Countryside Project Officer

Pay Rate: 27000
Hour Per Week: 22.2
Working Pattern:
Initially, 3 days per week (22.2 hours). From July 2027, the role will increase to 37 hours per week. Included in the total hours, it is anticipated that you will be available for work with volunteer groups at weekends, roughly every 2 weeks.
Closing Date: 18 September 2026

Job Description

• Do you enjoy practical outdoor work, care about the environment and like working with people?
• Denby Dale Parish Council is looking for somebody who can help look after and improve local green spaces while encouraging residents, volunteers, schools and community groups to get involved.
• This is a permanent position offering the opportunity to develop a long-term career with the Parish Council.
• During your first six to nine months, you will work alongside David Wilde, the council’s experienced Countryside Officer , to learn how the different projects operate and build relationships with the people and organisations involved.
• David is preparing to retire, so the aim is for you to gradually take on responsibility for leading the Countryside Project. There is also expected to be further salary progression as your responsibilities increase.
• This is not a typical desk-based council job. You could spend one day repairing a footpath or maintaining a community allotment, another supporting volunteers in local woodland, and another helping a school with an environmental project.
• Because Denby Dale is a parish council rather than a large county council, there is flexibility to develop new ideas, shape the role and make it your own.

• Organising and taking part in practical conservation work, such as maintaining footpaths, repairing stiles, planting trees and hedges, looking after ponds and improving wildlife habitats.
• Supporting the Churchfield Community Allotment and Well-Being Garden.
• Planning and running practical sessions with local volunteers and community groups.
• Encouraging more local people to volunteer and helping them have a positive experience.
• Working with schools and young people on environmental activities and Eco-Schools projects.
• Helping to look after local woodlands, green spaces, community gardens and other countryside sites.
• Monitoring local wildlife and waterways, including activities such as pond and river-water monitoring.
• Working with local charities, environmental organisations, council colleagues and other partners.
• Promoting activities and volunteering opportunities through social media and other local publicity.
• Attending relevant council and community meetings and providing clear updates on the work being delivered.
• Helping to organise events and activities that encourage people to enjoy and care for their local environment.
• Supporting the Parish Council Station Adoption Group in their work at Denby Dale rail station.

• Planning the Countryside Project’s programme of work.
• Developing new environmental and community projects.
• Coordinating volunteers, work-experience students and placements.
• Producing straightforward plans for the management and improvement of local sites.
• Applying for external funding and managing funded projects.
• Monitoring budgets and making sure money is used effectively.
• Reporting to parish councillors and making recommendations about future work.
• Supporting the council’s response to climate change and its work with local schools.
• Building relationships with organisations that can support environmental work across the parish.

• Genuinely interested in the countryside, wildlife and the local environment.
• Happy doing physical work outdoors throughout the year.
• Practical, resourceful and willing to get stuck in.
• Confident speaking to members of the public and building relationships with different people.
• Able to encourage, support and organise volunteers.
• Comfortable working with children, young people, schools and community groups.
• Organised and able to balance several different projects and commitments.
• Able to communicate…