West Sussex Area Footpath Officer

West Sussex Area Footpath Officer

Posted for The Ramblers Association - Sussex Area

Posted by Community Works

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This is an opportunity to lead the protection of the vital footpaths and rights of way network across the countryside of West Sussex and ensure walking in the natural environment is accessible to all.

You will coordinate a county-wide team of Local Footpath Wardens and will be responsible for assessing proposals affecting the routes of paths and for developing Ramblers' response to and comments on those proposals, liaising with Ramblers' Central Office and other stakeholders as necessary.

You will represent Ramblers' Sussex Area on rights of way issues with the local authority and at meetings and public events.

To undertake the role you will need to keep up to date with legal and policy information about paths and planning issues nationally as well as in your local area.

You will be a member of the Area Executive Committee and Area Council and will take part in decision-making in relation to key issues affecting Sussex Area Ramblers.

Benefits

The role will offer you the opportunity:

• to use your existing networking skills;
• to develop new skills and knowledge in relation to rights of way issues; and
• to work with a small group of fellow volunteers to influence local policy.

Practical Considerations

You will have the flexibility to determine how you allocate the time you devote to the role, the estimated average time requirement being up to 2 days each week. A significant element of the activities of the role can be carried out working from home, but you will also need to be able to travel within West Sussex to look at locations where proposed footpath orders or planned development could impact rights of way, and to attend internal and external meetings including 4 Area Council Meetings a year, held at Haywards Heath (remote access can be provided by Zoom call). The person in the role should live in Sussex and, if not already a member of the Ramblers, will need to join. 

What skills do I need?

The skills required for the role are to be confident but diplomatic; able to understand complex rights of way and legal issues; be friendly and personable with the ability to influence; and good at presenting arguments in writing and in person.

You should have a passion for walking and for preservation and protection of the natural beauty of the countryside and the special qualities of urban space, and a reasonable knowledge of the county.