Public Rights of Way Officer

Hourly rate: £20.83 per hour Location: Warrington Job Type: Full-time, 37 hours per week

We are seeking a dedicated Public Rights of Way Officer to lead in the management and legal processes associated with public rights of way. This role is crucial for maintaining and enhancing access to public paths, ensuring legal compliance, and engaging with the community and stakeholders to promote and improve public rights of way.

Day-to-Day of the Role:

• Lead the continuous review of the definitive rights of way map and statement.
• Produce, review, and update the Rights of Way Improvement Plan.
• Process applications to divert, extinguish, create, or re-classify rights of way and other access means.
• Maintain records and registers in compliance with data protection regulations.
• Enforce public path rights and address highways act offences.
• Coordinate inspection regimes to comply with legislation and protect the council from third-party claims.
• Support and represent the council in the Local Access Forum.
• Promote and procure maintenance and improvement work programmes.
• Ensure public rights of way are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.
• Manage budgets, prepare funding bids, and draft reports for council committees.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience in financial management and budgetary control is desirable.
• Essential experience includes dealing with high-profile individuals such as Council Members and MPs, understanding statutory requirements related to public rights of way, and managing legal processes for rights of way.
• Ability to analyze situations, develop solutions, and maintain cooperative working relationships with various stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in using bespoke and corporate computer systems.
• Full UK driving licence is required.
• Flexibility to attend meetings and respond to emergencies outside normal working hours.