Parks Enforcement Officer

Parks Enforcement Officer

Company Description

Established as an independent charity in 1992, The Parks Trust expertly cares for over 6,000 acres of beautiful and inspirational green space in Milton Keynes including parks, ancient woodlands, lakes, river valleys and 80 miles of landscaped areas along the city’s grid roads.

In most towns and cities, parkland is owned by the local authority, but Milton Keynes’ founders were pioneers and decided to do things differently. Their vision was to create a new town where the parkland and landscapes would be protected forever by a charity that was separate from local government. Doing so would ensure that, as the new town grew, its green spaces would never be compromised or have to fight for funding.

That all became a reality when The Parks Trust was set up in 1992. The new charity was given a 999-year lease on a total of 4,500 acres of Milton Keynes and an endowment of property valued at £20m. Returns on these carefully managed investments generate the primary source of income required to fund the charity’s wide-ranging work today and forever.

Over 100 staff and 240 volunteers deliver the essential work of The Parks Trust. In addition to landscaping and maintenance tasks, that also includes providing valuable recreation and leisure facilities, connecting communities at over 500 outdoor events each year, and advancing public education around the wildlife, biodiversity, and the environment.

As Milton Keynes grows, so does The Parks Trust. Each year, the charity takes on new green spaces and endowments from developers to cover costs in perpetuity. This approach ensures that all new areas of the city benefit from the same quality of inspiring, connected landscape and Milton Keynes remains a great place to live, work and play.

Position

Parks Enforcement Officer

The Parks Trust is seeking a Parks Enforcement Officer to help protect and enhance our unique Green Estate. Working as part of the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) with Thames Valley Police, this role offers a unique opportunity to receive specialist accredited training and develop valuable enforcement and community safety skills. You will work alongside police and local authority partners to address anti-social behaviour and help ensure our parks remain safe, welcoming spaces for everyone. The accreditation provides a range of delegated enforcement powers, including the authority to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for specific offences.

Hours

You will be employed on an annualised hours contract, working:

• 30 hours per week October-March
• 45 hours per week April-September (with some flexibility in actual working hours)

This will include regular weekend, evening and bank holiday work. These shifts will vary, so flexibility for the role is essential.

Salary

Starting at £33,500 per annum and rising as the successful candidate demonstrates required effectiveness.

Requirements

The Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic Parks Enforcement Officer to help create a safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment across The Parks Trust estate. As a visible presence on Trust land, you will play an important role in supporting public safety, investigating incidents of anti-social behaviour and environmental crime, and working with visitors, local communities and partner organisations to protect and enhance our parks.

This is a varied and predominantly outdoor role that will suit someone who enjoys working with people, spending time outdoors and helping to keep public spaces safe and welcoming. Much of your time will be spent patrolling targeted areas, engaging with visitors and providing advice and guidance.

Where necessary, you will use delegated enforcement powers, issue Fixed Penalty Notices and take other authorised enforcement action to address breaches of Trust rules and relevant legislation. You will investigate anti-social behaviour, environmental crime and other estate-related matters, gathering evidence, preparing reports and supporting enforcement action where appropriate.

Working closely with Thames Valley Police, Milton Keynes City Council and other partner organisations, you will contribute to joint operations, investigations and wider community safety initiatives. Regular patrols across the Parks Trust estate will be required throughout the year and in all weather conditions

The Person

You will be an excellent communicator with experience of working with the public and building positive relationships with a wide range of people. Ideally, you will have experience in an enforcement, community safety, security or similar operational role, where you have been required to apply rules, policies or statutory powers confidently and fairly.

We are looking for someone who is calm, resilient and professional, with the ability to influence behaviour, manage challenging situations and make sound decisions under pressure. You will be well organised, self-motivated and comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.

This role requires confidence in engaging with individuals and groups, including in challenging or confrontational situations. As much of the role involves lone working and patrolling across the estate, you must be able to exercise good judgement, assess risk effectively and remain professional in potentially volatile circumstances.

Key Objectives

• Maintain a safe, welcoming and well-managed environment across The Parks Trust estate through proactive patrols, engagement and enforcement activity.
• Investigate and address environmental crime, anti-social behaviour and other estate-related issues, ensuring appropriate evidence gathering, record keeping and case management.
• Apply delegated enforcement powers lawfully, consistently and fairly to support compliance with Trust rules and relevant legislation.
• Work collaboratively with communities, visitors and partner agencies to reduce risk, promote responsible use of Trust spaces and support effective operational outcomes.

Essential Requirements

• Experience in enforcement, investigation, community safety, security or a similar operational role.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to deal confidently with challenging situations.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement and manage risk effectively.
• Good IT skills and the ability to maintain accurate records and reports.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
• Full driving licence (a Trust vehicle will be provided for operational duties)

The successful candidate will be required to complete police vetting and appropriate Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) training which will be provided. Failure to pass or complete the vetting process or CSAS training course will result in termination of the employment contract. Applicants are required to provide a five-year history of addresses and employment history with no gaps.

Other information

In return, we offer a comprehensive benefits package:

• Ongoing support and training
• Excellent contributory pension scheme (up to 10% employer contribution)
• Income protection and life assurance cover after qualifying period
• Enhanced family friendly policies after qualifying period
• Occupational sick pay
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Salary sacrifice schemes for tech & electric cars
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Wellbeing day off each year
• Buying and Selling option for annual leave
• Medical Cash Plan
• Access to employee wellbeing helpline
• Free eye tests
• Great office in a park land setting with free parking

Application process

Please apply online using the link through our website using Cezanne.

Deadline for applications:

1st Stage Interviews – w/c 5 October 2026

2nd Stage Interviews – w/c 12 October 2026

The Parks Trust is committed to safeguarding and will always recruit all personnel in line with government guidelines, relevant legislation, Charity Commission guidance and best practice standards.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

If you need additional support with your application or would like further information, please contact recruitment@theparkstrust.com.