Wakefield activity groups, including
   the Tandem Clubs and Nature Force Group.
7. Undertake training as required, such as MiDAS, Safeguarding and First Aid.
8. Undertake whatever duties are allocated by the Wakefield Project Officer to ensure that
   Open Country offers a high quality and caring service at all times. This may include providing
   staff cover for holidays and illness.
9. Abide by all our policies, paying particular attention to Health & Safety and Equality,
   Diversty & Inclusion.