Wakefield Countryside Activities Officer

£27,985, based on a 40-hour week. 5% employers pension contribution.
Fixed-term, two-year contract initially. Job share considered.
23 days annual leave (rising to 28 days after five years) plus public holidays.

Open Country is an inspirational Yorkshire-based charity with Hubs in Harrogate, Teesside and Wakefield. We seek to enable people with any form of disability to access and enjoy the countryside. We achieve this through a diverse and exciting programme of countryside activities and the provision of information, training and advice.

Your role will help sustain and develop our countryside activities programme in Wakefield. It will include nature conservation and horticultural therapy, tandem cycling and educational trips at weekends. You would work at the heart of this dynamic charity, within a small, professional and above all, friendly team.

The role is mostly 'hands-on-get-stuck-in' activity delivery with weekly time to allow for project development and admin. You will work alongside adults with all sorts of disabilities. You will be out in all weathers, in all manner of countryside settings. There will be a need to work one or two weekends each month, plus some evening work. We can (we hope!) guarantee you will find the work fun, well-respected and very rewarding.

The successful candidate will ideally have previous countryside experience, but we will also consider candidates who can demonstrate that they have transferable skills from other sectors. They should be self-reliant, resilient and have excellent verbal, written, social media and people skills. A full driving licence is essential; a D1 qualification is desirable..

Successful candidates will receive a Disclosure & Barring Service check.

Closing Date: 17th September 2025

JOB PROFILE: Wakefield Countryside Activities Officer  
JOB PURPOSE: To help maintain and extend the Open Country countryside activities programme in Wakefield.
RESPONSIBLE TO: Open Country Wild about Wakefield Hub Manager.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Promote the work of our ever-growing Wakefield activities, including co-ordinating the volunteers for your activity group sessions.
2. Run the weekly Wakefield Tandem Club (April - October only).
3. Co-ordinate and lead our weekly Wakefield Nature Force conservation work party.
4. Co-ordinate and lead the weekly Wild Things group, carrying out horticultural therapy projects and environmental education study at our base at Thornes Park, with occasional trips further afield.
5. Co-ordinate and lead some weekend Outings and Adventure Club groups.
6. Maintain the Wakefield-based minibuses and trailer in good condition.
7. Undertake training as required, such as MiDAS, Safeguarding and First Aid.
8. Undertake whatever duties are allocated by the Wakefield Hub Manager to ensure that Open Country offers a high quality and caring service at all times. This may include providing staff cover for holidays and illness.
9. Abide by all our policies, paying particular attention to our commitments to Health & Safety and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion.