Simon Needle Email & Phone Number

England, United Kingdom

Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

Leading on implementation of Birmingham's Urban Forest Masterplan, development and implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain policy. Climate Adaptation through Nature Based Solutions

Birmingham, United Kingdom

Principal Arboricuturalist with the City Design Team. Dealing with TPO's, Tree works in Conservation Areas and Planning Applications. Contributing to strategy and policy documents and providing arboricultural advice accross the directorates.

Birmingham, United Kingdom

Providing ecological and biodiversity advice and guidence accross all departments at Birmingham City Council but primarily for planning. Contributing to policy and strategy documents, input into HS2 consultation, SuDS design document and regeneration masterplans.Working to deliver biodiversity gains in partnership with adjoining LA's, The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country and Birminghams' Ranger Service.

Birmingham, United Kingdom

Working to manage woodlands accross birmingham to bring them into management and deliver biodiversity benefits through sustainable management. Delivering Conservation tasks throughout Birmingham including Higher Level Stewardships at County parks, LNR's and NNR's for Heathland and Grassland.

Woodgate Valley Country Park

Woodgate Valley Country Park is a 450 acre site in the south west of Birmingham; it's situated in an urban area with areas of social deprivation. It consists of woodland, wetland and old hay meadows. There is an onsite pony trekking centre and a charity run Urban Farm. I was responsible for the overall direction of the park setting the priorities for work and targets to be achieved by the team. I also worked at a more strategic level within the wider Ranger Service co-ordinating the city… Show more Woodgate Valley Country Park is a 450 acre site in the south west of Birmingham; it's situated in an urban area with areas of social deprivation. It consists of woodland, wetland and old hay meadows. There is an onsite pony trekking centre and a charity run Urban Farm. I was responsible for the overall direction of the park setting the priorities for work and targets to be achieved by the team. I also worked at a more strategic level within the wider Ranger Service co-ordinating the city wide “Out and About” events booklet and collating and editing the Ranger Service Annual Performance Report (the first of its kind within the Parks Department). Whilst based at this site I applied for the Natural England “Country Park Accreditation” and was one the first 10 nationally and the first Country Park within the midlands to achieve this standard.Key duties:• Overall responsibility for the management of the site• Overall responsibility for all immediate and arising employment matters, including matters of discipline, grievance, performance and welfare and manage the PDR process and sickness absence policy.• Liaise with all client groups such as Constituency Park managers, members of the Ranger Service and outside organisations such as the Forestry Commission and stake holders.• To ensure compliance with all statutory legislation; Wildlife and Countryside Act, Countryside and Rights Of Way Act etc.• Ensure that all health and safety requirements are met including completing all Risk Assessments and compliance with all Health and Safety policies.• To develop annual service plans for the ranger team including the identification of service targets and goals. To report on the progress and performance of the service area against set objectives.• Controlling and monitoring of the site and project budgets, retail and grant income. • Be responsible for and give direction to the pony trekking manager Show less

Lickey Hills Country Park

As the Ranger I had responsibility for the day to day management of the 540 acre Country Park and the ranger team ensuring that staffing levels were appropriate for the daily demands. As one of the premiere parks within Birmingham we were the first in the city to apply for Green Flag accreditation which was achieved at first application and has now been held for 14 successive years.Key duties:• Responsibility for the day to day running and maintenance of the site and buildings.… Show more As the Ranger I had responsibility for the day to day management of the 540 acre Country Park and the ranger team ensuring that staffing levels were appropriate for the daily demands. As one of the premiere parks within Birmingham we were the first in the city to apply for Green Flag accreditation which was achieved at first application and has now been held for 14 successive years.Key duties:• Responsibility for the day to day running and maintenance of the site and buildings. • Managing and the delivery of environmental education sessions and developing new activities.• Devising a year round programme of free and charged public events for the site• Creating and delivering information in a variety of formats including, leaflets, power point presentations, webpages, scientific equipment and displays.• Interpreting, implementing and updating the site management plan to account for nature conservation, public access and the historical context.• Co-ordination and induction training of volunteers attending work days.• Delivery of training for NVQ level 2 & 3 in Environmental Conservation.• Managing the development of the information and sales area and café.• Delivering Sustainability Information and guidance to Birmingham City Council.• Delivering sustainability educational programme to Birmingham Schools through the Biodiversity Charter programme.• Undertake the annual risk assessments for the site, infrastructure, buildings and activities.• Liaison with statutory bodies such as Environment Agency, Natural England etc.• Act as point of contact for contractors undertaking site works and repairs.• Responsibility for ordering goods for the retail outlet and equipment/ resources for the rangers. Show less

Woodgate Valley And Cannon Hill Park

As an assistant ranger I was responsible for the delivery of events and education sessions and undertaking conservation tasks. I would also be expected to assist at the large scale events within the park some of which attracted over 30,000 attendees.Key duties:• Deliver educational activities and public events.• Assist visitors to the park by providing information and directions.• Ensure compliance with the park bye laws• Ensure tools, equipment and vehicles were… Show more As an assistant ranger I was responsible for the delivery of events and education sessions and undertaking conservation tasks. I would also be expected to assist at the large scale events within the park some of which attracted over 30,000 attendees.Key duties:• Deliver educational activities and public events.• Assist visitors to the park by providing information and directions.• Ensure compliance with the park bye laws• Ensure tools, equipment and vehicles were maintained.• Undertake site surveys (flora, fauna and public usage etc.) Show less

Birmingham, United Kingdom

• Responsible for carrying out pruning operations to trees to recognised standards• Interpreting written technical specifications• General site safety – including road signage and cones, safety of other climbers• Maintenance of vehicles and plant equipment

Ecology, Conservation & Engagement. A small company offering a range of services within the natural environment incliding; ecological surveys, land, tree and woodland management advice and corporate and comunity engagement activities.

Manor Farm, Chadwick, Worcestershire

• Responsible for the day to day care of dairy cattle and sheep – feeding, health monitoring, milking, calving and lambing.• Responsible for building maintenance and cleaning including milking parlour• Maintenance of agricultural machinery, plant equipment and tractors• Working in Farm Shop - weighing fruit/ vegetables, bottling milk and cream, cash handling etc.

Level 6 Diploma In Arboriculture, Arboriculture, On Going

Level 2 Rfs Certificate Of Arboriculture

Hnc, Agriculture, General

Studied full range of Agri activities including livestock and crop husbandry

Education record