JOB DESCRIPTION AND RELATED POST DETAILS
DEPT:
Leisure and Environment
SECTION:
Leisure - Play Development
JOB TITLE:
Part Time Play Ranger
Three Rivers House, parks, POST CODE:
open spaces and woodland
in Leavesden, Mill End and
South Oxhey
Play Development Officer
RESPONSIBLE TO:
LOCATION:
GRADE:
Scale
5
DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR:
INDIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR:
Casual Play Rangers
volunteers and other casual employees.
FUNCTIONAL CONTACTS:
With all departments of the Council, park
rangers, grounds staff and councillors.
EXTERNAL CONTACTS:
HCC Children, School’s & Family Services,
Children’s Centre Managers, Extended
School’s Co-ordinators, Voluntary bodies
Local community groups and schools.
Members of public; media, other local
authorities.
PLACE IN ORGANISATION CHART OF DEPARTMENT:
HEAD OF LEISURE
LEISURE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Play Development Officer
Senior Play Ranger
Play Rangers X 2
Casual Play Rangers
OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF JOB:
To promote play opportunities for children within open spaces and woodland within
their neighbourhoods. Through outreach work, advocate children’s right to play
effectively and creatively whilst engaging the community.
PREPARED BY:
AGREED BY HEAD OF DEPT:
AGREED BY POSTHOLDER:
INITIALS : ST
SIGNATURE :
SIGNATURE :
DATE : Jan 08
Date amended:
DATE :
DATE :
SUMMARY OF MAIN DUTIES
The provision, promotion, development and management of outdoor play opportunities for
children and young people aged 5 to 18 throughout the Three Rivers District.
Strategic Responsibilities:
1) To be an advocate for children’s rights to play, to be listened to and to be safe.
2) To work in partnership with the local community, schools, clubs and voluntary
groups to support access to play opportunities and to promote a positive image of
play in the district.
3) To promote environmental awareness and sustainable development through Play
Ranger projects.
Monitoring Responsibilities:
4) To monitor & record all designated targets set out in the Play Strategy and BIG
Lottery bid, using departmental, corporate and Lottery performance indicator formats.
Operational Responsibilities:
5) To provide and promote inclusive play opportunities for all children whatever their
abilities, through the use of parks, open spaces and woodland in Leavesden, Mill End
and South Oxhey.
6) To consult with children and young people about the play opportunities they wish
to develop, supporting new projects and events.
7) To support the use of recreational space by all members of the community
through play activities directed at children.
8) To consult with children and young people to develop and improve parks, open
spaces and woodlands in respect of landscaping and natural play equipment.
9) To complete appropriate administration tasks in relation to the project including,
monitoring reports, Risk Assessments, session reports etc.
10) To review policies and procedures for the Play Ranger projects alongside the Play
Development Officer & Senior Play Ranger.
11) To report to the Senior Play Ranger and Play Development Officer through regular
supervision and reports.
Other Responsibilities:
12) To attend regular team meetings.
13) To be available to work unsociable & varied hours.
14) To undertake other duties which may be delegated from time to time and which
are appropriate to the grading of the post.
IMPORTANT NOTES RELATING TO DUTIES
In dealing with any form of contract or tendering procedures on behalf of the Council, the
holder of this post is personally responsible for ensuring that he/she:a) is familiar with the relevant requirements of Council's Constitution, Contracts Procedures
Rules and Financial Procedure Rules, Code of Official Conduct and other management
guidance that may be given from time to time;
b) complies with these formal requirements and related procedures; and
c) seeks advice from a more senior officer if in any doubt about the proper course of action.
NB
This job is as currently perceived but management reserve the right to alter it in consultation
with the post-holder in order to update it and take account of any changes identified. It is
anticipated that annual appraisal will lead to updating of the job description.
Assessment Key:
A
I
P
T
Application Form
Interview
Presentation
Test
ESSENTIAL
NB this criteria is the
minimum criteria an
applicant must meet in
order to be selected for
an interview
DESIRABLE
Basic education in reading
writing and numeracy at
GCSE level (Grade A to
C).
Youth, Sport or Play
qualification.
Child Protection
Training.
First Aid Training.
A
Playwork
qualification.
A
A Diploma / Degree
in a recreation
discipline.
A
Consulting with
children.
Working in an
inclusive setting.
A/I
Experience of
working in a play
setting.
A/I
Advocating and
promoting children’s
rights and
involvement in
decision making.
Awareness of Three
Rivers Play Strategy.
A/P
Assessment
REQUIREMENT FOR JOB
1. EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
GENERAL
JOB RELATED
Professional / Vocational
2. EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
GENERAL
Duration, Type & Level
JOB RELATED
Duration, Type & Level
KNOWLEDGE
Working with community
groups and individuals.
At least 1 years
experience of working with
a wide range of children &
young people in
community based,
Playwork or youth work
settings either paid or
voluntary.
An awareness of the
importance of children’s
right to play.
An understanding of play
principles and the role of
adults.
A basic knowledge of
governments ‘Every Child
Matters’ and associated
‘Safeguarding Children’
protocols.
A/I
I/P
A/I
3. SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES
ICT
MANAGEMENT / SUPERVISION
TEAMWORKING
Sound academic Skills
(completing forms,
monitoring and evaluation)
Demonstrate
organisational and
administration
abilities.
A
A/I
Ability to work effectively
as part of a team.
Ability to communicate
with children, young
people and adults.
Ability to use initiative.
A/I
Ability to create and lead
a range of play activities to
a variety of age groups
T
A/I
Person Specification drawn up by :
Flexible approach to
working hours and the
varying demands of the
post.
A current driving licence
and personal transport.
Ability to work in a variety
of community based
settings.
Ability to work outdoors in
all weather, all year round.
The nature of this post will
involve physical elements
such as lifting, carrying,
building and running, all in
an outdoor environment
throughout the year.
The post holder will be
required to complete entry
level and ongoing training
in Playwork throughout the
duration of the post.
S. Topping
Position :
Play Development Officer
COMMUNICATION
MOTIVATION
COMMITMENT
OTHER WORK RELATED SKILLS
Specify
I/T
A/I
4. OTHER FACTORS
WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
ABILITY TO DRIVE
LOCATION
OTHER
- Training
Personnel Department check by :
Position :
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
MAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: The conditions of Service are as
laid down by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services.
(a)
Salary Grade : Scale 5 within range £19,621 to £21,519 pro rata per annum fixed
term for 3 years. Starting salary will be subject to negotiation. Increments within the
scale will be paid, subject to satisfactory service, on 1st April each year (subject to
having been in post for 6 months) until the post-holder reaches the maximum
incremental point on the scale. The salary scales themselves are normally reviewed
at National level on 1st April each year. In addition to the basic salary, the London
(Inner Fringe) Weighting Allowance of £798 per annum is payable. Pro-rata of these
figures apply to part time positions.
(b)
Annual Holiday : 28 working days (30 after 5 years Local Government service) plus
statutory holidays. Pro-rata of these figures apply to part time positions.
(c)
Hours of Work : The normal working week for the post is 15 hours face to face
playwork on weekdays after school/early evening & weekends. The post holder must
have a willingness and flexibility to vary and adapt their work routine.
(d)
Probationary Service : The appointment of every new entrant to Local Government
Service is subject to a period of probationary service of not less than 3 months or
more than 6 months. At the end of the probationary period, subject to a satisfactory
report from the Head of Department, the appointment is confirmed.
(e)
Pension Scheme : Employees of the Council are automatically included in the Local
Government Pension Scheme. The Scheme is administered on the Council’s behalf
by Hertfordshire County Council. Employee contributions are 6% of salary. Should
employees not wish to join the scheme then they must opt out using the appropriate
form.
(f)
Medical Report : Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory medical report from the
Council’s Medical Adviser or from your own Doctor if you live a long way from the
District. If a medical report is requested from a doctor who has at any time attended
you, we will seek your consent to the request under the Access to Medical Reports
Act 1988.
(g)
Criminal Records Bureau Check : Successful applicants will be appointed subject to
clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau POCA and POVA check in addition to
receiving suitable references.
(h)
Car Allowance : Mileage will be paid at casual user rate to the post holder for car
travel undertaken on Council business.
(i)
No Smoking Policy : Council buildings are smoke free.
restrictions will result in disciplinary action.
COMPLETED APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO :
HUMAN RESOURCES
Three Rivers District Council
Northway
Rickmansworth
WD3 1RL
Infringements of the