Public Rights of Way Manager - REQ002551

Job title: Public Rights of Way Manager

Salary: PO4 £46,142 - £49,282

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

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

As Public Rights of Way (PROW) Manager in Leeds City Council’s Climate, Energy and Green Space’s service, you’ll thrive on managing and leading a motivated team and working with communities, landowners and partners to record, protect, improve, extend 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 updating our Rights of Way Improvement plan as well as 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 the Public Rights of Way Manager, you will bring to the role:

An in-depth understanding of the responsibilities of local authorities with regards public rights of way, along with the details of relevant law and practice.
Substantial experience of working on Public Rights of Way, having been involved in all or some of the following areas of work: recording, protecting, managing and improving public rights of way and ensuring they remain open and accessible.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
The ability to prioritise and organise work schedules effectively to manage complex workloads and meet tight deadlines.
The ability to lead, manage and motivate staff.
Experience of working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders such as ward members, landowners, local residents and community groups.
The ability to operate at a strategic level.
The ability to interpret web and paper-based maps and plans of differing scales.
An ability to access remote sites efficiently.

About the role

Reporting to the Parks Technical Manager, the role provides an opportunity to work across a range of disciplines to lead the PROW team on protecting, maintaining and improving public rights of way across Leeds along with keeping a record of them on the Definitive Map.

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 and well way-marked routes.

Having a background in working in public rights of way or similar, together with good communication, management and leadership skills, the post holder will work closely with the PROW team, colleagues and partners to record, protect and enhance the public rights of way network across the city.

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

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 guidancefor 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 Emma Trickett, Parks Technical Manager on emma.trickett@leeds.gov.uk.

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 manage the public rights of way (PROW) functional area to deliver the Council’s statutory duties relating to rights of way and support the objectives of Leeds City Council’s Climate, Energy and Green Spaces Service.

Responsibilities

The protection, promotion and improvement of the public rights of way network
To represent the Council on rights of way issues, including statutory provision and maintenance of the whole network.
The efficient management and administration of the Council’s Public Rights of Way functions ensuring compliance with strategic, statutory, legal and best practice requirements
To develop and implement the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP).
To develop and oversee delivery of a prioritised maintenance plan for public rights of way.
To work with colleagues, partners, funders, user groups, volunteers and the general public to protect, promote and improve public rights of way.
To work with landowners to ensure public rights of way remain open and accessible at all times.
Oversee the advertisement of enforcement notices with regards illegal/unauthorised use of Public Rights of Way and supervise enforcement works.
To ensure the accuracy of the Council's responses to requests for modification, closure, and diversion orders.
To represent the PROW team at public inquiries and/or in court as required.
To ensure the delivery of best value services to customers in meeting the objectives of the Council.
Managing and motivating staff, including ensuring that appropriate staff development is in place.
To identify and secure funding to deliver the aims of the public rights of way service.
To oversee communication and engagement with communities and partners in relation to PROW in Leeds.
To manage budgets in relation to the functional area for which the post is responsible.
To ensure effective consultation mechanisms as necessary.
To compile and provide performance information that is accurate and timely as requested.
To represent the Climate, Energy and Green Spaces service at all appropriate internal and external meetings.
To fulfil duties in line with the Best Council Plan, Parks and Green Space Strategy, ROWIP and other relevant Council strategies.
To undertake other duties as may be required from time to time.
To ensure the procurement of goods and services is in accordance with financial regulations, corporate policy and legal requirements.
Willing to take personal responsibility and abide by the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
Willing to abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post and as an employee of the Council.

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

Qualifications

Degree (or above) in relevant subject e.g. Geography or Environmental/Countryside Management or equivalent experience

Skills

Effective written and verbal communication skills with a wide range of people e.g. Members of Parliament, Elected Members, Senior Council Managers, colleagues, landowners, special interest groups and members of the public.
An ability to marshal complex written and numerical data along with arguments in order to present written or verbal reports.
The ability to operate at a strategic level.
The ability to plan and manage budgets effectively.
The ability to prioritise and organise work schedules effectively to meet tight deadlines and manage complex workloads.
Ability to find and implement creative and innovative solutions to complex problems
Experience of supporting complex multi and competing workstreams and/or service development initiatives.
The ability to manage and motivate staff.
Able to work and contribute effectively as a team member.
An ability to lead and manage services in accordance with Leeds City Council’s values and equality standards
The ability to interpret web and paper-based maps and plans of differing scales.
The ability to make effective use of IT systems including Microsoft Office
The ability to understand, interpret and implement a wide range of complex legislation.
An ability to manage and deliver projects to agreed timescales, quality and budget.
Ability and willingness to access remote sites efficiently.
Full driving license

Knowledge

Extensive knowledge of public rights of ways access and countryside legislation and issues affecting the provision and development of the public rights of way network
Full membership of IPROW or demonstrable knowledge to equivalent level.
Knowledge and understanding of the planning system
Knowledge of current operational, managerial and performance management systems.
Good understanding of the strategic context within which the PROW service operates.
Knowledge of local government decision making processes.
Knowledge of Council policies and procedures relevant to the post.

Experience

Experience in managing public rights of way, highways and/or publicly accessible green space.
Substantial experience of managing and developing multi-disciplinary staff/teams.
Considerable experience of preparation and presentation of information at diverse levels e.g. to Members of Parliament, Elected Members, Senior Council Managers, partners, funders external organisations and members of the public.
Substantial experience of working under pressure to meet deadlines.
Experience of working at a strategic level.
Implementation of performance and management systems.
Extensive experience of the implementation of Rights of Way legislation as a local government officer
Experience in managing projects
Considerable experience of working with landowners (such as farmers)
Substantial experience in working with community groups, volunteers and the general public.
Experience of resolving conflicts and dealing with challenging situations and individuals.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge of the Council’s procurement and contract management systems.
Knowledge and understanding of highway design, construction and maintenance practices and principles.

EXPERIENCE

Representing an Authority at a Public Inquiry

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