Ridgeway Officer

Job reference: OCC614426
Salary range: £43,421 – £46,464 pro-rata, per annum (actual salary £26,052 – £27,878 per annum)
Work location: Countryside Operations, Sutton Farm, near Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 5RD but
working extensively on an agile basis
Hours per week: 22.20
Contract type: Permanent

About The Ridgeway

The Ridgeway is one of only 16 National Trails across England and Wales and in 2023 celebrated
the 50th anniversary of its establishment as a National Trail. From its start in the World
Heritage Site of Avebury, it follows a ridge of chalk hills in a north-easterly direction for
87 miles (139 Km) to reach Ivinghoe Beacon lying to the northwest of London.

With a history dating back over 5,000 years, The Ridgeway still follows the same route over the
high ground used since prehistoric times by travellers, herdsmen and soldiers. Today it is
popular with walkers, runners, cyclists, horse riders and disabled people using mobility
scooters.

About You and the Role

This is a complex, demanding but ultimately rewarding role. We are looking for an engaging and
solutions-focused individual to lead the way and maximise the full potential of The Ridgeway as
a world class Trail to be enjoyed by a diversity of people and bring benefits for biodiversity
and the local & rural economy.

The postholder must be a keen collaborator, working with a diverse & supportive Ridgeway
Partnership to realise a shared Delivery Framework and to focus resources. There are existing
commitments to be completed, including the Ridgeway Riding Route and Strategic Links project,
as well as opportunity to develop and fundraise for new projects. You will also line manage two
staff delivering the recently launched Historic Ridgeway Project.

Whilst a major part of this role is to maintain and enhance the physical condition and
accessibility of the Trail, your influence and interests can extend far beyond this. You will
need to be an advocate for The Ridgeway through engagement with users, local authorities,
businesses, and community organisations to promote, develop, and enhance the Trail, increasing
usage and improving the visitor experience.

The role requires experience in operational countryside access management ideally on Public
Rights of Way, but it is vital this is balanced with knowledge of the outdoor leisure sector,
landscape management, sustainable rural tourism and delivering work in partnership with a wide
body of interest. We are looking for a dynamic person to develop new projects and approaches,
with a business acumen to attract new funding sources to deliver real on-the-ground
improvements.

This post is principally funded by Natural England with match funding from local highway
authorities and the Chilterns & North Wessex Downs National Landscapes. It is hosted on
behalf of the partnership by Oxfordshire County Council. For more information on The Ridgeway
visit the website at: The Ridgeway – National
Trails

Rewards and benefits

• Culture of flexible working
• Technology to support agile working where role permits
• Up to 33 days holiday p.a. plus bank holidays
• Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s
  contribution of up to 19.9%
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development

Would you like to know more?

Please click here for the Job Description.

If you’d like a challenge & feel you have something to offer please contact Hugh Potter,
Operations Manager – Countryside Access & Tree Service on 07766 998704 for an informal
discussion regarding the role.

Application Procedure

To apply, please complete an online application form by clicking either of the Apply
Now buttons at the top and bottom of this advert. This includes a section asking you
to explain how you meet the selection criteria, as specified in the job posting. You may attach
a cover letter and/or CV to your application form, however it is not mandatory.

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Closing date: Sunday 25 February 2024.

Interviews: Tuesday 5 March 2024.