Wetland Arc Project Officer (Fixed Term)

The Parks Trust

  • Milton Keynes
  • £27,645-29,100 per year
  • Contract
  • Full-time
  • 5 days ago
Established as an independent charity in 1992, The Parks Trust expertly cares for over 6,000 acres of beautiful and inspirational green space in Milton Keynes including parks, ancient woodlands, lakes, river valleys and 80 miles of landscaped areas along the city’s grid roads.In most towns and cities, parkland is owned by the local authority, but Milton Keynes’ founders were pioneers and decided to do things differently. Their vision was to create a new town where the parkland and landscapes would be protected forever by a charity that was separate from local government. Doing so would ensure that, as the new town grew, its green spaces would never be compromised or have to fight for funding.That all became a reality when The Parks Trust was set up in 1992. The new charity was given a 999-year lease on a total of 4,500 acres of Milton Keynes and an endowment of property valued at £20m. Returns on these carefully managed investments generate the primary source of income required to fund the charity’s wide-ranging work today and forever.Over 100 staff and 240 volunteers deliver the essential work of The Parks Trust. In addition to landscaping and maintenance tasks, that also includes providing valuable recreation and leisure facilities, connecting communities at over 500 outdoor events each year, and advancing public education around the wildlife, biodiversity, and the environment.As Milton Keynes grows, so does The Parks Trust. Each year, the charity takes on new green spaces and endowments from developers to cover costs in perpetuity. This approach ensures that all new areas of the city benefit from the same quality of inspiring, connected landscape and Milton Keynes remains a great place to live, work and play.The River Great Ouse Valley Wetland Arc ProjectThe Parks Trust has been awarded £213,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to create a landscape-scale masterplan for the River Great Ouse Valley Wetland Arc. This wonderful landscape spans 355 hectares (approximately 500 football pitches) along the River Great Ouse in the north of Milton Keynes. The Wetland Arc project will help The Parks Trust to plan for a future of nature recovery along the river valley and encourage community participation in and activation of the landscape.The Wetland Arc project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery Players, we have been able to secure funding for a Project Officer to deliver project events and activities.We’re looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated Project Officer to engage a wide range of audiences in exploring the natural heritage of the Wetland Arc. The Project Officer will deliver all community engagement and volunteer activities for the Wetland Arc project and inspire local people to get involved in developing the landscape masterplan.This is a fixed-term role for 2 years.HOURS & SALARY INFOHours
  • Up to 37.5 hours per week including some evenings and weekends
Salary
  • £27,645 - £29,100 per annum
Key Objective
  • Develop, facilitate, and manage activities to achieve the intended outputs and outcomes of the Wetland Arc project.
FULL JOB DESCRIPTION ATTACHED.
  • Experience of running a community engagement and activity programme
  • Experience of working with community groups, volunteers and the public
  • Flexible and adaptable; the role will involve some weekend and evening working.
  • Good presentation and verbal communication skills and an enthusiasm for working with the community.
  • Experience of risk assessment and risk management particularly in organising community activities and events in an outdoor setting.
  • Good working knowledge of habitat management.
  • Full driving licence.
In return, we offer a comprehensive benefits package:
  • Competitive salary.
  • Ongoing support and training.
  • Excellent contributory pension scheme (up to 10% employer contribution).
  • Income protection and life assurance cover after qualifying period.
  • Enhanced family friendly policies after qualifying period.
  • Home Working policy.
  • Occupational sick pay.
  • Cycle to Work scheme.
  • Discounted gym membership.
  • Salary sacrifice schemes for tech & electric cars.
  • Generous annual leave allowance.
  • Wellbeing day off per year.
  • Buying and Selling option for annual leave.
  • Medical Cash Plan.
  • Access to employee wellbeing helpline.
  • Discount for Willen Lake activities and café.
  • Free eye tests.
  • Great office in a parkland setting with free parking.
Application processPlease apply online using the link through our website using Cezanne.
  • Deadline for applications –Sunday 21st September.
  • Initial teams' conversation - Week commencing 22nd September 2025.
  • Interviews to be held on Monday 29th September or Friday 3rd October.
The Parks Trust is committed to safeguarding and will always recruit all personnel in line with government guidelines, relevant legislation, Charity Commission guidance and best practice standards.We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.If you need additional support with your application or would like further information, please contact recruitment@theparkstrust.com.

The Parks Trust