Parks Technical Officer - Allotments

Job Description

To positively and actively contribute to one or more of the functions within the Parks, Green Spaces and Visitor Services team, as required including but not limited to; • Play and Technical • Allotment Provision, Strategy and Development • Quality Initiatives – Green Flag, Park Quality Assessments, etc • Landscape and Design Initiatives - Living Landscapes, Floral Clock, etc • Educational programmes • Technical and Operations Postholder is responsible for the management of the city’s 1,700 individual allotments and a 7,000+ customer waiting list. Duties involve the: - maintenance of allotment sites - administration of rents - administration of waiting list - regular assessment and enforcement of allotment conditions - working with partner groups (including FEDAGA, SAGS and Scottish Government) on service development and promotion - complaint / conflict resolution - responding to service requests and enquiry

Requirements

Some coaching skills are required to enable the post holder to support and contribute to the development of the team and support operational staff. Responsible for undertaking tasks covering several areas within the service. Required to analyse and identify problems or issues that arise within their area of work and apply creativity in developing solutions, working with others, such as operational staff or IT colleagues, as appropriate. Will analyse and interpret a wide range of information and data to evaluate project effectiveness and the achievement of planned outcomes and benefits. May be required to design and deliver in-house training programmes to a variety of staff groups. Input to the design of communications and promotional literature publicising and providing information to the public about, projects for which they are involved in.

Responsibilities

Provide a centralised technical support resource for specialist and operational teams. Support and contribute to the planning and implementation of new initiatives. Co-ordinate the processes associated with Edinburgh’s status as a Green Flag Authority, including communications, award submissions, management practices, park quality assessments and landscape performance standards. Monitor the progress and evaluate outcomes of parks, grounds maintenance and horticultural-related projects, ensuring successful delivery on time and on budget. Maintain information records and systems as necessary, including ongoing management and maintenance of GIS mapping of landscape features specific to the service and configuration within the Confirm environmental asset management system. Work with teams to monitor and manage the support of the Confirm Asset Management system and play a lead user and trainer role. Work with specialist, locality and workshop staff to review new equipment and practices and determine if they are ‘fit for purpose’ for current and future needs, ensuring consistency; compatibility and cost effectiveness of equipment and resources. Keep up-to-date with Best Practice and innovation in grounds maintenance and horticultural practices and consider and apply appropriately to improve service quality and delivery. Liaise regularly with a wide-range of stakeholders to ensure the necessary transfer of information and provide advice as required, dealing with complaints and enquiries regarding the services, attending meetings on-site where appropriate. Report on progress regularly to managers highlighting risks and issues as necessary and produce and prepare reports, briefing notes, letters, leaflets, guidance, statistics, etc as required. Preparation of presentations and training material and delivery of these where required and attendance at meetings, working groups, events, exhibitions, etc as appropriate.

The Individual

Work with the public, operational staff and contractors and will be expected to take timely action to resolve problems relating to service quality and/or compliance with agreed specifications. Meet with members of the public and community groups to provide information about projects and obtain feedback on proposals. Some contacts may be contentious and postholder will have to exercise tact, diplomacy and sensitivity to reconcile conflicting views and opinions. Communicate with other Council functions, Locality teams and external bodies to update and seek guidance on projects. Regular contact with team members and senior staff to provide updates on project/task progress, issues and risks.