APPLICATION FORM

CONFIDENTIAL APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT

The Royal Parks is committed to the fair treatment of its staff, potential staff or users of its services. Recruitment and selection decisions are made purely on merit as the result of fair and open competition. We are committed to equality of opportunity for the advancement of employees including promotion and training and do not discriminate against any person because of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or responsibility for dependants, age, physical/mental disability or offending background.

PLEASE NOTE: The Royal Parks (TRP) and the charity The Royal Parks Foundation have agreed they should become a new single organisation to fundraise for and manage the capital's eight Royal Parks. Both organisations plan to join within a new charitable public corporation.  A detailed plan has been worked up, and work is ongoing but it is hoped the new organisation will be established from 1 December 2016. The new organisation will be a charitable public corporation with increased freedoms and flexibilities to manage the parks more efficiently.

Staff joining TRP before 1 December 2016 will be civil servants but after that date their status will change as TRP will be moving out of the civil service to a new charitable status.  Staff terms and conditions will be protected on transfer.

The closing date for this application is Monday, 11 th July 2016.

Tip: You can use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move between fields. Once completed, please email your form to vacancies@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk with the job title as the subject, we don’t require a hard copy as well.

1. JOB POSITION

Position applied for: Head of Ecology

Grade: III

Vacancy reference: HE0616

2. PERSONAL DETAILS

Title: Please select:

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Surname:      

Forename(s):      

Address:      

Postcode:      

Daytime telephone(s):      

Email Address:      

Do you have a full current driving licence? (If required by the job description)

Please select:

Are you currently a Civil Servant? Please select:

Have you ever been a Civil Servant? Please select:

At what stage are you applying? Please select:

3. EDUCATION

A) Secondary Education

School name/address From

(MM/YYYY)

To

(MM/YYYY)

Examinations (subject/result, etc.)

                       

(Tip: Tables will automatically expand as you type if extra space is needed)

B) Further Education and Training

University/college name From

(MM/YYYY)

To

(MM/YYYY)

Type of

Course

Subjects Qualifications or class of degree

                                   

C) Occupational Qualifications/Institute Membership/Membership of Professional Organisations

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College/Institute

or other name

From

(MM/YYYY)

To

(MM/YYYY)

Qualification/level

                       

4. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Please provide details over the last 10 years, including any unpaid or voluntary work, listing present or most recent employer first. Any gaps in employment dates should be explained. If you have any particularly relevant experience dating beyond the last 10 years please include this.

Current salary and benefits or salary when last employed:

£      Notice required:

     

Name and address of employer and type of

business

From

(MM/YYYY)

To

(MM/YYYY)

Job title and main duties

Reason for leaving

                             

                             

                             

                             

                             

                             

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5. REASON FOR APPLICATION – Skills, Qualities and Experience

In this part we want you to highlight your skills, qualities and experience. The competencies relevant to the post you are applying for are listed in the Person Specification on the job description enclosed below. For those competencies listed below, please give specific examples in no more than 200 words for each heading about a time either at work, volunteering or in your personal life that demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria required to do the job. You must ensure that your answers provide clear evidence of the given competency.

Seeing the Big Picture: Seek to understand how the services, activities and strategies in the area work together to create value for the customer/end user.     

Changing and Improving: Able to demonstrate a highly motivated, flexible and innovative approach to work. Think creatively and to use initiative to solve problems in problems in potentially variable and diverse situations. Show good time management skills and be able to prioritise work accordingly.      

Making Effective Decisions: A sound understanding of national and regional legislation and policy relevant to biodiversity conservation, planning guidance, site designation for wildlife conservation and species status designations.     

Leading and Communicating: Take opportunities to regularly communicate and interact with staff, helping to clarify goals and activities and the links between these and departmental strategy.     

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Managing a Quality Service: Develop, implement, maintain and review systems and service standards to provide quality, efficiency and value for money.     

Delivering at Pace: Regularly monitor own team’s work against milestones or targets and act promptly to keep work on track and maintain performance.     

6. PERSONAL STATEMENT

This is your opportunity to tell us why you think we should select you and why you want the job. Here you can demonstrate how your experience meets the other role competencies in the person specification attached. You may also include personal interests which are relevant and meet the requirements of the post. You must use no more than 350 words.

     

7. ATTENDANCE RECORD

If you wish to comment on any extended absences from the office, please do so here.

     

8. PART TIME

If you are part time, please state the number of hours that you are able to work and also please confirm if you would consider job share.

9. REFEREES

Please provide the contact details of referees from your employment over the past 3 years.

Please note that your present employer and other referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.

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Referee 1 Referee 2Name:       Name:      Address:       Address:      Postcode:       Postcode:      Occupation:       Occupation:      Email:       Email:      Telephone No:

      Telephone No:      

Referee 3 Referee 4Name:       Name:      Address:       Address:      Postcode:       Postcode:      Occupation:       Occupation:      Email:       Email:      Telephone No:

      Telephone No:      

10. DECLARATION

By submission of your form, you agree to the following:

I confirm that the information given on this form is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true and accurate. I understand that if I have given misleading information on this form, this will be sufficient grounds for terminating my employment. I have personally completed the application form.

Name:       Date: Click here to enter a date.

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11. LINE MANAGER’S ASSESSMENT OF SUITABILITY (or Countersigning Officer if Line Manager not available)

If you are currently employed as a Civil Servant you will be required to complete this section in full. Candidates must attach their entire completed application, with section 11 for their line managers to complete. Please also attach your last 2 years' appraisal reports.

External candidates should proceed directly to Section 12.

1) I consider this applicant to be:

Highly suitable Suitable Unsuitable I am unable to judge

Please comment on your assessment drawing attention to the applicant’s experience/special qualities for the post. If you are unable to judge the applicant’s suitability, please give reasons:

     

To be completed only if applicant is applying for trawled post on promotion.

2) Do you consider the applicant to have the skills and experience to perform at the higher grade they have applied for?

Yes No

Please comment on your promotion assessment:

     

Name:       Grade:       Date: Click here to enter a date.

Line Manager/Countersigning Officer for Please select: years and Please select: months

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12. DIVERSITY FORM (this will be detached from your application by the HR Dept)

Section A: Your Details

Title: Please select:

Forename(s):      

Surname:      

Date Of Birth:      

Male Female

Gender Identity (optional): If you identify as transsexual or transgender (in that you have effected a permanent change of gender identity) or as inter-sex, which group do you identify with?      

How did you learn of this vacancy? Please select:

If ‘Other internet site’, ‘Recruitment Agency’ or ‘Other’, please specify here:      

Section B: Disability

The Royal Parks wish to encourage suitably qualified people with disabilities to apply for jobs. All information will be treated in strictest confidence.

Do you consider that you have a disability? Yes No Prefer not to say

What is the nature of your disability?      

Please give details of any special needs or requirements that you may need us to make if you are invited to interview/offered employment:      

Section C: Religion or Belief and Sexual Orientation

Which religion or belief do you most associate with? Please tick one box only.

No religion Buddhist Christian Hindu Jewish

Muslim Sikh Any other religion Prefer not to say

Which sexual orientation do you most associate with? Please tick one box only.

Bisexual Gay Man Gay Woman/Lesbian Heterosexual/straight

Other Prefer not to say

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Section D: National Identity

Which National Identity do you most identify with? Please tick one box only.

British English Northern Irish Scottish

Welsh Other (please specify if you wish)       Prefer not to say

Section E: Ethnic Identity

Which Ethnic Background do you most identify with? Please tick one box only.

ASIAN OR ASIAN BRITISH:

Bangladeshi Indian Pakistani

Any Other Asian Background (please specify if you wish)      

BLACK OR BLACK BRITISH:

African Caribbean Any Other Black Background (please specify if you wish)      

CHINESE:

Any Chinese Background (please specify if you wish)      

MIXED ETHNIC BACKGROUND:

Mixed White and Asian Mixed White and Black African Mixed White and Black Caribbean

Any Other Mixed Background (please specify if you wish)      

WHITE:

Any White Background (please specify if you wish)      

OTHER ETHNIC BACKGROUND:

Any Other Ethnic Background (please specify if you wish)      

Prefer not to say

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Thank you for completing these forms, please now email your final application and diversity form to vacancies@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk with the job title as the subject

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Head of Ecology (12 month maternity cover)

Location: Holly Lodge, Richmond Park with travel to all Royal Parks

Grade and Salary: Grade III (Exec), £32,430- £39,191

Reporting to: Director of Parks and Deputy Chief Executive

Relationships:

Responsible to the Director of Parks and Deputy Chief Executive.

Line management of two FTE staff Ecology Officer (Grade II) and GiGL Royal Parks Officer (contracted post: Grade II equivalent).

Working with a range of external partners, volunteers and stakeholder groups.

Important Functional Relationships within TRP:

Park Management teams and office staff, The Parks Services Team, Wildlife Officers, Education team, plus other Headquarters-based teams (Project management teams, IT, Estates, Media and Communications).

Important External Relationships:

Consultants, contractors, local authorities and other government departments and agencies, wildlife trusts and other wildlife conservation NGOs, Richmond Biodiversity Partnership and other such partnerships, academic institutions, DCMS, Defra, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Greenspace information for Greater London (GIGL), wildlife and friends groups, volunteers and members of the public, the public media (in consultation with TRP communications team).

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

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To lead the provision of the services and information required to enable TRP to protect, conserve and enhance the natural environments and biodiversity of The Royal Parks.

To lead on the gathering and management of environmental and biodiversity information. As well as facilitating data exchange with partner organisations and stakeholders.

To work in partnership with our diverse stakeholders to promote the ecological management of The Royal Parks in the context of local, regional & national priorities for biodiversity conservation.

To play a strong supporting role in delivering the benefits of biodiversity to our diverse audiences and future generations through engagement with the surrounding communities.

To work to raise the professional profile of the TRP as an example of best practice at local, regional, national and international levels.

To work with the Head of Parks and Deputy Chief Executive and Ecology Unit staff to manage the Ecology Unit and its budget in order to deliver corporate objectives.

Managing the further development and implementation of the current Biological Recording Strategy – with annually updated objectives derived from the recommendations of The Royal Parks Biological Recording Strategy (2001) which includes the following:

1) Overseeing the management of the TRP Recorder 6 database and GIS system (MapInfo v.11) via an annually renewed contracted service from Greenspace Information for Greater London (GiGL) that provides 1 FTE member of staff dedicated to TRP plus partnership services.

2) Carrying out data entry, management, reporting and statistical analysis of data as required. Data may derive from surveys, inspections and records provided by contracted survey projects, staff, volunteers and research projects.

3) To encourage, co-ordinate and manage volunteers to survey and provide data for the biological database and for ecological monitoring together with providing the necessary training and support.

4) To reinforce and build capability in the provision of ecological information services, including Information System development – to keep abreast of changes in software and system capability and the requirements of internal and external customers.

To carry out, participate in and deliver relevant species and habitat surveys and projects e.g. to carry out field and laboratory work, research and data gathering.

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To participate in (e.g. with TRP colleagues and partners), deliver and lead on wildlife conservation partnerships (e.g. Biodiversity Action Plans) of local, regional and national importance, taking a pro-active role when liaising and working with colleagues both within TRP and from external partners including local groups, governmental and non-governmental bodies.

To provide specialist advice. To research and prepare material, including the drafting of documents for meetings and presentations, the preparation of reports and publications.

To take overall responsibility for the management of the Ecology Section’s finances, and the procurement of goods and services.

To deal with relevant enquiries on ecological matters from internal and external customers including various stakeholder groups, volunteers, students and researchers.

To maintain relevant Continuing Professional Development, including attendance at relevant conferences/workshops/seminars, exhibitions and training courses to keep abreast of current industry standards.

To liaise with Natural England and individual Park Managers to ensure compliance with current nature conservation designations and protected species legislation.

To be aware of his/her responsibilities as described in the Health & Safety Manual and summarized in the Health and Safety Handbook and in particular to implement the policy in his/her area of responsibility.

To contribute to the DCMS Science Research Advisory Committee.

Other relevant duties that may be agreed with the Line Manager from time to time.

Other duties:

To contribute to the management and conservation of the historic landscape and tree resource.

To assist with the organisation, development and promotion of the Royal Parks Wildlife Groups including help with display and promotional material.

To provide specialist advice on specific fundraising opportunities for Biological recording and biological initiatives.

To assist with lifelong learning and community development strategies with particular regard to social inclusion and outreach opportunities.

To provide information and support to outside organisations as requested by the Director of parks.

Some out of hours working is required.

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Person Specification:(Please refer to the competency framework)

PERFORMANCE CLUSTER – DELIVERING RESULTS Desirable /

EssentialManaging a Quality Service Develop, implement, maintain and review systems and service standards to provide quality, efficiency and value for money. EAbility to plan and deliver practical wildlife conservation work programmes. EShould hold a relevant degree (or equivalent) in wildlife conversation or environmental studies preferably with a relevant postgraduate qualification (e.g. MSc or PhD).

E

At least three years post-qualification experience in the field of wildlife conservation, preferably sufficient to become a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecologists and Environmental Managers.

E

Good understanding of ecological land management principles and conservation of historic landscapes. D

Delivering at PaceRegularly monitor own team’s work against milestones or targets and act promptly to keep work on track and maintain performance. E

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Take responsibility for delivering expected outcomes on time and to standard, giving credit to team and individuals as appropriate. EAbility to train and manage the performance of volunteers/temporary staff assisting the work of the ecology section.Experience of preparing information for external audits, such as ISO14001. EGood working knowledge of and ability to use a range of IT Software programmes including routine use of Microsoft Office (particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

E

PEOPLE CLUSTER – ENGAGING PEOPLELeading and Communicating Take opportunities to regularly communicate and interact with staff, helping to clarify goals and activities and the links between these and departmental strategy.

E

Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills and the ability to communicate well at all levels both within and outside of the Royal Parks. Able to represent TRP at conferences and workshops and to deal with enquiries from volunteers/shareholder groups/outside organisations.

D

Be able to demonstrate leadership of partnership projects e.g. in the implementation and monitoring of Biodiversity Action Plans such as the Richmond Pond Habitat Action Plan.

D

Collaborating and PartneringEncourage collaborative team working within own team and across department. DProven ability in team leadership and motivation. Experience of line-managing staff and volunteers. EThe ability to share knowledge and skills with colleagues (including volunteers) and to contribute to the development of team skills. D

STRATEGIC CLUSTER – SETTING DIRECTIONSeeing the Big Picture Seek to understand how the services, activities and strategies in the area work together to create value for the customer/end user. ESound knowledge of the principles and practice of biological recording preferably with some understanding experience of using a biological records database and GIS (Geographical Information System). TRP currently uses Recorder 6 and MapInfo v.11.

E

Changing and Improving Regularly review procedures or systems with teams to identify improvements and simplify processes and decision making. EAble to demonstrate a highly motivated, flexible and innovative approach to work. Think creatively and to use initiative to solve problems in problems in potentially variable and diverse situations. Show good time management skills and be able to prioritise work accordingly.

E

Making Effective Decisions Identify a range of relevant and credible information sources and recognise the need to collect new data when necessary from internal and external sources.

E

A sound understanding of national and regional legislation and policy relevant to biodiversity conservation, planning guidance, site

E

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designation for wildlife conservation and species status designations.

See the Civil Service competency framework for further information on civil service competencies.

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