Welcome

Entertaining your community in local government parks management 
 
Introduction
Local government parks officers oversee the maintenance, management and development of a local council's parks and recreational open spaces.  It is their job to ensure that parks and open spaces meet the needs of the local community, but also take into account environmental considerations. 
 
Work Environment
Local government parks officers are office-based, but spend a lot of their time outdoors visiting parks and open spaces.

Daily Activities
Local government parks officers manage and monitor the upkeep and maintenance of parks and open spaces, they also develop plans to improve park facilities and promote the use of recreational open spaces. Their duties may include some or all of the following:

• monitoring the council's grounds maintenance programme - this may include managing council staff employed to carry out this work, or supervising the work of external contractors;
• ensuring parks maintenance work is carried out to the highest standard, on time and on budget;
• working together with grounds maintenance staff and landscape architects to regenerate and develop horticultural features, such as plant beds and parks facilities, such as playground areas;
• consulting with park users and other members of the local community regarding their use of parks and open spaces and to establish their future needs;
• developing strategic plans for improvement of parks and open spaces based on public consultation;
• promoting the use of parks and open spaces and developing activities to improve public usage;
• working in partnership with community safety colleagues within the councils and the Police to improve public safety in parks and open spaces;
• responding to public enquiries and complaints, and writing up reports;
• health and safety management which would cover employees and the safe upkeep of the amenities.

Skills & Interests
Local government parks officers need:

• to be excellent communicators with good people management skills;
• a knowledge of conservation and horticulture;
• good contract, budget and project management skills;
• good analytical skills;
• to be practical and innovative problem solvers;
• report writing skills.

Entry Requirements
Local government parks officers are usually expected to have relevant experience and qualifications to support their application. You might enter after gaining a relevant HND or degree in horticulture, amenity horticulture, countryside/landscape management, or other related area. An IOSH qualification is expected. Some parks departments are responsible for managing playground equipment in accordance to BS EN 1176/1177 for which the European Safety Standards Diploma would be a requirement. A Supervisory/Management qualification is also a requirement.

You might start your career as a gardener or a member of the grounds maintenance staff and work your way up.  N/SVQs or an Apprenticeship in amenity horticulture might be available for you to gain qualifications while you work.  The Royal Horticultural Society also run a number of relevant training courses.
It is likely that you will also need a full driving licence.
 
Future Prospects & Opportunities
There may be opportunities to move into more senior managerial positions within the local council parks and open spaces department.  There may also be opportunities to progress into management within other service areas such as countryside management, sport and recreation, or street scene. 
 
Further Information & Services
Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport & Physical Activity www.cimspa.co.uk
Lantra www.lantra.co.uk
Royal Horticultural Society www.rhs.org.uk

You may find further information about this area of work through Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or in your local library, careers office or school careers library.