Ridgeway Officer

**Job details**:
**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

**Closing date**: Sunday 25th February 2024

**Interviews**:Tuesday 5th March 2024

**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 Descripti**on**

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**:
**_Our commitment to:_**
**_Equality, Diversity and Inclusion_**
- At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.**_Our commitment to:_**
**_Guaranteed Interview Schemes_**
- As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential c