Countryside Estate Assistant

The starting salary for this position is £32,512 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week.

Are you passionate about countryside management and looking for an opportunity to build on your career? Do you want to be part of a team which works towards making Surrey a greener place, protecting, and enhancing our valuable natural assets?

If yes, then we want to hear from you!

The Countryside Estate Operations team within the Environment, Transport and Infrastructure directorate at Surrey County Council is seeking to appoint an Countryside Estate Assistant.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About ETI
The Environment, Transport & Infrastructure (ETI) directorate is responsible for a wide range of services including highways, environment, transport, planning, countryside and waste management. These services are critical for people living, working and travelling through Surrey, delivered by the county council or in partnership.

About the Countryside Estate Operations Team
The aim of the Countryside Estate Operations Team is to protect, maintain and improve our 10,000 acre Countryside Estate. We also work with other teams to support delivery of wider environmental projects and objectives. The team undertake a range of management activities across our Countryside Estate, including public access and visitor management, conservation projects and infrastructure projects. We work with partners and tenants to ensure our land is safe, easily accessible for visitors and managed carefully to protect our valuable natural assets.

About the role
As a Countryside Estate Assistant, you will assist with implementing the County Council's statutory and priority countryside management duties, powers and responsibilities on our Countryside Estate.

You will be an enthusiastic self-starter, often working independently on site, inspecting issues and reports. You will undertake a range of practical maintenance tasks and organize work with volunteers, supporting groups and individuals as necessary in order to ensure their personal safety and satisfaction.

You will have good IT and communication skills and able to form excellent relationships with partner organizations, such as: other councils, landowners, contractors, voluntary and community groups.

Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• An interest and understanding of countryside management issues and of practical maintenance techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a range of internal and external teams/bodies.
• Ability to drive or otherwise visit inaccessible locations, sometimes at short notice and a valid driving license will be required. A vehicle is provided.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather and sometimes in difficult terrain.
• Flexibility to work weekends and evenings.

Contact us
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal discussion prior to applying please contact:

• Paul Manwaring (Senior Countryside Officer) on

or

• Steve Mitchell (Countryside Estate Operations Manager) on

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 14th July 2024 with interviews to follow soon after.

To apply, please submit your CV and a supporting statement, outlining how you meet the requirement of this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.