Countryside Access Officer: Championing Public Access to East Riding's Natural Heritage

For those with a deep appreciation for the great outdoors and a commitment to preserving public access to our cherished landscapes, this Countryside Access Officer role presents a compelling career opportunity. Joining the dedicated Countryside Access team, you will be instrumental in safeguarding, maintaining, and enriching the Public Rights of Way (PROW) network across the East Riding, ensuring these vital community assets remain safe and accessible for all.

Key Responsibilities and Impact:

This role offers a dynamic and impactful experience, where your efforts will directly contribute to the enjoyment and preservation of our countryside. Your key contributions will include:

• Ensuring Network Integrity: You will be responsible for the safety, accessibility, and legal protection of a diverse range of public rights of way, including footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways, and byways open to all traffic.
• Community Engagement and Problem Solving: A significant aspect of this role involves investigating and resolving reported issues from residents, parish councils, and user groups, with clear and effective communication of outcomes being paramount.
• Infrastructure Oversight: You will oversee essential repairs and maintenance to path surfaces, gates, stiles, bridges, and signage, ensuring the continued functionality and safety of the network.
• Strategic Planning and Mitigation: You will play a crucial role in assessing the impact of development proposals on PROWs and advising on necessary mitigation measures, ensuring development respects and protects public access.
• Collaborative Partnerships: This position thrives on collaboration, working closely with a wide array of stakeholders including landowners, parish councils, contractors, volunteers, and prominent user groups like the Ramblers and the British Horse Society.
• Temporary Access Management: You will manage applications for temporary closures of PROWs, involving site visits and necessary signage, balancing public convenience with operational needs.
• Supporting Statutory Duties: You will provide valuable support to the Definitive Map team in upholding the council’s statutory duties related to public rights of way.
• Rail Trail Stewardship: A unique element of this role involves maintaining rail trails, encompassing inspections, contractor management, and actively promoting trail use.

Advantages for Your Career Path:

This Countryside Access Officer position offers significant advantages for individuals looking to advance their careers in countryside management and public access:

• Hands-On Experience and Legislation: You will gain invaluable practical experience in managing a comprehensive PROW network, deepening your understanding of crucial legislation such as the Highways Act 1980 and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
• Developing Key Skills: The role demands and cultivates strong organisational and prioritisation skills, essential for managing a busy and varied workload, from responding to reports to liaising with diverse stakeholders.
• Building Essential Relationships: You will hone your ability to build positive and effective working relationships with a broad spectrum of individuals and organisations, a critical skill for success in this field.
• Outdoor Work and Practical Application: This is an ideal opportunity for those who enjoy working outdoors in all conditions and applying their knowledge in a practical, on-the-ground setting.
• Contribution to Public Good: You will have the satisfaction of knowing your work directly contributes to the preservation and enhancement of accessible natural spaces for the benefit of the wider community.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

To thrive in this role, candidates should be mindful of the following:

• Experience and Qualifications: Demonstrable hands-on experience in managing public rights of way or countryside access networks is essential. A relevant qualification (HND/diploma or equivalent experience in countryside management) is expected.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and email, are required. Competence in map interpretation (Ordnance Survey and GIS) is also crucial.
• Communication and Teamwork: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are vital for effective collaboration with colleagues, contractors, volunteers, and the public. You should be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.
• Resilience and Self-Motivation: The role requires commitment, self-motivation, and a willingness to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Desirable Attributes: While not mandatory, experience in managing maintenance contracts, producing interpretation materials, working with the voluntary sector, and specialist knowledge in areas such as habitat management, landscape or heritage assessment, or planning systems, would be highly advantageous.

This Countryside Access Officer role offers a unique chance to combine your passion for the countryside with a rewarding career that makes a tangible difference. If you are a proactive, dedicated individual with a love for our landscapes and a commitment to public access, we encourage you to explore this exciting opportunity.