Job title: Public Rights of Way Community Engagement and Enforcement Officer

Salary: S01 (£34,434 - £36,363)

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Farnley Hall, Leeds, LS12 5HA (hybrid working offered)

As Public Rights of Way (PROW) Community Engagement and Enforcement Officer in Leeds City Council’s Climate, Energy and Green Space’s service, you’ll thrive on working with communities, landowners and partners to protect, improve and promote the 862 km of public rights of way in Leeds in support of the Council’s Health and Wellbeing and Zero Carbon ambitions.

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to play a vital role helping to deliver the Council’s statutory services in relation to public rights of way including working with members of the public, key stakeholders such as landowners and Leeds Local Access Forum, undertaking enforcement action where required and promoting the benefits of PROW for recreation and active travel.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you:

As a Community Engagement and Enforcement Officer, you will bring to the role:

A commitment to assert and protect the right of the public to use and enjoy public rights of way.
A good understanding of public rights of way law and practice.
An ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative.
Experience of working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders such as ward members, landowners, local residents and community groups.
Good verbal and written communication skills.
The ability to interpret web and paper-based maps and plans of differing scales.
An ability to access, navigate and survey remote outdoor paths efficiently.

About the role

Reporting to the Public Rights of Way Manager, this role provides an opportunity to work across a range of disciplines to contribute towards sustainable and active travel. Public Rights of Way provide an invaluable resource for health and wellbeing activities, principally being routes for walking, horse riding and pedal cycling and are a key element in an interconnected green infrastructure for local communities, who seek good quality, accessible routes.

As a Community Engagement and Enforcement Officer you’ll engage in collaborative work with communities, landowners, user groups and volunteers to protect and improve the rights of way network across Leeds.

The post is a hybrid role with opportunities for home and office working, as well as a requirement to undertake site visits regularly.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements

a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Ben Jackson, Public Rights of Way Manager on Benjamin.jackson@leeds.gov.uk.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose:

To work with landowners, local communities, user groups and other key stakeholders to ensure public rights of way (PROW) remain open, accessible and safe to use in line with the Council’s statutory responsibilities.

Qualifications: Relevant degree or equivalent qualification or experience

Responsibilities

To assist in the management and co-ordination of service provision of the Public Rights of Way (PROW) functional area, including the following disciplines:
To assert and protect the public’s rights in relation to the use of public rights of way
Keeping up to date with public rights of way legislation and good practice.
Work with and support PROW volunteers, user groups, landowners, local residents and the Leeds Local Access Forum to facilitate community engagement and activity for the maintenance and improvement of PROW.
To undertake condition surveys and inspections of the public rights of way network as required.
Act as lead officer for enforcement action on public rights of way issues including serving notice on landowners, undertaking formal interviews under caution for prosecution and acting as a witness in court.
To assist with the development of strategies, working practices and policies including the Rights of Way Improvement Plan.
To undertake marketing and communications to promote the use, understanding and care of PROW.
To work closely with Parish and Town Councils to facilitate the Public Paths Partnership scheme.
To produce Delegated Decision Reports in accordance with approved procedures as required.
To ensure the procurement of goods and services is in accordance with financial regulations, corporate policy and legal requirements.
When necessary to act as a witness for the City Council at Public Inquiry and Court in relation to enforcement, accident investigation and path orders.
Responding to enquiries regarding Public Rights of Way
To work with others across Leeds City Council to achieve positive outcomes
To represent the PROW and wider Climate, Energy and Green Spaces Service at all appropriate internal and external meetings.
To undertake other duties commensurate with post and grade.
To abide by the Council’s policies on equality and diversity in the duties of the post and as an employee of the Council.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview or Certificate.

Skills Required

Ability to communicate and work effectively with a wide range of people individually and in groups
Cartographic skills and the ability to interpret maps and plans of differing scales
Ability to organise time effectively
Accurate record keeping including the ability to write clear and concise reports
Ability to resolve differences using diplomacy and negotiation skills
Ability to work on your own and as part of a team
Able to demonstrate good IT skills (word processing, spreadsheets, databases and GIS)
Able to coordinate community and volunteer engagement to deliver public rights of way objectives
Ability to understand and apply public rights of way legislation.

Knowledge Required

Relevant degree or equivalent qualification/experience
Knowledge and understanding of law and practice in relation to public rights of way
Driving license essential

Experience Required

Proven experience of managing competing priorities and meeting deadlines
Experience of using GIS
Experience of working in relevant profession e.g. public rights of way, green space management, Highways, and/or law and enforcement.
Experience of working with a wide range of different people such as local residents, landowners, ward members, volunteers and special interest groups.

Behavioural & other Characteristics required

Achievement of equal opportunities in both employment and service delivery and an understanding of the Leeds City Council policy
Willingness to take personal responsibility for and abide by the Council’s Health and Safety Policy
A positive commitment to providing excellence in service provision
Commitment to developing effective working relationships internally and with services across the Council.
Proactive in contributing to the ethos of team working within the service.
Ability to access and survey in remote locations with uneven and difficult terrain
A flexible approach to working across the Leeds Metroplolitan area
A positive commitment to providing excellence in service provision.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Skills

Ability to interpret historical documentation and user evidence

Knowledge

Membership or willingness to work towards full membership of IPROW
Knowledge of various types of path construction and access control options.
Understanding of the working practices of Parish and Town Councils

Experience Required

Implementation of Public Rights of Way legislation as a local government officer
Representing a Local Authority at a Local Public Inquiry or Court
Processing Public Path Orders and Definitive Map Modification Order Applications
Understanding of wider countryside issues and legislation
Assessment and administration of grant application

Behavioural & other Characteristics required

To represent the Climate, Energy and Green Spaces service at all appropriate internal and external meetings.
To ensure effective consultation mechanisms in order to develop the work of the Climate, Energy and Green spaces service